A new Sonic title is always a momentous occasion, and following the success of Sonic Frontiers and Sonic Mania, the franchise feels like it's on a roll. Sonic Superstars promises to take it in new directions with brand-new Zones, Emerald Powers and four-player co-op, a venerable first.

However, despite solid controls, interesting ideas and detailed environments, the platformer has several fundamental issues. Its lighting feels uneven and significantly worsens the presentation. The soundtrack is forgettable at best and poorly mixed at worst.

Yet, the level design, the Zones themselves, is the biggest offender. From excessively annoying gimmicks that ruin the flow and go against Sonic's fundamental appeal to tediously cumbersome co-op sections, they fight against the controls at every turn.

It's not the worst game in the series, but Sonic Superstars is the most disappointing in recent years.

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