I honestly wanted to like this more than I did. I don't think having Sonic Mania in my mind as the studio's last game helped. I don't find the character designs very appealing, and there weren't really any cool and memorable "moments" in the game that blew me away. I had a lot of frustrations with the character not moving the way I want to as well.

I feel like my expectations were out of sync with what the game actually is, which caused a bit of friction. The game gives off heavy mario vibes with sprinkles of sonic on first impression, and so I expected the controls to be tight and frictionless. Instead, it's a game that expects you to learn how to time your inputs correctly for optimal execution, all while doing tony hawk style combos. I didn't really vibe with that for many hours, but by the end of the game I was feeling more okay with it.

Other than that, there's a lot to like here. Fun concepts, GREAT music, really cool art direction, some good level design. Not a bad game at all, and I'll probably re-play it again at some point.

The problem with this game is that it has amazing controls and good level design. But the game is really easy, an artstyle thats makes me think this game was aimed at very young kids and no one else, a middling soundtrack that made me start listening to other songs part way through, and mid boss fights. The game is really only good at one thing. Also i fall through the floor every few levels. really disappointing from the team that made sonic mania I expected better. but god damn that gameplay is really good.