Leveling up unlocks new mods for your racer. The mods mix around the stats to increase stuff like acceleration, speed, handling, etc, typically at the expense of some other stat. As for tips on A races: Try to chain boosts as much as you possibly can, and never, ever even scrape a wall much less plow into one. Walls reduce your speed a ton, even if you're just grazing them once in a while. Try to: Maximize the number of flips you can do off certain drops & ledges (more flips typically means more speed from the resulting boost) Get transform boosts (by flipping when you're transforming, like into a boat or plane ) Hit all possible booster pads Make sure to detonate the Hot Rod item before it overheats and slows you down Always always always try to get the highest drift bonus possible, and without sliding against walls! Don't forget to max out your start boost, the details of which are discussed higher up in the thread. Don't forget to attack your opponents when you're in All-Star mode. Every all-star attack is different, make sure you know how yours works, and use it right. These can be game changers. Beyond that, you might actually find some of the slower vehicles perform better in A races than the fastest ones because they'll typically have much better handling (which is great for keeping you from plowing into shit) and acceleration (which helps recover from item attacks and wall/scenery collisions). If you're good at staying boosted (without hitting walls and stuff) for most of the race, you can also focus on vehicles with a high Boost stat, but I haven't relied on that stat too much, as a balance of acceleration/handling and speed have seemed to outweigh any of the other combos I've tried thus far -- at least with my driving style. And finally, sometimes it comes down to just finding that key vehicle that works best on any one map, without a bunch of fiddling with vehicle mods and unlocks -- such as specifically using an acceleration vehicle on those maps I haven't completely memorized (or have a feel for), where I seem to do nothing but grind against walls and barriers all day.
I picked up this game on the 360 tonight and man, I just love it so much. It's a shame nobody here apparently played it in time for it to make the GOTY poll.
You make a good point, but since it didn't come out on some platforms until this year it might qualify for this year's GOTY vote, if the rules stay the same as they were last time. And if it's ever ported to the next gen consoles it will probably qualify again in the future.
Oh I didn't see that the PC version just came out. Yay! It really is a treasure and it's a shame that it's destined to be overlooked by many, so I'm glad it's not being overlooked here (anymore).
I seriously would never have noticed or thought twice about this game in ten million years if Zeke didn't create this thread and hype it with the intensity that he did.
You're welcome. Also, for A races, don't forget you can switch your drift direction. That's a fucking game changer in a lot of areas (release brake, switch direction, reapply in a quick, smooth motion) since you can keep turning and not waste boost, and you may get it up to a higher level. That's another big part of boost chaining. Remember, boost stacks in this. You hit a boost while you're already boosting, you get EXTRA BOOST.
They did a great job of taking a fairly simple system and putting in enough variables that skill and execution are greatly rewarded. If you can figure out how to Drift into Boost pads without hitting walls you can get ahead, but that's no easy task by a long shot. It's quite a bit of fun learning though, and very rewarding once you start getting it right.
Some new DLC for this game just hit Steam this morning. It's $2.99 and gives you the following: Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Metal Sonic & Outrun DLC (link) Metal Sonic in his unique transforming vehicle + handling mods Outrun Bay track, based on the iconic arcade game, + time trials Exclusive emoticon stickers for your in game license.
Ah damn I got excited when I saw this first part. I already have all that stuff, guys! Bring on the new DLC that I assume is forthcoming! Still having a blast with this game by the way. I love the way all the special challenge levels are fun variations that still make good use of the core mechanics, not tacked-on filler.
It's been a heck of a challenge going back through and trying to beat levels on Expert. I don't feel like the computer cheats, but they don't make many mistakes either so you've really got to be on your game and outplay them to win.
Well, if it cheats it does it in a way that isn't overt. I've not explicitly noticed the computer doing anything that I couldn't potentially do myself in any race so far.
No what? Were you seriously asking for confirmation? Like, what, I have a secret source at Sega or some shit? What the fuck? Do you think I'm gonna go hack some code or something? Don't be an idiot. play the game, you'll figure it out. Jesus Christ, it's not like I give shit that it cheats, that's what games tend to fucking do.
Geez, don't have a crap attack. All I was asking for was something a little more concrete than a hunch. For example, the TV Tropes page about this has an entire Mario Kart section, which starts off by saying this: Hey look, confirmed cheating AI, no hacking required. As opposed to, you know, most of the time that people claim the AI is cheating, when they're actually just not as good at the game as the AI is.
I figured out you can charge this up. If you hit it between the 3 and the 2, then the 2 and the 1, you get a double boost (purple exhaust!).
This game is on sale for $15 at GMG (link). You can also use this voucher for an additional 20% off: GMG20-P4DLK-FKYRS If you've been on the fence, get a move on. Requires Steam.
I just got the game thanks to a Steam sale and I have to say I really love it. I do agree it's better than Mario Kart, which I completely lost interest with and with 64 I think being the best (I've not played 7 though, but I have no desire to) Part of it may have to do with me being a pretty big closet Sonic fan, and I also enjoy a lot of other Sega games (like Skies and Jet Grind Radio) while I was never really into Mario all that much aside from Mario Bros on NES. This game is so full of fanservice it's amazing. It's also really hard on the higher difficulties, but I find that makes it all the more satisfying when you win. And the AI is a jerk, but fair. Funnily I noticed in Easy mode the AI pretty much sabotages itself, I've seen them drive fine one moment and then purposely crash into something. It's pretty funny. I really love that Vyse and Ulala are in the game. I also really like the Burning Rangers level and Skies of Arcadia level, and the Jet Grind Radio one is my favorite. I can't stand the Billy Hatcher level though...I guess they wanted to make the level as frustrating as the game was. I'm disappointed that Purge isn't in the game though. Why is Pudding there, when from what I gather she's the most disliked character in Space Channel 5, but Purge isn't, who seems to be the 2nd most popular after Ulala? I hope the next game has Purge in it. I hope the next game has unlockable outfits and a different appearance of the cart depending on the mod. And it would be amazing if they had a Shining Force level, I worry they have forgotten about that game.
