Review: Sonic Dream Team

destructoid.com:

The Sonic franchise has taken many forms, from 2D to 3D, and even a point-and-click game. This time around, we’re dealing with Sonic Dream Team which is a platformer available on various Apple devices through its Arcade.

As a fan of the series, Dream Team‘s concept piqued my curiosity. To my surprise, I’m subscribed to Apple Arcade, allowing me to download the game without forking out any cash. What I discovered is a sterling Sonic platformer that’ll unfortunately fly under the radar for most, despite providing the kind of gameplay fans are always desperate for.

Sonic Dream Team (Mac [reviewed], iOS, iPad, AppleTV)
Developer: Hardlight
Publisher: Sega
Released: December 5, 2023
MSRP: Free for Apple Arcade subscribers

Sonic Dream Team‘s plot is what you’d typically expect from the franchise. Doctor Eggman’s got some device or powerful object he wants to use for evil, and it’s up to Sonic and his friends to stop it. This time around, Eggman’s got the Reverie, a device that can make dreams come true. The story is mostly told through comic-book-style panels that are gorgeous and feature voice acting, which is something I appreciated.

All the Sonic heroes that have become staples of the franchise are present (unfortunately, including the annoying Knuckles), and you can play as them. As the game’s title suggests, you’re thrust into a world that feels fantastical and sometimes downright psychedelic. There is variation in the kinds of environments you encounter, and they each come with their unique style of beauty without deviating from the overarching theme.

The environments were pleasing to look at, and I enjoyed exploring the settings of the different stages. My favorite was Nightmare Maze, which contains waterways