Sonic Colors: Ultimate

The gameplay of "Sonic Colors: Ultimate" retains the fast-paced, platforming-focused mechanics of the original Wii version, with the addition of new wisps that offer unique abilities to enhance level exploration. While many players find the gameplay enjoyable and engaging, particularly in speedrunning contexts, there are mixed opinions regarding the heavy emphasis on 2D segments and some technical issues, such as stuttering and glitches. Overall, the experience is seen as fun but polarizing, with some fans praising it as one of the best boost games, while others criticize its restrictive design and reliance on gimmicks.

The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing the remastered visuals for being overly reliant on bloom effects, leading to washed-out colors and a loss of the original art style. While some appreciate the enhanced textures and cleaner visuals, others find the overall presentation inferior to the original, citing numerous glitches, stuttering, and a lack of graphical options. Despite these issues, some players still enjoy the colorful scenery and creative stage themes, suggesting that modding can improve the visual experience significantly.

The game's stability has been a significant point of contention among players, with many reporting a variety of glitches and bugs that detract from the overall experience. While some users have noted that many issues have been patched over time, others still encounter frequent stuttering, input lag, and visual glitches, particularly in specific levels. Overall, opinions vary widely, with some players finding the game enjoyable despite its flaws, while others consider it a poorly optimized port that fails to meet expectations.

The story of "Sonic Colors" is generally viewed as simplistic and lacking depth, often described as a basic "Sonic beats Eggman" narrative with cringy dialogue aimed at a younger audience. While some players appreciate its light-hearted charm and nostalgic appeal, many criticize it for being underdeveloped and serving merely as a backdrop for gameplay, with little engagement or investment in the plot. Overall, the story is seen as a weak point in the game, overshadowed by its fun gameplay and colorful design.

The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant issues such as frequent stuttering, lag spikes, and long loading times, which detract from the overall experience. While some users have experienced stable performance without major issues, others have noted that the game remains poorly optimized, particularly on certain platforms, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience. The presence of Denuvo DRM has also been cited as a potential factor contributing to performance problems.

The humor in Sonic Colors: Ultimate receives mixed reviews, with some players finding the glitches amusing and appreciating Eggman's commentary, while others criticize the writing as subpar and lacking cleverness. Many feel that the humor falls short of expectations, often likening it to low-quality Saturday morning cartoons, and suggest that it may not resonate even with younger audiences. Overall, the game's comedic elements are seen as inconsistent, with a few standout moments overshadowed by a general lack of wit.

Overall, the game's replayability is enhanced by the addition of collectibles, new level designs, and customization options, appealing particularly to fans of the original. However, some players feel that the extra content is minimal and somewhat superficial, limiting the overall replay value compared to other titles in the series. While certain features, like the option to turn off motion blur, are appreciated, their limited application across levels leaves room for improvement.

The monetization aspect of the game is heavily criticized, with multiple users labeling it as a "cash grab" that feels rushed and inferior to the original. Despite the base game being enjoyable, the ultimate version is perceived as a poorly executed attempt to profit from fans.

Players find the grinding aspect frustrating due to random "time-outs" that disrupt gameplay and make farming points feel punishing rather than enjoyable. While the game features a mix of fast-paced and slow-paced sections, some levels are criticized for being overly tedious, with slow mechanics that detract from the overall experience. Additionally, issues with rail grinding and certain setpieces contribute to a sense of brokenness in the grinding system.