Sonic Forces

58%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,262 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Sonic Forces Game Cover
Despite its weird, war-focused beginning, Sonic Forces turns out to be a fun return to form for Sonic Team.
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Sonic Forces is a fantasy platformer game that can be played solo or with another player in multi-player or co-op mode. The game takes you through a world destroyed by Dr. Eggman and a powerful new villain, where you can speed through levels as Modern Sonic, Classic Sonic, or your own Custom Hero Character, using powerful new gadgets to fight enemies and save the world.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

58%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,262 reviews
story314 positive mentions
stability56 negative mentions
  • The character customization feature is fun and allows for a lot of creativity.
  • The graphics and visuals are impressive, showcasing the capabilities of the Hedgehog Engine 2.
  • The soundtrack is enjoyable, with several standout tracks that fit the Sonic vibe.
  • The level design is repetitive and often feels automated, leading to a lack of challenge.
  • Classic Sonic's gameplay is poorly executed, lacking the fluidity and fun of previous titles.
  • The story is weak and poorly paced, with many plot holes and underdeveloped characters.
  • story1,832 mentions

    The story of "Sonic Forces" has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing it for being poorly executed and filled with plot holes. While some appreciate the darker tone and the attempt to create a more serious narrative, others find it lacking depth and coherence, often feeling like a rushed collection of ideas rather than a cohesive plot. The inclusion of a customizable character is seen as a positive aspect, but many feel that classic Sonic's presence is unnecessary and detracts from the overall story experience.

    • “Sonic Forces: Overclocked is a free fan mod that adds a new story that takes place shortly after the original game's conclusion.”
    • “The story is engaging and Infinite is usually scary when he needs to be, though it takes a while to digest the ending.”
    • “The story is much darker than usual, resembling the SatAM cartoon the most.”
    • “The whole plot felt like a really bad Sonic self-insert fan fiction.”
    • “The main game has very lazy storytelling, lacking depth.”
    • “The story is obviously bad; everyone knows that.”
  • gameplay969 mentions

    The gameplay in "Sonic Forces" has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing it for being overly simplistic and linear, often reducing the experience to holding down the boost button to win. While the modern and avatar gameplay styles are generally seen as enjoyable, the classic Sonic segments are viewed as poorly executed and lacking momentum. Overall, the game is described as having a lack of depth and challenge, with many players recommending alternatives like "Sonic Generations" or "Sonic Mania" for a more fulfilling experience.

    • “The gameplay is fun and empowering, story isn't particularly complex but that's not necessarily a bad thing.”
    • “The gameplay is solid in my book.”
    • “The gameplay overall is pretty great.”
    • “But the thing is, you barely do anything in this game - most of the levels are basic and not engaging, the story has so much missed potential, and the action scenes have barely any gameplay to them.”
    • “The gameplay isn't exciting and is extremely repetitive, automated and basic.”
    • “The gameplay is abysmal and boring as hell; I had more fun playing the first level of Bubsy 3D than this travesty of a game.”
  • music861 mentions

    The music in "Sonic Forces" has received mixed reviews, with many praising the overall soundtrack as a highlight of the game, featuring catchy and energetic tracks that align well with the gameplay. However, classic Sonic's music has been criticized for being particularly grating and not fitting the series' usual high standards. While some players enjoy the modern and avatar stage music, others find it hit-or-miss, leading to a consensus that the soundtrack is a strong point, albeit with notable weaknesses in certain areas.

    • “The music is the best part of this game by far, but the best theme only plays twice.”
    • “The soundtrack is fantastic though, as always.”
    • “From the intense, high-energy melodies with a unique, super cool sounding synth that also reflects the danger of the environment in modern sonic, to the super funky tracks like chemical flow or casino forest in classic sonic, to the catchy vocal tracks with lyrics that describe what's currently going through the avatar's mind, to the phenomenal empowering orchestral score, to the great cutscene music that perfectly captures the mood, to the heavy hitters that are fist bump, infinite, and light of hope, the soundtrack is nothing short of eargasmic, and is a masterpiece.”
    • “Classic Sonic's music is... well, it's what you would get if converted Sonic 4's music into a shitty electronica midi file.”
    • “The music is the game's only saving grace and even then, only a handful of songs are memorable.”
    • “The only part of the OST I actually really hate is Classic Sonic's music.”
  • graphics389 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising their beauty and detail, often describing them as some of the best seen in a Sonic title. However, criticisms include a lack of consistency in art style, with some levels appearing bland or cluttered, which can detract from the overall experience. While the visuals are generally considered a highlight, they are often overshadowed by issues in gameplay and level design.

    • “The graphics are incredible and I enjoyed my experience playing the game.”
    • “The graphics and visuals are absolutely stunning, to the point where I sometimes end up forgetting what I'm doing just to look at the backgrounds, and although the stages are pretty short, they're all very fun to play through.”
    • “The graphics are amazing, the music is pretty great, and the story isn't perfect, but the writing between characters is the best we've gotten from the series in a while.”
    • “The game appears to waver indecisively between embracing a classic or modern design aesthetic, resulting in a lack of consistency and polish.”
    • “The graphics are far worse than I thought, the amount of reused assets throughout the game is vile and the quality isn't there either to make up for that.”
    • “The level designs are bland and repetitive, the graphics somehow look worse than Sonic Generations (2011) and the story with its 4 hours is very short and unmemorable.”
  • replayability154 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players finding it highly enjoyable due to the variety of missions, collectibles, and customization options for the avatar, which encourage multiple playthroughs. However, many reviewers criticize the short length of the game and the lack of substantial content post-completion, leading to a perception of limited replay value for those not focused on achieving high scores or collecting items. Overall, while there are elements that enhance replayability, such as different gameplay styles and challenges, the game's brevity and design choices leave some players wanting more.

    • “It's really replayable.”
    • “Lots of missions, 12 bonus levels, tons of customization, S ranks, and a lot of collectibles that encourage you to explore levels are there after you finish the game, and to be honest, it's the replayability that got me the most enjoyment out of Forces.”
    • “The avatar's gameplay adds so much replay value that encourages you to play each stage many times.”
    • “This game is insultingly easy, short and lacks replay value.”
    • “There is not enough here to justify replaying it, in a franchise built off of its games' replayability.”
    • “The only other thing I can mention is this game had no replay value.”
  • optimization75 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting smooth performance and good graphics, while others experience significant stuttering and frame drops, particularly during cutscenes. Many users noted that the game could benefit from further optimization, especially for lower-end systems, as performance issues seem to vary widely based on hardware configurations. Overall, while some players enjoy a stable experience, others find the game's performance lacking and in need of improvement.

    • “However, while the levels are short, I couldn't help but appreciate them on my replays for various completion aspects as an optimization puzzle.”
    • “Graphics are nice and the game seems to be very well optimized from my experience.”
    • “Game was optimized, and I am happy to now fully recommend it.”
    • “On the bad side, it has some performance issues and the momentum is terrible.”
    • “The game is terribly optimized and stutters like crazy, even on a fairly good mid-range system.”
    • “The game is great, but it really needs a fix for the cutscene stutter and the performance; I'm using a GTX 980, so this game should be running nearly perfect on maximum settings.”
  • humor69 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding amusement in the absurdity of character creation and the ridiculousness of the plot and dialogue. While some appreciate the unintentional comedy stemming from poor writing and voice acting, others feel the humor falls flat, lacking the charm of previous "so-bad-it's-good" titles. Overall, the game offers moments of hilarity, particularly when played with friends, but many agree that it often straddles the line between being genuinely funny and frustratingly mediocre.

    • “Creating your own avatar and making them look hilarious is also tons of fun!”
    • “The plot of this game is absolutely ridiculous and it takes itself way too seriously, but that makes it so funny.”
    • “The humorous dialogue and banter has me laughing almost constantly.”
    • “Lazy, unfunny writing.”
    • “As I mentioned in false advertising, Sonic still has that same annoying personality from Sonic Colors and never shuts up with annoying and unfunny jokes; he still doesn't take things too seriously here.”
    • “The voice acting is abysmal, with hilariously cringey military jargon being used in a baby game about a bunch of funny animals fighting a fat, bald scientist.”
  • stability59 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting minimal glitches and a generally smooth experience, while others encountered numerous bugs and gameplay issues that detracted from their enjoyment. Many noted that while the game is not as buggy as previous Sonic titles, it still suffers from inconsistent controls and occasional glitches that can disrupt gameplay. Overall, opinions vary widely, with some players finding it playable and enjoyable, while others describe it as frustratingly unstable.

    • “I'm just glad this game isn't buggy.”
    • “It wasn't too buggy and it was definitely playable!”
    • “Glad to see this game has little to no glitches and bugs, unlike other 3D Sonic games (3D Blast, Sonic Adventure 1 & 2, Sonic the Hedgehog (Xbox)).”
    • “The game is very crooked and buggy in places; you can fly over the level and die at any time.”
    • “During my original 3-hour long playthrough, I experienced loads of glitches and other issues that frustrated me a lot.”
    • “Controls are either oversensitive or don't respond at all; most movement mechanics don't work when they're activated, resulting in a loss. Every single level is riddled with countless spots where the player simply glitches through the ground, also resulting in a loss.”
  • grinding47 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being tedious and time-consuming, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall enjoyment. Achieving 100% completion often requires excessive grinding for collectibles and achievements, leading to a repetitive and frustrating experience. While some players find satisfaction in grinding for cosmetics and achievements, the overwhelming consensus is that the grinding mechanics are poorly implemented and make the game feel more like a chore than a fun experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The amount of grinding required to get full 100% is dumb though.”
    • “I tried grinding S ranks until the game just became a slog.”
    • “The thing that made this game a definite 'not recommended' was the forced grinding to get the achievements.”
  • emotional32 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players feeling a strong connection to the characters and story, while others criticize it for being boring and lacking depth. Many express disappointment in the narrative's execution, describing it as detached or mediocre, yet a few highlight moments of genuine emotional resonance, particularly through music and character journeys. Overall, the game seems to evoke a range of feelings, from nostalgia and attachment to frustration and emptiness.

    • “This game made me feel things.”
    • “It made me feel involved in the story, as if that was my personal avatar, me, in the game.”
    • “The story is nice, plenty of missions, a kind of sad story at the end though (well, I cried!)”
    • “Boring story.”
    • “Bringing the Phantom Ruby plot from Sonic Mania gives a boring story for the series.”
    • “Super boring story, gameplay, and visuals.”
  • character development25 mentions

    Overall, character development in the game has been widely criticized, with many reviewers noting a significant regression in established characters like Tails, who is portrayed as a coward without explanation, undermining his previous growth. While some character designs are appreciated, the narrative fails to effectively convey motivations and backstories, particularly for characters like Infinite, leading to a perception of shallow or nonexistent development. Despite some positive remarks about the potential for character design and customization, the consensus is that the storytelling and character arcs are poorly executed, leaving players disappointed.

    • “I also loved the character development with the dialog.”
    • “Obviously the story won't be amazing considering it's just a Sonic game, but this game definitely has the strongest story of any Sonic game by far and has the most character development in a Sonic story I've ever seen.”
    • “The custom character designer was really good with heaps of hats, clothing, and more!”
    • “And to actually understand some of it, you'll need to read a bunch of comics... Jesus... in this game, character development has just ceased to be relevant.”
    • “Tails has become a complete coward with no explanation, not even lifting a finger to save civilians about to be massacred. Adventure character development?”
    • “Let me just say that nobody here gets any form of character development; in fact, they have regressed back to what they were in Sonic Adventure 1.”
  • atmosphere17 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it immersive and well-crafted, particularly in terms of music and graphics, while others criticize it for lacking the depth and seriousness expected in a war-torn setting. Many reviewers express a desire for a more mature tone and complex storytelling, feeling that the current family-friendly approach undermines the potential for a gripping atmosphere. Overall, while some aspects are appreciated, the inconsistency in tone and execution leaves many feeling unsatisfied.

    • “The atmosphere is very immersive.”
    • “Appreciate the handling of the title screen, world map and ending in creating the story atmosphere.”
    • “+ the general atmosphere, music and graphics are the best parts.”
    • “Attempting to immerse oneself in a war-torn world becomes difficult when the overall tone strives for a family-friendly atmosphere.”
    • “The premise is pretty much satam inspired, yet there's no atmosphere and the plot is very basic and one-dimensional.”
    • “The atmosphere does not feel like war or catastrophe at all.”
  • monetization9 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the absence of microtransactions and loot boxes, viewing it as a refreshing change, others criticize the game as a cash grab that relies on nostalgia and poorly implemented features. Overall, the sentiment leans towards disappointment, with many feeling that the monetization strategy detracts from the overall experience.

    • “Items are free and there are no microtransactions.”
    • “On top of that, loot in this game is acquired through completing missions; there are no microtransactions for anything in this game, which is a breath of fresh air.”
    • “No microtransactions or loot boxes.”
    • “This game is a bland and cynical cash grab and nothing else.”
    • “The microtransactions are completely broken in this game.”
    • “The gameplay in the game is mediocre at best because they added classic Sonic for a cash grab.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

58% average critic score

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Play time

5hMedian play time
17hAverage play time
4hMain story
26hCompletionist
3-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 30 analyzed playthroughs

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