OH MY GOSH WHAT A GAME!!

I can say with considerable confidence that this was the best Sonic the Hedgehog game I've ever played, and it's not even a Sonic game! It was fast, it was frantic, it had satisfying combat, the progression was great, and there were some absolutely brutal bosses.

The plot may not be the most memorable, but the gameplay more than makes up for it. Art direction is gorgeous too. Fantastic game.