2017 is the year the Sonic franchise stops running from itself. Sonic Mania and Sonic Forces celebrate different eras, but they both take the same shameless “all-in” approach. Sonic Forces is a confident game, serving up a story and stages that go for broke while dodging the pitfalls of the past. As long as you’re not a hardline 3D Sonic hater, this earnest, entertaining adventure is worth a spin.

Sonic Forces mashes together everything from Sonic’s history, from 2D/3D mechanics to over-the-top action spectacle pieces. The new customizable hero feature breathes fresh life into the franchise, but the 3D gameplay it uses overpowers the game’s attempt to combine what has made the different eras of Sonic work.

Sonic Forces improves on the 3D gameplay but ruins Classic Sonic. This game will be met with torches and pitchforks by the fans, but their kids will have fun with the custom created character and the rest of the game.

Unfortunately, all of its mechanics are shallow and mixed up... If you love the franchise, go back to playing Sonic Mania.

Sonic returns with an adventure full of good intentions, but poorly executed. The control and level design are the main issues to tackle, but if you're a hardcore fan Sonic, you'll probably enjoy the game.

Sonic Forces is yet another stumble in a series that looked like it had regained balance after Sonic Mania's launch. A game for hardcore fans, although won't be so appealing to the rest of potential buyers.

Whoever this shoddily made platformer is meant to please it won’t be those that like Sonic Mania, or any of the better 3D Sonic games.