Confession Time
I have to admit something: I’m not a big fan of Sonic the Hedgehog. I’ve tried, though. I’ve played several games in the series (Sonic 2 is pretty good), but Sonic just doesn’t click with me. I like exploring levels, but Sonic is all about speed and quick reactions. Before this week, I had only ever finished one Sonic game: Sonic Adventure 2: Battle on the GameCube. That’s changed now because I recently played and completed Sonic Forces, making it the second Sonic game I’ve ever finished.
The Story in Sonic Forces
You are Sonic the Hedgehog, the blue speedster. As usual, Dr. Eggman (I still prefer calling him Robotnik) is up to no good. This time, he’s attacking a city, and you head out to stop him. Things take a turn when Sonic is defeated by a new enemy, Infinite, and is captured. Six months later, Eggman has taken over the world, and only a small resistance, led by Sonic’s friends like Knuckles, Amy, and Silver, remains.
You don’t start the game as Sonic, though. Instead, you play as “The Rookie,” a character you create. Your first big mission is to rescue Sonic, who is being held on the Death Egg. Meanwhile, Tails is saved by Classic Sonic, who appears out of nowhere thanks to a mysterious gem called the Phantom Ruby. Together, they join the fight against Eggman and Infinite.
The story jumps around a lot, which can be confusing. For example, you’ll play as Sonic and know he’s alive, but then switch to Tails, who still thinks Sonic is dead. Once the story settles, it becomes easier to follow. It balances serious moments (Sonic being imprisoned and tortured for six months) with fun, lighter gameplay.
The Gameplay
As you’d expect, Sonic Forces focuses on speed. There are three playable characters, each with different styles:
- Modern Sonic: He plays as you’d expect. You run, jump, and use homing attacks. His levels switch between 3D and 2D gameplay, and he has a boost ability powered by collecting Wisps. The boost lets you speed through enemies, which is one of the most fun parts of the game.
- Classic Sonic: His levels are entirely 2D, which feels nostalgic. He has a simple moveset, including a drop dash, and focuses on classic Sonic gameplay.
- The Rookie (your custom character): This is where things get creative. You choose the Rookie’s appearance and abilities, like double-jumping or using gadgets. The gadgets range from flamethrowers to electric whips and add variety to the gameplay.
The Rookie’s customization is a highlight. Beating levels unlocks new outfits and gear, and it’s fun to see your unique character appear in cutscenes. However, some gadgets feel clunky, and levels sometimes seem designed for specific gadgets, which can be frustrating if you didn’t bring the right one.
Boss Battles
The boss fights in Sonic Forces are some of its best moments. Each boss fight makes good use of the playable character’s abilities. For example, one battle has you chasing Infinite on a giant snake while dodging his attacks. These fights are exciting and feel rewarding.
The Issues
Despite its fun moments, Sonic Forces has some problems:
- It’s very short: I beat the game in less than a week. Even with extra missions and collectibles, it felt like there wasn’t enough content.
- Too much automation: The game often takes control, showing off the levels with flashy automated sequences. It looks great, but it can feel like you’re watching the game play itself.
Also, if you try the game, play it on “hard” mode. It’s not actually hard—it feels more like a normal difficulty setting.
Final Thoughts
Even though I’m not a big Sonic fan, I enjoyed Sonic Forces. It has flaws, but it also has some great moments, especially the boss battles and the character creation. The speed sections deliver the thrill you’d expect from a Sonic game, and the visuals are impressive.
While it’s not perfect, it’s worth playing for fans of the series or anyone looking for a quick, fun adventure. Who knows? Maybe I’ll keep giving Sonic games another try. For now, though, I’m happy I finished Sonic Forces and have some good memories of it.