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| Sonic Forces | |
|---|---|
| Title | Sonic Forces |
| Developer | Sega Studios Japan; Sonic Team |
| Publisher | Sega |
| Designer | Takashi Iizuka |
| Producer | Takashi Iizuka |
| Director | Morio Kishimoto |
| Composer | Tomoya Ohtani |
| Platforms | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows |
| Released | 2017 |
| Genre | Action, platform |
| Modes | Single-player |
Sonic Forces is a 2017 platform video game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega. The title pairs traditional series characters with player-created avatars to confront an authoritarian antagonist in a high-speed action format. It follows previous franchise entries such as Sonic Boom and Sonic Lost World while emphasizing a mix of 2D and 3D level design, character-driven narrative, and customizable mechanics.
Sonic Forces features three playable character types: the series icon Sonic the Hedgehog in modern 3D stages, retro 2D-style levels inspired by Sonic the Hedgehog (1991), and a customizable avatar called the Avatar who uses gadgets and weapons. Levels combine boost-based speed sections similar to Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations with platforming segments recalling Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic CD. The Avatar can equip a variety of abilities—such as a grappling hook, drill, and laser—to traverse environments influenced by locations like Green Hill Zone-type biomes, Chemical Plant Zone architecture, and mechanical stages reminiscent of Metropolis Zone. The game uses a checkpoint and ring-based health system established in earlier entries like Sonic Adventure and enemy types including robots modeled after Dr. Eggman's mechanized forces seen across the franchise. Time trials, challenge modes, and unlockable cosmetics echo features from Sonic Heroes and include leaderboards tied to platform services such as PlayStation Network and Xbox Live.
The narrative centers on a global insurgency against a dictator modeled after recurring antagonist Doctor Eggman and his upgraded army, with returning allies from franchises like Amy Rose, Tails, and Knuckles. The story interweaves multiple timelines and the resistance movement headquartered in environments evocative of Angel Island and urban zones akin to Studiopolis Zone. Key plot beats reference events from Sonic Lost World and Sonic Unleashed through flashbacks and character dynamics; the Avatar's origin, recruitment, and quests are framed alongside Sonic's hit-and-run tactics and a reunited Classic Sonic sequence that recalls past continuity experiments. Major confrontations culminate in set pieces that parallel confrontations seen in Sonic Adventure 2 and thematic reversals influenced by narratives such as Shadow the Hedgehog.
Development was led by Sonic Team, with direction and production under series veteran Takashi Iizuka. Production drew on lessons from Sonic Generations' reception and design philosophies from titles like Sonic Colors and Sonic Adventure. Internally, the project referenced technologies used on Project Needlemouse and cross-studio collaboration involving SEGA of America and SEGA Europe. Character customization systems were informed by third-party examples and prior Sega experiments in user-created avatars. Public statements and interviews with developers paralleled promotional strategies used for Sonic Lost World and addressed community feedback following fan campaigns around titles such as Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).
The game was announced at The Game Awards-adjacent events and previewed during broadcasts like Nintendo Direct and PlayStation State of Play-style showcases. Promotional tie-ins included demonstrations at conventions such as E3, Gamescom, and Tokyo Game Show, and partnerships with retailers in the vein of GameStop and Amazon (company). Pre-order bonuses, collector editions, and downloadable content strategies mirrored offers used for Sonic Mania and crossover bundles on Steam. Trailers, developer diaries, and social media campaigns targeted communities on platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and Reddit.
The soundtrack was composed by Tomoya Ohtani with contributions from composers associated with Sonic Team and guest artists who had worked on titles such as Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations. Music blends orchestral motifs, rock elements, electronic dance influences, and vocal tracks performed by guest vocalists known in the video game soundtrack scene. Audio direction referenced mixing approaches used on console releases for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and voice acting involved returning performers from the franchise continuity established during Sonic X-era casting and later retcons.
Critical response was mixed, with reviewers comparing its level design, pacing, and characterization to entries like Sonic Heroes, Sonic Adventure, and Sonic Generations. Praise focused on aspects such as high-speed sections and the Avatar customization, while criticism targeted camera control, inconsistent difficulty, and narrative execution relative to expectations set by Sonic Mania and community restorations. Sales performance placed it on franchise release lists alongside Sonic Lost World and influenced Sega's commercial planning; aggregate scores on aggregator services reflected polarized reviewer opinions. Fan discourse on forums including Reddit and community outlets debated its innovations versus perceived shortcomings seen across the series history.
Sonic Forces influenced subsequent franchise decisions, informing design elements and community engagement strategies in later projects such as Sonic Frontiers and retrospective compilations. Debates about avatar-driven mechanics and narrative direction impacted developer communications and release cadence at Sonic Team and Sega, while soundtrack elements contributed to live concert sets performed at events like MAGFest and orchestral game music showcases. The game remains a reference point in discussions on modernizing legacy franchises, cited alongside Sonic Mania and Generations in analyses of brand stewardship, fan reception, and iterative design within long-running series.
Category:2017 video games Category:Sonic the Hedgehog series