Sonic Forces Reviews
Sonic Team promised us. They promised us they would deliver with Forces, they said they're taking Sonic back and will remind us of what makes him so great. I was so ready to get on board. Ugh, I was so ready. Damn you, Sonic Team.
Sonic Forces is rife with a lack of polish in its most fundamental mechanics and feels confused as to what it's trying to achieve. With frustrating gameplay as a result of characters that handle horrendously and a narrative that takes itself far too seriously for its own good, the hedgehog's latest outing will only appease the most forgiving fans of his modern adventures.
Avoid it like the plague.
It’s tough to believe that Sonic Team has managed to take the enjoyable gameplay blueprint of Sonic Generations and turn it into this clunky mess of a sequel – a lazily told story, poor level design, and gameplay that lacks any real excitement the biggest offenders here. Sonic Mania managed to steer the hedgehog back on track and it’s disheartening to see Sonic Forces potentially undo that so soon. The game isn’t unplayable like others have been in the past, but it’s certainly clear Sonic Team are capable of better. Much better.
An average storytelling, bad controls and a boring level design make it hard for Segas Hedgehog to climb back on the Jump N`Run Olympus. If you're looking for a quick and fun game you'll still get something out of Sonic Forces.
Review in German | Read full review
It’s not the 3D Sonic game we wanted but it’s the one we’ve got. Sonic Forces gives us glimpses of what a good Sonic 3D game could look like but it does so much wrong that it’s not worth your time or money unless you’re a truly die-hard Sonic fan.
Sonic Forces is not going to rewrite the history books. It's yet another Sonic game that struggles when adding that extra dimension. Even though the level design is some of the best yet, you just can't shake the feeling that it's a bit of fan service until they launch Sonic Mania 2.
Sonic Forces is not a terrible game, but it ain't a good one. Full of cheesy dialogues, a storyline that doesn't make any sense, and weird additional gameplay mechanics, I feel that the Sonic Team's urge to create something fresh and new to the franchise is actually pushing them to overdo it. If only they would listen to their fans and stick to a traditional side scrolling platformer like this year's release of Sonic Mania.
Forces continues the trend of Modern Sonic games being very average and not even an injection boost like Classic Sonic or the new customisable Avatar character can save this from being average at best.
Overall, Sonic Forces isn’t the follow-up critical darling that Sonic Mania was, not even close. However, it’s not without its own merits, from the mostly decent gameplay and unabashedly corny story, there’s still some things to love about the game. I’d only recommend it to the passionate Sonic fans, however, who need some more blue blur magic in their life. Sometimes Sonic just has to get over a few speed bumps to be good, but this time it’s just another speed bump.
Unfortunately, my first experience with a Sonic game isn’t one I am hoping to remember for years to come, in fact Sonic Forces is a very bland and forgettable game. The lacklustre 3D platforming, and boring boss fights condemn Sonic Forces to a bargain bin level of release.
Sonic Forces is by no means a career-killing disaster like Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric or Shadow the Hedgehog were, but it still a disappointment after all the wonderous hours of fun Mania offered.
Although Sonic Forces has some interesting ideas and a few moments of legit fun, it’s ultimately disappointing and a significant step backwards from what came before.
It's no Sonic Mania but it's not that bad either. Your kids will love it as they won't find anything appealing in Sonic Mania. So die-hard Sonic fans should avoid this game but it's perfect for your kids as it's more streamlined and goofy.
Review in German | Read full review
Sonic Forces may be short and easy, but it is a fun experience. The darker story line and presentation is surprising at first, but becomes a great way to bring the player-created character into the fold.
Sonic Forces is a better game than Sonic Boom. But compared to Sonic Generations and Sonic Colours, it's missing a vision and a general idea of what it is and what it wants to be. Instead, this is yet another inconsistent Sonic game that disappoints with mediocre level design, really short stages and a general lack of focus.
Review in German | Read full review
It’s inconsistent, varying wildly from 9/10 moments to 3/10 moments, and it’s frustrating to see. If you love Sonic games, want an entertaining story and a ton of fan-service and can see through a few mis-steps, pick this up. Otherwise, you may be somewhat disappointed
Sonic Forces isn't a particularly bad game, it's just a game that never seems to find it's true potential. An overly complicated story and some design flaws stop Sonic Forces just shy of greatness, leaving a decent enough experience to enjoy.