Recent reviews by Pollot

In my assessment, this particular Sonic game stands out as one of the franchise's most disappointing entries. Throughout its history, the Sonic series has experienced its share of highs and lows, and unfortunately, this installment falls into the latter category.

Let's begin by addressing the core aspect: the physics. Sonic's movements come across as rather clunky, particularly in regard to the classic iteration. This represents a noticeable step down from the fluidity showcased in titles like Sonic Generations and Sonic Colours. While it's a challenge to pinpoint the exact reasons for this regression, players familiar with the series' past will readily identify the disparity. It's somewhat amusing that the developers chose to incorporate the drop dash feature following its successful debut in Sonic Mania; however, their execution of this mechanic leaves much to be desired.

The narrative suffers from a plethora of plot holes and inconsistencies. Attempting to immerse oneself in a war-torn world becomes difficult when the overall tone strives for a family-friendly atmosphere. The dialogues come off as cringe-worthy and tailored primarily to a younger audience. The story's lack of internal logic becomes evident from the outset, as seen in the instance of Sonic's improbable recovery after enduring three months of torture, seemingly unaffected by the ordeal. This narrative misstep leads to a notable emotional detachment while engaging with the game.

Visual aesthetics also leave much to be desired. The game appears to waver indecisively between embracing a classic or modern design aesthetic, resulting in a lack of consistency and polish. Depth and refinement are often lacking, leading to an overall subpar visual experience.

Lastly, the level design leaves a lot to be desired, bordering on horrendous. Despite the inclusion of 30 main stages, they all suffer from being exceptionally short. The situation worsens as multiple stages are frequently set within the same location. Certain acts merely require holding down the boost button and occasional jumping, devoid of any engaging challenges, creative transitions, or rewarding shortcuts.

In summation, Sonic Forces falters in delivering meaningful innovations to the series. However, there is a glimmer of hope as the franchise seems to be progressing in a more promising direction with titles like Sonic Frontiers and the anticipated Sonic Superstars.