Improvement over the last in level design, which I think makes it superior, but worse everywhere else (well except for visuals and maybe bosses). The soundtrack is still nice, just not on the same level, the low poly characters models are kept with much better looking environments for the stages themselves making for a wonderful visual presentation. The new watercraft minigames are (mostly, fuck that boat) cool but I definitely understand if you don't like them, I do like the exploring it adds to the table. The mini stages you get from them are fun, if simplistic, my only complaint with them is some of them are mandatory to complete but only AFTER you get to a certain point in the story so if you got there before you're forced to redo them. Special stages are kind of cool here, but I remember getting very upset them. Not anywhere near as bad as OG Sonic 2 or anything but a shame considering its predecessor had the best special stages in the series. The way you get the Sol Emeralds is through specific missions, most of the missions are obvious padding but it's not like you have to interact with them so not a big deal. Not like it matters much though because the reward for getting all the emeralds sucks ass here lmao.