Sonic Forces Demo Impressions

Stupid 1-minute time limit. Couldn't finish off any of the levels.

Yep, a demo was released for Sonic Forces in Japan for the Switch. Used my backup account to download it to get a feel of it. It has a level for each of the three characters and a stupid time limit to where you can't get enough time to garner a reaction. It should be released worldwide tomorrow I heard.

Let's see what it has, shall we?

Modern Sonic: Same as he was in Colors pretty much. Boost, stomp, double jump, he's got the quick-step back though. But no drift. His level is Modern Green Hill (Lost Valley if I recall), seemingly set before Sunset Heights (meaning Green Hill is the first level) since Tails is calling for him to get to the city. And we pretty much know Sonic and Tails are gonna be separated after that, and we haven't seen the two interact beyond this.

I have to get used to his extra height when performing an Air Boost though. Pretty cool touch though.

Classic Sonic: Pretty much the same as Generations. He can Spin-Dash (now back to just down+jump and no separate button), and originating from Mania, he can use the Drop-Dash here too. You fight the Egg Dragoon in Green Hill. Pretty simple all things considered.

Avatar: Here you are given a preset character and the option of 3 Wispons: Cube, Burst, and Lightning. The level is the recently revealed Space Port (aka Chemical Plant Zone). It's... basic. Enemies aren't a challenge, the grapple is just another Homing Attack, and the level is a straight line.

Speaking of level design...

What we got is pretty bare so far. We're talking Secret Rings/Black Knight automation here. The 3D sections are Crash Bandicoot hallways, but the 2D sections actually are interesting. Enemies are a non issue to where you wonder why they're in the way in the first place, and the Wispons are OP (I don't care about this personally though, they're cool).

Classic only got a boss fight so I really couldn't get a feel of how he plays in a level like Casino Forest. And that 1-minute time limit certainly didn't help. It's as dumb as the Smash 4 demo only letting me play 15 times.

Beyond that though, it actually controlled smoothly and responsive. Modern is my favorite, and I sense some improvement for Classic, especially with the Drop Dash in play. And I honestly look forward to making my own character.

And for those hesitant on the Switch version. The game runs fine. It's not perfect 1080p/60fps, but it's still a smooth 30fps with little to no dips/stuttering, the controls are still good with no input lag, and it's not a noticeable downgrade in graphics, clear on my end. I counted and loading levels takes about 7 seconds max, and level restarts in less than 4.

Again, my only issue is the barebones level design and automation, which I hope improves later on in the game. Otherwise, I actually had fun with how it played and will still buy it day 1 despite this. Gotta get that Shadow DLC!