Big improvement over the first game. This game (for Sonic at least) adds more moves to their arsenal. These extra moves with the emphasis on speed, make the game feel really good to play when the player can keep that speed going. But much like the first game the later half of the game is extremely punishing in the form of bottomless pits, poor enemy placement and some tough bosses. The music, graphics and animation quality have also been greatly improved upon from the original. Great game though overall, and if the game was not as difficult as it was near the end. I could see people talking about this being one of the best Sonic games.