Sonic Rumble Finally Launches and is Immediately Torn Apart on Steam for Predatory Monetization

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Sonic the Hedgehog has been doing really well lately, especially after the success of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, which sold over a million copies. Now, a new game called Sonic Rumble is here, developed by Rovio, the creators of Angry Birds. You might be surprised to hear about it – the game hasn’t had a lot of publicity, particularly after being delayed.

I was so excited when the game finally launched on iOS, Android, and PC, but honestly, the Steam reviews are pretty rough. It’s currently marked as “Mixed,” and only about 44% of over 1,400 players recommend it. A lot of the complaints seem to be about how much the game tries to get you to spend money – things like skins costing up to $60, a random loot box system, multiple battle passes, a subscription service, special moves you have to buy, and just constant requests to open your wallet. It’s a bit much, honestly.

One reviewer questioned how a complete and enjoyable racing game like Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds could cost less than buying just a couple of in-game cosmetic items. While some acknowledge that claims about those items giving players an unfair advantage aren’t true, they still consider the game’s way of making money to be excessively aggressive and exploitative.

Even though the game is fully playable without any purchases, it still has several problems. These include oversized buttons that take up too much screen space, a deep-level anti-cheat system, and lag when collecting items. But the biggest issue is that, aside from the characters themselves, the game doesn’t really feel like a traditional Sonic game.

Sega and Rovio haven’t announced any plans to address issues or make updates. Considering the game briefly reached 5,465 players at its peak, they might be satisfied with its performance on mobile and are choosing not to worry about its Steam reviews.

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2025-11-06 15:11