Sonic Forces

About Sonic Forces

Sonic Forces dropped on November 7, 2017, developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega Games. This title lands on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC as a straight-up platformer with adventure elements. The story picks up after Dr. Eggman conquers the world alongside a shadowy new threat named Infinite. Players join a resistance movement to push back against the robot army. The game splits its focus between modern 3D action and retro 2.5D side-scrolling segments. It also lets you create your own avatar to lead the charge. This release marked another attempt to revive the franchise following mixed results in previous years.

Gameplay

You spend most of your time sprinting through levels at high speeds while jumping over obstacles and grinding on rails. The Modern Sonic sections feel like 3D platformers where you collect rings and fight bosses in open arenas. Classic Sonic switches things to a tighter, side-scrolling view that mirrors the Genesis era games with precise jumps and tight hitboxes. Between these two heroes, you control a custom avatar who relies on gadgets like shields and blasters rather than pure speed. This third character type shifts the focus toward tactical combat and covering for Sonic while he creates openings. You can tackle missions alone or team up with friends in co-op modes. The controls remain snappy, though the pacing often feels relentless during boss encounters.

What Players Think

Data from PlayPile users tells a rougher story than marketing claims suggest. IGDB rates the game at 56.1 out of 100 based on 116 ratings. Critic scores hover around the low 70s, with Eurogamer giving it 75 and Hardcore Gamer landing it at 70. Review snippets highlight that the game moves too fast to leave a lasting impact or emotional weight. Average completion rates suggest many players struggle to finish the main campaign without getting stuck on specific boss fights. Community moods skew toward frustration regarding the avatar's limited role compared to the two Sonics. Playtime averages around 10 hours for a standard run, with completionists spending closer to 15 hours hunting every secret.

PlayPile's Take

This title sits at a mid-range price point and offers decent value if you like collecting achievements. The dual gameplay styles provide variety, but the story feels rushed and the custom character remains underwhelming. Players who missed the classic mechanics will enjoy the retro segments more than the 3D portions. It is not a perfect return to form for the series. You should play it only if you want a quick sprint rather than a deep adventure. Skip this one if you need a strong narrative or polished level design. The average user rating of 56 suggests most people found it lacking in substance.

Storyline

The game follows Sonic the Hedgehog as a member of a resistance force against Doctor Eggman, who has taken over the world with the help of his robot army and a mysterious new villain known as Infinite. Gameplay is similar to Sonic Generations with players controlling "Classic" and "Modern" versions of the titular character; the former plays from a 2.5D side-scrolling view reminiscent of the original Sonic games on the Sega Genesis, while the latter uses three-dimensional gameplay similar to Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Colors. In addition to the two Sonics, Sonic Forces also introduces a third gameplay mode featuring the "Avatar", the player's own custom character.