If I didn't have to play the same stages over and over again, if I didn't have to listen to the characters talk again and again and again, and if I didn't have to go through the special stages just to get the final ending to the game, this game would be way better in my book.
That being said, the voice acting and story writing is really good in the game, all the voice actors shine in their respective roles, not to mention that final boss fight with Metal Sonic will never get old.