One of the best soundtracks in gaming history, some of the best pixel-art aesthetics in gaming history, I've re-listened to this game's soundtrack probably hundreds of times now, it's pure bliss to the ears.

The visuals too are wonderful, and the variety you get from all the different versions of levels available!

Unfortunately, the level design is quite weak. The game is more heavily reliant on verticality and exploration, but Sonic doesn't really fit that sort of gameplay. The level design had to be compromised so he can reach so high and low instead of giving Sonic a new ability to deal with the stages.

It's definitely much more fun on replay and, is a very fun game in general, it's just not on the same level as the other genesis era 2D sonic games, discounting sonic 1

Okay, here's the thing about this game...

I'm personally of the opinion that people complaining about a 2D Sonic game because "it doesn't have momentum!" or "it doesn't feel like the genesis games!" are, frankly really whiny.

I really love the genesis games, but I don't think every 2D Sonic game needs to play like them, the Sonic Rush games are testament to the ability of being able to make a Really Fun 2D game without needing to play like the genesis games.

This is the opposite of that, this is just fucking boring.

There's no level design, it boils Sonic down to its simplest form of just "Press the right button at the right time.", I frankly don't understand how this made it through development.

Definitely not a game I recommend.