I don't say this often, but this game is embarrassing. Just about every element of it's production feels shockingly amateur, and it feels like a half-baked attempt to redefine a franchise without any understanding of what made it (sometimes) work, or what would even make this new format fun.
Presentation is one of the first notable problems. It's dull and dreary, which hardly fits a sonic game. There's not a single memorable or recognizable locale in the entire game, just identical spires, temples, and plains. Much of the music is very generic and forgettable. I also hate most of the songs for the cyberspace stages. The vocal tracks are pretty lame too, taking themselves way too seriously when compared to the fun and cheesy tracks of the past. I'm at least glad they added the jukebox because the better music from the past at least helps.
The bigger issues come through with the gameplay. Cyberspace levels are the first big issue. The controls are okay, but quite stiff. There's no real sense of speed in these, especially when it comes to boosting. Level design is straightforwards and uninspired, lacking interesting routes or challenges. Add this onto stupid easy S-ranks, and these completely miss the mark.
The overworld is very boring. Again, controls fine. But all you'll do is run around doing unmemorable and repetitive platforming challenges or one of six dogshit minigames that take no thought and all feel the same. It's shocking how little of these stick in my head, considering I just beat this.
Combat sucks too. It mostly just stops you and forces you to do another slow, dull minigame. It's stupid simple and lacks flair. The boss fights are much in the same boat. I can't believe these got so much praise, considering they are as deep as a puddle and dull. It's once again, just flash that fails to impress.
I can't help but be continually interested in this franchise. A disaster like this game comes out and is hailed as a great next step. Instead, it's an underwhelming, boring, unfocused, repetitive slog.
Presentation is one of the first notable problems. It's dull and dreary, which hardly fits a sonic game. There's not a single memorable or recognizable locale in the entire game, just identical spires, temples, and plains. Much of the music is very generic and forgettable. I also hate most of the songs for the cyberspace stages. The vocal tracks are pretty lame too, taking themselves way too seriously when compared to the fun and cheesy tracks of the past. I'm at least glad they added the jukebox because the better music from the past at least helps.
The bigger issues come through with the gameplay. Cyberspace levels are the first big issue. The controls are okay, but quite stiff. There's no real sense of speed in these, especially when it comes to boosting. Level design is straightforwards and uninspired, lacking interesting routes or challenges. Add this onto stupid easy S-ranks, and these completely miss the mark.
The overworld is very boring. Again, controls fine. But all you'll do is run around doing unmemorable and repetitive platforming challenges or one of six dogshit minigames that take no thought and all feel the same. It's shocking how little of these stick in my head, considering I just beat this.
Combat sucks too. It mostly just stops you and forces you to do another slow, dull minigame. It's stupid simple and lacks flair. The boss fights are much in the same boat. I can't believe these got so much praise, considering they are as deep as a puddle and dull. It's once again, just flash that fails to impress.
I can't help but be continually interested in this franchise. A disaster like this game comes out and is hailed as a great next step. Instead, it's an underwhelming, boring, unfocused, repetitive slog.