SONIC & ALL-STARS RACING TRANSFORMED (PC)

Two years ago, Sonic the Hedgehog had ventured on the side of crazy races with bonuses galore, in the line of a plumber. Too uninspired to be convincing, Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing is not sufficiently exploited the Sega universe and relied too heavily on the Sonic franchise. But the first game was a warm-up lap, because here Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, a series that has to learn the lessons of its predecessor.

PC version: This is a surprise to anyone, the PC version of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is the most technically accomplished and far. Locally as multi-line, the game displays a fluidity at all times, the graphics beautiful, short, one would expect from a game that the famous hedgehog before. Hiccups console versions seem far away, and the proposed rate - twice the frame rate lower for at least doubled - we can clearly say that the wait was worth it. This adaptation is also the luxury multiply winks at the PC world by introducing three pilots, with the samurai of the Shogun Total War series (class) and soccer players of Football Manager (less class). We gain charisma with the Pyro, Heavy and the Spy Team Fortress 2 which is embedded in the party, the one replacing the other depending on the type of vehicle - which changes depending on the configuration of the race. Only small through this version: a console interface instead configuration options outside the game (including recognition controller), or forget to include a more practical than the Windows Alt + F4 return. We would also like to be able to easily silence the other competitors once online with peit mute for much relous. But for the rest, it's all good.


LESS BUT MORE

After a pit stop, Sonic has thought and seems to have found a partial answer: the transformation. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed indeed has the distinction of offering convertible vehicles, capable of moving the car to the boat or airplane in a wink. If some thought to see a blatant plagiarism of Mario Kart 7, joystick in hand, it is not. Indeed, the title of Sega goes further and offers gameplay and a truly different feel for the three means of locomotion, where he played more Nintendo map gimmick. As for feelings, it is actually closer to a Diddy Kong Racing.

Shogun in the world NightsMais in practice, no races dedicated solely to the plane or boat: each course alternates segments dedicated to one type of vehicle. The transition from one to the other, marked with a big blue arc of a circle, is fluidly. Better still, the circuits evolve As the race, and they can sometimes make a drive and repeat the same plane, and discovering new passages, but also new challenges. Sonic Racing Transformed performs a true staging of these developments, and the first of the race in general the chance to discover the causes: a bridge collapses, the arrival of a hostile fleet, a raging monster opens new paths ... Nice way to justify the use of different vehicles.


I WAS SPECTACULÉ!

The showmanship was already present in Sonic Racing Transformed exploits but thoroughly. As in the first episode, the flow is not optimal but the result is still very pleasing to the eye, with environments teeming with detail and animation. And especially among the twenty circuits, it is this time of the variety and only Sonic the environment: Golden Axe, Panzer Dragoon, After Burner, Skies of Arcadia ... Note however that four courses are recycled from the previous episode. Like the Sonic levels, different races have many different ways. Side track, it has taken a huge step between the two episodes. Twenty course, it's still not much, but as the towers do not always look the same, it awakens interest.

There are of course most of the drivers of the first episode, although many of them are unfortunately gone by the wayside (farewell Banjo, Ryo Hazuki, the Chu chu, Opa-Opa, guys Virtua Fighter ...). Of course, newcomers arrive: the title eg Nights welcomes the eponymous game, Gilius Golden Axe, Vyse from Skies of Arcadia, Joe Musashi from Shinobi, but Danica Patrick, driver that comes from our "real" world and modeled for the occasion, or Ralph, the video game hero hitherto fictitious the next Disney. In total, no less than 23 characters with whom you can play, which is not much more than in Sonic Racing, but this time they are ten on the track. Well, sure, we would certainly want a larger rather than replacements and characters to limit the duplicate cast, but the choice is already extensive.


I'VE GOT A FEELING

We can say that Sonic Racing Transformed be redeemed is one. If the three means of locomotion prove handy and each have a different approach (grip, cornering speed ...), we also note that driving is less automated than in Sonic Racing goodbye, strange that we collisions remettaient squarely in the right way. To quibble, one might say that it lacks still sometimes a little pep under the hood. If we find the same classic but effective system skids and figures for turbos and the usual items. If representation is a most original hair in the previous episode, the effects have nothing transcendent, and even bonus "all-star" has lost some of its luster.

Sonic Racing Transformed manages to make a little personal touch away some of the sacrosanct Grand Prix mode (although it is still present) with a main mode consists of tests. Specifically, players are invited to unlock game content gleaning stars in different missions, each with three levels of difficulty. If we can pester a little against its linearity, this mode is still well designed and really allows us to experience the game from all angles. It also helps to gain experience for the drivers to unlock mods altering their statistics. What a clever way to overcome the impossibility of separating a driver his favorite vehicle!


THE HOUSE OF THE FUN

Beside the career mode and prize mode, there is the never-ending race against the clock, as well as the different modes designed for multiplayer who like to fight in arenas, local or line. We will say yes, to many, it will still be shopping, more inventive, hold our attention. The final impression is still that of a game that has learned from its mistakes, despite the flaws that remain entrenched as the loading time really breadsticks or frame rate still too low compared to our requirements . But the effort is there, and they have borne fruit.