The iconic Blue Blur is back, but is giving the legs a break for a chance to prove his dominance in a car. In Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, players can get behind the wheel as some of the favorite Sonic characters and prove their prowess in a number of fast-paced, action-packed game modes.
CrossWorlds is a lot of fun for gamers of all ages and skill levels, but it can be quite overwhelming from the start, as it is on the fast end of the racing game spectrum. With this in mind, taking note of these beginner tips for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will help to slow things down and have you conquering the racetrack in no time.
Don't Settle For One Race Build
It's a matter of trial and error
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds features a variety of racetracks and game modes, that one build will not necessarily fit them all. To add a spanner to the works, warping to a random CrossWorld for a race’s second lap means you can never really be prepared for what the race has in store for you. In saying that, the best way you can prepare is by building for the game mode or base track you are racing on.
CrossWorlds allows you to customize your car in a seemingly endless number of ways, with each car having a primary vehicle stat from which you develop your build. While you may not necessarily need one for every single vehicle stat in the game, it’s wise to have a few that can handle various race scenarios, such as a slower track or a game mode that emphasizes combat over racing.
Spam Air Tricks
Stylish and speedy
One way you can pick up some speed in a heartbeat and win that next Grand Prix is by treating your car like a skateboard and doing air tricks. Air tricks are one of the main ways players can get a quick burst of speed, the potency of which will depend on how many tricks you successfully manage to pull off before landing.
Thankfully, CrossWorlds isn’t a game that punishes you by slowing you down from a failed trick. In fact, it’s actually impossible to stumble from doing tricks, so spam your trick stick until you land to maximize on the boost you get from performing them.
Don't Ignore Handling
Control wins races
Every vehicle stat in CrossWorlds, or any popular racing simulator, really, is super important, but many players fail to recognize just how effective a car with good handling is on the racetrack. Sure, speed is a must if you want to outpace other drivers, but neglecting vehicle control for speed will only slow you down, on account of hitting railings or falling off the track more frequently.
This is where handling comes in. If you can take turns smoothly or react quickly to incoming items from other racers, you’ll be well on your way to taking and keeping the lead. Speed is good, but handling is everything in a game like this, where the majority of tracks have a lot of twists, turns, and tight corners.
Stock Up on Gold Rings
Hit that magic 100
Gold rings are pretty common place in all the Sonic games, but they play a slightly different role in CrossWorlds. If you want to give your top speed a little boon, then make it your mission to collect, and keep hold of, a minimum of 100 gold rings. There are gadget you can use to increase your ring capacity, but 100 is the magic number.
Gold rings are impossible to miss on the racetrack, but it’s keeping them that becomes the challenge. You can easily lose them by bumping into other drivers or obstacles, as well as falling victim to items, but there are some gadgets available that can help reduce the fallout from damaging race scenarios.
Chain Your Drifts
Skid into first place
Another great way to earn yourself a boost during a race is by drifting. Drifting through corners will fill your boost bar up to three times per drift, or four with the use of a particular gadget. Depending on how many times you fill the gauge, your car will shoot out of the corner with a lot more pace.
One strategy you may want to employ, however, is chaining your drifts. In instances where multiple corners are in proximity to one another, consider quickly changing directions from one corner to another and holding the drift longer, instead of letting it go and starting a new one. Chaining your drifts will continue your boost progress uninterrupted, meaning you can come out of a series of tight bends with a level three or four boost, instead of multiple small ones.
Use Attacking/Boosting Items Defensively
The best offense is a good defense
It is very, very difficult to avoid being hit by obstacles and items during a race, but there are some strategies you can employ to, at the very least, give you a fighting chance to avoid taking damage and being slowed down by hostile objects. In close races or late-race scenarios where there is no room for error, holding onto the right item could be the difference between 1st and 12th.
If you’re in a favorable position in the race, consider holding onto defensive items like the shield or tornado, or even boost items, as triggering them at the right time can cancel out any incoming damage. In fact, you’ll be prompted when it is the right time to use an item, so you can avoid being on the receiving end of a potentially devastating projectile that steals your win or podium finish.
Keep Tweaking Your Gadget Loadouts
The possibilities are endless
In addition to having an abundance of vehicle customization options, players also have a hefty archive of gadgets they can equip for their car. In fact, you can have up to five different loadouts set at any time, so between the number of car builds you can amass and the number of gadget builds you can craft, there really are an absurd amount of potential vehicle makeups.
As you increase the tier of your gadget plate, you’ll have up to six gadget slots to fill for your car. Some gadgets will require three slots, while others only two or three, and they cover areas like vehicle stat boosts, gold ring buffs, and even item improvements. Real estate is in short supply for the number of potential gadgets you can equip, so choose wisely.