REVIEW: Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity

Developer: SEGA| Publisher: SEGA | Format: Wii

Reviewer: Craig J Gallagher
The most important aspect of any Sonic game has always been speed,
games generally involve our beloved blue hedgehog racing through level
after level collecting rings before the timer runs out. The inevitable
spin off game was always going to be a racing game, which we got a few
years back on the GameCube in the form of Sonic Riders. It was an
entertaining romp, which while relatively short lived provided ample
fun. Now on the Wii comes the long awaited sequel, Sonic Riders: Zero
Gravity.

There are a number of different modes to choose from once the game
boots up. The main mode, is off course Story. In it you must stop a
horde of evil robots from claiming a meteorite which attracts the
robots making them homicidal killing machines. Normal Race offers up
two choice modes, free race in which you can play with up to four
friends on any of the tracks you have unlocked and Time Attack in which
you must race against the clock and use your best times on a world
leader board. You can download other racers speeds and then try and
beat it, as they can do with your times.

The rest of the modes are Survival and Battle, which are somewhat
self explanatory. Up to four players can play each mode which is a god
send due to the rather lack struck AI evident in the game. It’s a shame
that there is no online mode bar the uploading of high scores and
downloading of other players “ghosts”. A true online mode would have
been a god send due to the fact that the game lends its self so well to
mass multiplayer.

When viewing Sonic Riders the only real comparable game is Mario
Kart. Both feature seasoned fan favourites in a genre unfamiliar to
themselves. Unlike Mario Kart, Sonic Riders lack the immense likability
and fun though the pick up and play mentality of the game more than
makes up for this. The main drawback to the game, is that for a game
based upon speed Sonic Riders lacks a true sense of speed and at times
feels pedestrian.

For a Sonic game, Zero Gravity is a disappointment, it lacks the
likability of a classic Sonic title. But taken as a multiplayer Wii
game, it’s an enjoyable play which guarantees repeat gaming visits due
to the immensely easy pick up and play aspects. While far from a
classic it remains an above average title which lends its self
perfectly to multiplayer.