The textbook definition of the 'I don't know what the fuck I'm doing but I really like it' game.
My biggest compliment to the game is that it feels distinguished and unique among every Sonic title for its more urban, uber-cool techno style, sort of like something that would complement Hideki Naganuma's music. The controls, while a bit confusing and wonky (why is there such a long delay on the jump?), are fun once you get the hang of it (doing tricks mid-air is fucking cool, baby), but some gimmicks like the turbulence and air recharge stations felt like completely unnecessary additions to an already souped up Mario Kart.
My biggest problem by far with the game is the story mode. Playing Sonic Riders in single-player mode is satisfactory and refreshing; the story mode, with its absurd difficulty and strict demands for absolute perfection in almost every race, just feels tedious to go through, especially when the AI is programmed to race flawlessly. Sure, it does add to the identity of the Babylon Rogues being incredibly skilled Extreme Gear riders, but from a gameplay standpoint I just couldn't bring myself to finishing Green Cave after countless attempts at trying to best Wave's stupidly difficult lap times.
Overall, still a great game, despite its many flaws, much like the Adventure Era titles. Will be the game I think of when people talk about games they enjoy despite not knowing what the fuck they're doing.
My biggest compliment to the game is that it feels distinguished and unique among every Sonic title for its more urban, uber-cool techno style, sort of like something that would complement Hideki Naganuma's music. The controls, while a bit confusing and wonky (why is there such a long delay on the jump?), are fun once you get the hang of it (doing tricks mid-air is fucking cool, baby), but some gimmicks like the turbulence and air recharge stations felt like completely unnecessary additions to an already souped up Mario Kart.
My biggest problem by far with the game is the story mode. Playing Sonic Riders in single-player mode is satisfactory and refreshing; the story mode, with its absurd difficulty and strict demands for absolute perfection in almost every race, just feels tedious to go through, especially when the AI is programmed to race flawlessly. Sure, it does add to the identity of the Babylon Rogues being incredibly skilled Extreme Gear riders, but from a gameplay standpoint I just couldn't bring myself to finishing Green Cave after countless attempts at trying to best Wave's stupidly difficult lap times.
Overall, still a great game, despite its many flaws, much like the Adventure Era titles. Will be the game I think of when people talk about games they enjoy despite not knowing what the fuck they're doing.