As a lifelong Sonic the Hedgehog fan, I've had a rough couple of decades supporting the iconic blue blur. It's fair to say that the franchise has been hit and miss since as far back as 1998, but it always warms my heart to see Classic Sonic, who is set to make a triumphant return in Sonic Superstars, and there's an exciting twist that took even me by surprise. Naoto Ohshima, Sonic's original designer, is coming back to design an all-new villain.

The reveal trailer for Sonic Superstars showcases a delightful blend of the series' classic 2D side-scrolling action with stunning 3D graphics. The game introduces a charming new art style that distinguishes it from previous entries, featuring adorable character models that remind me of the Classic Sonic stages from Generations and Forces. The return of Ohshima has me hopeful that we don't have a Sonic 4 on our hands.

Naoto Ohshima is renowned for creating the distinct appearances of Sonic and his arch-nemesis, Dr Eggman (also known as Robotnik here in the west). In Sonic Superstars, Ohshima will be revisiting these beloved characters and introducing a new antagonist for Sonic and his friends to face. This marks Ohshima's first involvement with the series since Sonic Adventure, which launched way back in 1998 on the Sega Dreamcast.

In addition to the new adversary, Sonic will again confront Eggman, who has randomly teamed up with Fang the Sniper from Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble on the Sega Game Gear. I wouldn't blame you for not knowing who Fang the Sniper is, but it's heart-warming to see Sonic Team delve into the archive of the under-appreciated 8-bit series of games.

I think the most exciting new twist, though, is the co-op multiplayer experience. While not strictly a new feature in 2D Sonic games, this seems to take the experience to the next level for modern, online play for up to 4 players, with Tails, Knuckles, and Amy Rose as playable characters, allowing fans to step into the shoes of their favourite Sonic characters. Moreover, the game features drop-in and drop-out local co-op.

The best bit of any new 2D Sonic game is the level tropes and music. I'm excited to learn more about the new zones within the enchanting North Star Islands, exploring their vibrant landscapes and encountering various challenges along the way. In a plot twist that should come as a shock to nobody, Sonic and his friends will unlock new powers derived from the Chaos Emeralds, enhancing their abilities and unlocking new gameplay mechanics.

Sonic Superstars is set to launch on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch, in the fall of 2023, and while the game undoubtedly shows immense promise, it faces the daunting task of following in the footsteps of the critically acclaimed murder mystery adventure, The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog, which Steam users have hailed as the best Sega game ever made...

Nevertheless, Sonic Superstars appears poised to captivate me with its heavy dose of nostalgia, fresh art style, and of course, the return of the legendary Naoto Ohshima.