Sonic Dream Team: Unlocking Eggman’s Psyche in a Speedy Skate Park of Dreams

Sonic the Hedgehog Mind-Bending Skateboarding in Dream Land

Sonic’s latest game combines Inception and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater.

Sonic the Hedgehog grinds on a rail in a waterpark-inspired level from Sonic Dream Team (Image: Sega Hardlight/Sega)

Hey there, fellow gamers! Get ready to dive into the wildest dreams of none other than Dr. Eggman himself in the upcoming Sonic Dream Team game. Developed by Sega’s Hardlight studio, this game is like a wild Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater ride on steroids, fused with the mind-bending dreamscapes from Christopher Nolan’s Inception. And guess what? You’ll even get to play as Cream the Rabbit, a brand new character to the Sonic-verse!

Now, hang on to your rings because this game is like nothing you’ve ever played before. The levels in Sonic Dream Team are vibrant and inspired by skate parks. Picture yourself zipping through grind rails, soaring high off halfpipes, and navigating mind-boggling dream architecture. It’s a crazy mashup that’ll have you grinning from ear to ear.

But here’s the twist: these skate-park-inspired levels are designed for replayability. That’s right, amigo! Prepare to run through them multiple times, with different goals each time. You might find yourself hunting for keys to unlock new pathways, racing against the clock to reach the goal, or embarking on a treasure hunt for hidden objects. And let me tell you, the levels morph based on your goals, keeping you on your toes and longing for another go. Oh, and did I mention the enticing collectibles? Blue coins and red stars are scattered throughout, waiting to be snatched up by the speedy blue blur himself.

Cream the Rabbit and her Chao fly through a level of Sonic Dream Team (Image: Sega Hardlight/Sega)

But wait, there’s more! Sonic Dream Team offers a roster of playable characters beyond just Sonic himself. Get ready to also zip around as Amy Rose, Tails, Knuckles, Rouge the Bat, and Cream the Rabbit. Each character brings their own unique abilities to the table. For instance, Knuckles and Rouge can gracefully glide and scale walls, allowing them to reach hidden areas. Tails and Cream, on the other hand, can take to the skies for a limited time. Talk about an adrenaline-fueled team!

Oh, and guess what? You can switch between unlocked characters on the fly during a run. You want to whizz around high in the sky as Tails and then switch to Rouge mid-flight? No problemo! Just make sure you’re standing still while changing characters. We don’t want any mid-air accidents, do we?

Now, here’s the lowdown: Sonic Dream Team isn’t all about combat. Nope, it’s all about maintaining your momentum and finding your flow. Enemies are scattered throughout the levels, but they’re there to help you, my friend. Use your characters’ boost attacks to dash and smash into those bad boys, keeping your speed and rhythm intact. You’ll be chaining together jumps, slides, and boosts of speed like a pro, aiming for that sweet 100% completion and faster times with every run. Get ready for a thrilling, heart-pumping experience!

Knuckles the Echidna jumps through a poisoned level full of thorny vines in Sonic Dream Team (Image: Sega Hardlight/Sega)

But wait, there’s an intriguing story woven into Dream Team’s adrenaline-filled gameplay. Imagine this: Dr. Eggman stumbles upon the Reverie, a dream-catcher-like device with the power to manifest dreams in the real world. Alongside Sonic and his pals, our villainous genius tries to unravel the secrets behind this mind-bending artifact. And joining the team is Ariem, the quirky anthropomorphic sheep and guardian of the Reverie. Here’s a little nod for you grammar nerds out there; Ariem is a pun on REM sleep. Clever, isn’t it?

Now the burning question: where can you embark on this awesome dream adventure? Sonic Dream Team is coming exclusively to Apple Arcade, playable on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. I tried it out on a Mac Mini using a DualSense controller, and let me tell you, the controls were as snappy as Sonic himself. Sega’s Hardlight studio has nailed the readability factor, making sure you won’t miss a beat even at top speed. Just a word of caution: playing on an iPhone with the touchscreen wasn’t as enjoyable, but that’s always been the case with virtual gamepads on screens, right?

So mark your calendars, fellow gamers! Sonic Dream Team debuts on Apple Arcade on December 5th. Whether it’ll eventually grace other platforms is still uncertain, but for now, Apple users have the ultimate bragging rights. Get ready to unlock Eggman’s psyche, experience the thrill of dream-inspired skate parks, and embark on an adventure that’ll leave you chasing dreams both day and night.

What are you most excited about in Sonic Dream Team? Will you be joining the high-speed escapade in Eggman’s dreams? Let us know in the comments below!