Sonic Racing: CrossWorld’s Werehog pre-order bonus has some fans feeling less than pleased. AnotherSonic the Hedgehogracing game is set to launch later this year, andSonic Racing: CrossWorldspromises a packed roster of heroes and villains from across Sega’s flagship platforming franchise. Even more playable racers will be added in post-launch DLC, with the first wave including crossovers with other games likePersona 5,Yakuza, andMinecraft.
There will also be a pair of pre-order bonuses forSonic Racing: CrossWorlds, with one of them beingSonic’s Blue Star Extreme Gear hoverboardfrom theSonic Ridersseries. The second is the Werehog from 2008’sSonic Unleashed, which famously saw Sonic transform into a werewolf-like creature to stop the monstrous Dark Gaia from destroying the world. Included in the Werehog-centric pre-order pack is a special Beast Spike car for Sonic to drive while racing throughSonic Racing: CrossWorld’s dimension-hopping courses.
While getting to play as the Werehog is atreat forSonic Unleashedfans, some are questioning Sega’s decision to include thisSonic Racing: CrossWorldspre-order content. According toComicbook, many Twitter users are wondering why Sega didn’t simply include the Werehog and his vehicle in the base game, as most of the previously announced DLC is based on characters from other franchises. Some have even gone as far as to call the move “unacceptable for a $70 game.”
Sonic Racing: CrossWorld’s Werehog Has Fans Divided
Another point of contention is the lack of any voice acting for the Werehog, as demonstrated in pastSonic Racing: CrossWorldsgameplay clips. While the rest of the game’s base cast is fully voiced (and cantalk to each other in pre-race interactions), the Werehog remains completely silent while collecting power-ups or jumping over ramps, without any new lines from current Sonic voice actor Roger Craig Smith or even recycled audio from Jason Griffith’s performance inSonic Unleashed.
One Twitter user compared this to howSonic X Shadow Generationshad Keanu Reeves perform new dialogue as Shadow the Hedgehog for that particular game’sSonic the Hedgehog 3-inspired DLC. Between Keanu Reeves being a much more expensive actor andSonic X Shadow Generations’ presumably smaller budget thanSonic Racing: Cross Worlds, this has left many puzzled by Sega, which has yet to comment on any of these controversies.Sonic Racing: CrossWorldsis still set to launch across most major platforms on September 25, while a Nintendo Switch 2 version will reportedly be released at some point during the 2025 holiday season.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
WHERE TO PLAY
Race across land, sea, air, space, and time in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds! Warp through Travel Rings into new dimensions where something new awaits around every twist and turn. Speed to victory solo or as a team in a variety of offline and online modes and compete against players from around the world. Build the ultimate machine to match your racing style, unlock gadgets to gain the upper hand, and unleash power-up items for the win!
