Sonic Dream Team
| Sonic Dream Team | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Hardlight |
| Publisher(s) | SEGA |
| Series | Sonic the Hedgehog |
| Platform(s) | iOS, MacOS, tvOS |
| Release | December 5, 2023 |
| Genre(s) | Platformer |
Sonic Dream Team is a platforming game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is developed by Hardlight and published by SEGA for Apple Arcade. The game was released on December 5, 2023.
Gameplay
Sonic Dream Team is a 3D platformer which follows Sonic the Hedgehog and his friends through various levels taking place inside of Doctor Eggman's dreams. The game features six playable characters; Sonic, Amy Rose, Tails, Cream the Rabbit, Knuckles the Echidna and Rouge the Bat. In addition to performing homing attacks and boost dashes, Sonic and Amy can Light Dash through rows of rings, Tails and Cream can fly for short periods of time, and Knuckle and Rouge can glide and climb up walls. Players can switch between available characters in order to use their abilities to reach areas of each level others can't. The game features open-ended levels, with the goal to collect Dream Orbs to progress through the story. Some levels also have additional missions that require specific characters to beat. Additional items can unlock bonus content.[1] The game features both touch screen controls and controller support.[2]
Synopsis
Doctor Eggman has discovered the Reverie, an ancient device capable of making dreams come true. Upon learning of the doctor's plans to conquer the world using this object, Sonic and his friends travel through the villain's dreamscapes to thwart his ambitions.[2]
Development
According to Creative Director Dan Rossati, the intention of the gameplay was to "make a game that allowed players to get into an exhilarating flow state," comparing playing the game to, "skate parks and bobsled runs with rounded corners" that is designed to maintain the player's flow as they run through each of the zones.[3]
The announcement trailer was released on November 1, 2023, with the music composed by Tee Lopes. A subsequent trailer with the game's opening animation was released on November 22, 2023, with animation by Powerhouse Animation.[4]
Reception
Sonic Dream Team received generally favorable reviews, with some critics even saying it is the game that "3D Sonic games fans have been waiting for for a long time".[5]
Several reviewers praised its aesthetics, engaging goals and game feel, while also calling the story "bland" and the game very short.[2][6][7]
References
- ^ "Making Sonic "Feel More Dreamy Than [It] Already Does" - Sonic Dream Team Interview". Screenrant. December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ a b c d McWhertor, Michael (11 November 2023). "Sonic the Hedgehog's new game melds Inception and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ^ "'Sonic Dream Team' Interview – Studio Creative Director Dan Rossati on the Game's Vision, Cream and Rouge Being Playable, Platform Choices, Working With Apple, and More". TouchArcade. November 30, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ "'Sonic Dream Team' Opening Animation Video Directed by Tyson Hesse, Animated by Powerhouse Animation, and Composed by Tee Lopes Released Ahead of Next Month's Launch". Touch Arcade. November 22, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ a b Halliday, Eric (5 December 2023). "Sonic Dream Team review: A welcome surprise to Apple Arcade". AppTrigger. Minute Media. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
Despite a barebones story, this is the 3D Sonic games fans have been waiting for for a long time.
- ^ a b Colantonio, Giovanni (4 December 2023). "Sonic Dream Team review: the hedgehog's latest adventure has momentum". Digital Trends. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ^ a b Musgrave, Shaun (6 December 2023). "'Sonic Dream Team' Apple Arcade Review – Sweet Dreams Are Fleeting". TouchArcade. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ^ Reed, Chris (8 December 2023). "A zippy, delightful 3D platformer that brings Sonic back to the (3D) basics". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 12 December 2023.