Honestly the hate for this game is a bit overblown, but it's not anything too amazing either. It's just a really safe and standard 2D Sonic game with some fun ideas and levels. The big thing that disrupts the main campaign from being up there with the other 2D Sonics are the boss fights. These type of bosses do not work in the context of a 2D sonic game, the phases take 10 years just to be able to hit the boss once and then get killed by some random bullshit.
Though, I think the biggest thing for me is that this game could have been a lot better if it was shorter and at a lower price tag. The abomination of game design known as Trip's story could have been avoided entirely if Arzest didn't feel pressured to pad the game out and make it even harder for the sake of justifying it's insane $60 price tag. Also in traditional Sonic fashion, this game is littered with bugs lmao, but it's not anything too game breaking (at least in my experience).
If you are a fan of classic Sonic games I would still recommend playing it. The main campaign is solid and worth your time despite some of it's flaws, just make sure to buy it at a heavy discount. Do not play Trip's story.
Though, I think the biggest thing for me is that this game could have been a lot better if it was shorter and at a lower price tag. The abomination of game design known as Trip's story could have been avoided entirely if Arzest didn't feel pressured to pad the game out and make it even harder for the sake of justifying it's insane $60 price tag. Also in traditional Sonic fashion, this game is littered with bugs lmao, but it's not anything too game breaking (at least in my experience).
If you are a fan of classic Sonic games I would still recommend playing it. The main campaign is solid and worth your time despite some of it's flaws, just make sure to buy it at a heavy discount. Do not play Trip's story.