Sonic Lost World, released exclusively on Wii U in 2013 - also with a separate 3DS iteration - is a game full of good intentions. It attempted to make 3D Sonic speed more playable; though flawed it was a demonstration of ambition and arguably a step forward for the Sonic Team.
SEGA has been moving a few games to PC, however, and from early November the full HD version of Lost World will no longer be a Wii U exclusive. It's now available for pre-order on Steam at a budget price; in the UK it's just £19.99 for a 2nd November release, and that pre-purchase also includes Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, making it a bargain for PC Sonic fans.
While it's another Wii U 'exclusive' to eventually jump ship, it's understandable that SEGA wants to achieve a few extra sales for the title.
If you're still unsure of whether you want Sonic Lost World, meanwhile, you can see what we thought in our review.
Comments 77
I enjoyed this game mostly all the way up until the stupid emo boss. I hit him probably 30 times but he wouldn't die (even though he constantly sounds like he wishes he would die) and the platforms all disappear. This is one of the first Sonic games I have ever owned that I never finished. The DLC was cool though. I'm one of those that would be happy to have a game that feels like Adventure 1 or 2 again.
I personally liked the game more than any 3D Sonic since Adventure 1.
i wonder if sega well consider to bring sonic boom to PC..,,
other then that, pretty cool see lost worlds come to PC
Keep getting disappointed by ex-exclusives. Resident Evil Revelations was awesome as a 3DS exclusive, and got burned. The whole Rayman WiiU controversy was awful. ZombiU was a nice excuse to own a WiiU but no more. I can't remember every title, but the point is, the WiiU is truly only worth it for Nintendo titles. Might as well skip Fatal Frame (was looking forward to it) because I am pretty sure it will be "remastered" for the PS4 too at some point.
sigh And here I am still waiting for Unleash to get a PC release.
I liked this game. They were trying something new and while it wasn't perfect, it was far from bad too. I hope this PC release brings a little extra sales.
Awesome! Hopefully this will fix any framerate issues. Also the modding community is gonna have a field day with this game, especially with the parkour system.
@gamekill Fatal Frame can't be remastered on PS4 because Nintendo co-owns the IP.
It's a good game that has a rewarding control scheme, get skilled at the game and you really can nail the skill based stages.
However there were a few gimmick based levels and crappy bosses throughout, making it a mixed bag.
A lot of people could never grasp the control scheme though, even wall running was flakey and the Wisps generally detracted from the game rather than adding to it.
@WireWare I hope the same. It would be nice to see a spike in sales, then maybe a port to other consoles to show there's still an appetite for decent Sonic Team 3D Sonic games (though I really hope they just release a more polished game using the Generations engine).
Atlus are kicking Sega's general attitude in the right direction, I expect we'll see better results from future console releases.
P.S. I'm blindly optimistic about Sonic and like to pretend nothing happened between SA2 and Generations and mobile games + Sonic Boom don't exist... so probably disregard everything I said.
I think bundled is the wrong word to use here as it implies it is forever rather than just a pre-order bonus.
The funny thing is SEGA racing had traces of console exclusive characters in it so this could mean Sonic Link and Yoshi have similar but more likely that will that have to left to modders (Sonic community has a dedicated bunch as the Sonic Unleashed day levels mod for Sonic generations shows)
@Seacliff I think the existence of the Sonic Unleashed day levels mod for Sonic generations has killed that happening (the day levels are the better half of the game and a free mod largely offers them)
@IceClimbers @BarryDunne About Nintendo being responsible for the Fatal Frame game.. I was under the impression this was the case with Sonic Lost World (a Nintendo Partnership). Wasn't it?
@gamekill Fatal Frame will only come to Nintendo systems, Nintendo owns part of the franchise meaning it will not leave its systems.
Ah well, this one probably wasn't selling a lot of Wii U's anyway, and I'm interested in seeing what the modding community can come up with.
@IceClimbers I don't remember Lost World having any framerate issues?
@gamekill Sonic Lost World was part of a 3 game deal with Nintendo (the other games being Mario & Sonic at Sochi and Sonic Boom Rise of Lyric/Shattered Crystal). We never knew the details of that exclusivity contract. Obviously, we now know that the games had a timed exclusivity, after which Sega was free to do as they please with the games (well, except for Mario & Sonic for obvious reasons).
Fatal Frame is an IP that Nintendo co-owns. Only Fatal Frame 1-3 are on non-Nintendo systems, as they were available on the PS Store on PS3 before Nintendo became co-owner. Future games are Nintendo exclusive from here on out unless Nintendo decides otherwise.
@gamekill Nintendo owns the rights to fatal frame now and has for the last ten years.
@faint Thanks for the info, was not aware of that. Maybe I will get the WiiU game then.
if it comes to steam, I'll pick it up on a humble bundle or 85% of sale
Awful game. Run! Run away!
I really enjoyed Sonic Lost World. Got it for $20, def worth it for that price.
Off topic but I wonder if some kind of fatal frame AR game will come to mobile. Seems a reasonable fit and it could be done well.
Good thing this game is already 60FPS on console!
Despite this PC port, the Wii U version of Sonic Lost World still has value on its own merit for its two Nintendo-themed free DLC stages.
@bluemage1989 they already made one for the 3ds (spirit camera) so they could port it with some tweeks. Might work better do to the superior camera
Yet to play this, but recently downloaded the Zelda and Yoshi levels - I'm rather excited to try them, but just a big bogged down by higher priority games right now. They seem like exactly the sort of thing Nintendo should do more of with their 3rd party games - for example, playing as DK in Skylanders has truly elevated an otherwise pedestrian if pleasant franchise.
A significantly underappreciated game. It won't set anyone's world on fire, but it's fun and worth the price tag.
@electrolite77 How is it an awful game? I mean sure some parts suck, but it's not as awful as boom, the storybook series, or the wearhog.
Alright, this is sort of on-topic...ish.
I have an unloved Mario Maker homage to Sonic Adventure 2 City Escape: F66B-0000-0069-B1E2
Spots the ban hammer
Forgive me!
Runs
I'm starting to believe more and more that all Sonic's gonna get for his 25th Anniversary next year is a "Remastered" XBONE/PS4 port of Generations...
Good riddance.
What? But Sonic Lost Worlds isn't even a pure SEGA game, it's more of a Nintendo game! All those Mario Galaxy elements and if I remember correctly, the game was also co-developed by Nintendo's developers. So how can a Nintendo game come to PC?
Shocker. I do love these games though. Could never beat either one of them due to poor level design but, I had a great time with them.
@LilC
It's a terrible game. Just because there are others out there (including games from the same franchise) that are worse doesn't mean anything.
@DarthNocturnal What does Mario Kart keep messing up?
@CTMike Sonic Unleashed used the Hedgehog Engine, which was also used in both Generations and Lost World.
@shani Nintendo had nothing to do with Lost World's development.
@IceClimbers 60 fps Throughout
@Kage_88 But Unleashed night levels hurt my feelings...
But yeah, that makes sense. I'm happy with engine in that case, they should reuse it
@Whopper744 Same. I've 100% the 3DS version, but the Wii U version I haven't touched since I rage quit the lava zone Lol. 1st Sonic game I haven't finished
I'm a pretty big fan of Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed. I got it on the Vita as a well as the Wii U. I actually like the Vita better, as it seems to have tighter controls and is a little less "buggy" than the Wii U version. Definitely worth a look if you like arcade style racing games.
Wow.....the fact that the contract itself meant the exclusive part was just a small attempt to only make Nintendo more like a fool. They can't even honor Iwata-San by keeping it as exclusive. The fact that it sold well enough for the Wii U doesn't matter to them? Wow.
So that mean that SEGA barely made a decent exclusive Sonic game for the Nintendo systems of this current gen. Way to disappoint fans SEGA. >:<
Sonic's Lost Cause
i might finally get it now
I honestly liked Lost World. Is is perfect? No. But is it as bad as it's made out to be? Well no, at least not in my opinion.
The DLC was brilliant, and I really like most of the game. Although I never found much use for any of the power-ups.
It was exclusive for over a year, and the Nintendo DLC is still exclusive, right? No biggie.
I still wish that Nintendo had gotten Sega to do something other than Sonic as part of the contract. Phantasy Star, Panzer Dragoon, Shining Series, Sega GT, Skies of Arcadia, Virtual Fighter, or even Madworld would have worked.
I don't think anyone bought a Wii U to play a Sonic game. I bought the game, but it was more about blind luck the control system let you progress than skill. Sega have really dragged Sonic through the mud to a point almost no one cares any more, and they need to just steady the ship with a well crafted, basic game.
Sonic Lost World is a great game; Wii U and 3DS versions are both equally great. SEGA are making a good decision here. Though I think they should just go with porting it to Xbox One & PS4 as well. Its a game that many should play. Wii U & 3DS version hasn't even reached 1 million sales yet. This PC port makes sense - sales wise.
"...released exclusively on Wii U in 2013 - also with a separate 3DS iteration..."
This is kind of a contradictory statement to me. I think it'd be better if it just read, "...released exclusively on Wii U and 3DS in 2013..."
@electrolite77 What I meant to say was can you at least explain why it's a terrible game? I can admit, the last couple zones are horrible, but the first half of the game is pretty good. And if you use the argument "Well half of the game shouldn't suck"(which is true), look at sonic adventure 2 (which is supposedly the best sonic game ever, but managed to screw up the radar from adventure one, and put tails in a mech). I just think this game gets way to much hate, and it deserves a sequel. My problem with Sonic lost world is bad level design in the later half, way too many 2D sections, and the story is all over the place. It's not perfect, but it's definitely not the worst sonic game ever like people make it out to be. Also, sure the level design looks a little bit like Mario Galaxy, but there definitely is not as much of an emphasis on gravity based platforming.
It really isn't that bad of a game, and might have done well enough on the Wii U if people had known the system existed.
So Ninty DIDN'T buy Sega, after all... raise shields
@Artwark that's business in the adult world kiddo
Haven't played a Sonic game in ages! Might give Lost World a try someday...
I mean you COULD buy Lost World. Or buy ANY other Sonic Game pre Boom and have a much better and more enjoyable experience.
This game should get a psn and xbla release too, otherwise Sega is making yet another stupid move.
The PC version won't have the Legend of Zelda Zone or Yoshi's Island Zone, though!
@Not_Soos the WiiU version is different from the 3ds version. So it was exclusive to the WiiU and had a 3ds companion.
Sonic Lost World?... more like Sonic Lost Exclusive! XD... anyone... anyone... yeah I know its not funny :l
Wait, how is this going to work if you can't stop playing the game to look at your gamepad to read tutorial messages?!
Lost World could've been a great game, if they would've removed the dreadful homing attack. That is the worst gameplay idea ever to come to modern Sonic games.
I almost bought it just because of the DLCs, but since the demo just failed because of the horrible forced homing attack sections of the levels, I decided to put my money elsewhere to other Wii U software.
The levels were otherwise really nice and it seemed that Sonic Team might finally succeed. Also the musics are far from the quality that was in Sonic 1&2&3, that's also one thing that Sega has completely lost since transforming from 2D Sonics to 3D.
@LilC
It has an awful camera and dreadful slippy controls that make playing it feel entirely based on luck. The level design that I saw was pretty uninspired too but to be honest you could have the best levels in the world, if the basics don't work its a bad game. Sonic Adventure 2 was pretty bad also.
@Artwark
What on Earth? It was obviously only ever a timed exclusive which Nintendo will have known when they signed the contract. Where has all this over-emotional stuff about making Nintendo look a fool or not honouring Iwata's memory come from? Bizarre.
Meh... the Wii U version wasn't good, 3ds version is better
Umm... what happened to Nintendo and Sega's exclusitivity deal!?
Have fun with all the crashing, lol!
@Whopper744 The way that boss works is that you need to hit him with the misiles he throws to knock him off. Lost World features Homing Attack Overlaping Lock. This means the more you hold the jump button before attacking the more hits it counts as.
@123akis the 3DS version was more linear though
I'm really not that bothered. I just want more Sonic games and hopefully this will help as they will generate more sales. I wonder if they'll port Sonic Boom.
@Nintendo_Ninja how?
@DarthNocturnal I agree, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is a great game, better than recent Mario Kart in a number of ways. I think it's because it's more similar to Diddy Kong Racing, although everybody compares it to Mario Kart. It's more Diddy, and that's a good thing.
I never cared for Lost World. The demo didn't sell me when the game initially released, which makes sense since I haven't enjoyed a 3D Sonic game in quite some time. However, I definitely recommend everyone to pick up All Stars Racing Transformed. I love that game, I had it on my Wii U and 3DS (ended up trading them in for the VITA and PC version). One of the best racing games I've ever played and the only real contender to Mario Kart in terms of kart racers.
If anyone's thinking about getting this game, it's worth it! It's really fun and has a great level of difficulty. I prefer the Wii U version, but the 3DS version isn't bad either. The time attacks trying to get all S ranks is challenging, but completely doable. The Wall Running mechanic is also really cool, there are so many different paths to explore with this feature!
The future: Bring all trashy WiiU games to PC.
Devil's Third, Sonic Lost World, now maybe 30 Family Games or anything Ubisoft.
@DarthNocturnal I see. I still prefer Mario Kart myself, but I definitely understand your points. Though your last grievance was more of an opinion than anything - there is nevertheless signs that Nintendo may incorporate more franchises into MK in the future. I reckon the Zelda and Animal Crossing DLC is just the start 😊
On topic; the 3DS version of Lost World was possibly the worst game I've ever played on 3DS; just awful.
The Wii U version - while better - was still very average. The visuals were gorgeous and the sound was brilliant, but it falls into that old Sonic trap of poorly designed levels and overly-complicated gameplay. I get the impression that Sonic fans who ardently defend the games don't really understand effective game construction. Sonic Team simply doesn't have the design chops possessed by Nintendo.
Aww, no Sonic Boom? Actually, I liked Lost World, frustrating as it was.
@Dankykong As said by many players before, Lost World does not have bad design. When people complain about it it is because they die too often in this game. Expert reviewers are very divided about this game: some love it and other hate it. It is, however, more difficult than Genesis Sonic games. I think people think Lost World was bad because they have compared the game with Mario games, which tend to have strong exploration aspect. But does Mario Galaxy has bad levels? Yes - I still remember trying to stump the beetle boss which flies around a bush for 30 minutes but still could not kill it because players could not perceive the 3D distance on a 2D screen. I still remember playing those pinball stage for 30 minutes but keep dying because of poor control.
@Kage_88 You have missed Made in Wario (basically trash) and Mario U.
@electrolite77 Okay, we're going to have to agree to disagree on this. "Sonic Adventure 2" nailed almost everything in making an excellent 3D Sonic game, the only real exception being the treasure hunting levels. (Yes, Tails is in a mech, but the mech gameplay is still great fun; get over it). It also has one of the few good competitive multiplayer modes in the entire franchise. I consider it the third best main series Sonic game after "Sonic 3 & Knuckles" and "Sonic 2."
The 3D sections of Unleashed and Colors, however, make everything too much of a race without any real platforming or exploration and a lame boost move which only makes the problem worse of not being able to react quickly enough to upcoming threats (something that was minimized with the great controls and level design of the classic games and the Adventure duology).
"Lost World" is a welcome return to form for the gameplay system with dumping the boost move for the return of the spin dash and slower platforming and exploration sections. Bad camera?! It keeps it automatically behind the back with just minimal manual adjustments like the Adventure duology and any good 3D platformer does (aside from ones that rely on fixed viewpoints). This is especially welcome with the gravity mechanics unlike the lousy completely manual camera system in "Super Mario Galaxy." It may have some technical issues and some lousy level design later in the game, but the game is overall pretty good, certainly leagues better than Sonic '06, the storybook duology, or Boom on Wii U and probably quite a bit better than Unleashed as well.
@DarthNocturnal All excellent points. Also, the Sega racing games have good Battle Modes, somethng Mario Kart hasn't done right since Double Dash.
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