Sonic Omens: A Loving CRITIQUE 

This felt like a ign review but actually good

I actually didn’t see a problem with the boost until watching this. It’s nice to hear logical critique in order to see another side to things. I definitely felt like the game needed work, but this definitely showed me there’s even more to be done.

I don’t know why but I kind of like the thought of Sonic games having hectic bosses where you don’t get safe parts after hitting it. Just seems like it would work better since the dude is supposed to be fast and having fast hectic boss battles would be a nice challenge 🤔

Finally a good critique to the demo, most people either say it's perfect or straight up garbage, but in reality is far from both extremes, I think the boost should be scrapped or heavily nerfed because I like the bigger areas of the levels and more focus on exploration would be better.

"Sega, HIRE THIS MAN! Oh Sega, HIRE THIS MAN! He's using Infinity Engine, In any way he can!"

Wait, how did you get past the tree palace level? The collision on the wall running section is completely broken

Well... They don't wanna hear any critique, so... It's no use.

I'm pretty new to the sonic franchise, this being my first 3d sonic game, so I know I'm not the best person for this, but after hearing your concerns about the boost, I conducted an experiment on the first two levels (since they're the best ones). I did one playthrough where I held boost as much as possible and as you would expect breezed through the level without really feeling rewarded. However the second time I went back to the way I first played the levels. You see, since I'm new to the sonic franchise, I tried to conserve boost as much as possible by only tapping the button to gain speed back and only holding it on a big loop or rail. After playing with this playstyle again, I can say it feels great to play. conserving speed while boosting in key parts to gain your speed back after a spring or something. And I'm not saying this to help the whole "You can chose how you want to play" argument, but rather a potential at a charge based boost system. This would work as charges rather than a meter, giving you a burst of speed that you would have to conserve rather than constant speed. You could also only hold a few charges at a time (like 3 or 4) and only refill one with each boost tank (or whatever they're called) This would feel much more rewarding, as you would have to think more about when to use the boost, while also giving you the adrenaline flow from going 0 to 100. I would recomend replaying these levels with this playstyle, as it's a blast. Also I thank you for giving an actual critique of the game, as I've seen SO MANY people dunking on the game without much reason besides "the stages are trash", "the demo has game breaking bugs" (oh no, an unfinished game having bugs?) " and then they use the fact that the devs tried to raise money on a patreon to act like this game needs to be perfect. It's not perfect, it's a sonic fangame, the main games aren't even perfect nowadays. While alot of the complaints were valid, I was just shocked seeing the levels of critique this fanbase had. They said just how terrible of a sonic fangame it was, but I just had to ask "where's the better ones you guys keep mentioning?". I just find this video a breath of fresh air, as it JUST talks about the game, and it's problems. Thank you so much for a great video essay.

I agree with a lot that you said, Tho I must say I like the boosting and how it's used in the game. (as a fan and well-experianced user of the boost mechanic) Also, I will agree, the bosses were pretty annoying, good concept but a "could be better" execution.

Thanks for giving your opinion on the game. It’s been getting a lot of traction lately and has been given “the best 3D sonic game ever” title by default for its looks mainly. I’ve played it myself and it’s alright honestly. Nothing too crazy

I agree wholeheartedly on the Tornado being an absolute mistake, but I think the level design for Sonic nails boost gameplay on the head. The thing that makes it work so well for me is just how quickly it drains. You have to constantly seek out more boost if you want to keep boosting, which leads to optimizing just how many enemies and rings you have to go out of your way for. The other good change is they kept the arc-y flying boost from the DS games and Forces, which when combined with slopes and springs allows you to skip sections and go even faster through skilled play. Also, the Dragoon E-Zero is my favorite Sonic boss, period. It's poorly tutorialized, but once you figure out that you're supposed to boost and duck and weave it becomes some of the most fun I've had with a Sonic boss ever. It's incredibly skill-based due to having to manage boost and dodge incredibly fast attacks while punishing openings, as opposed to the usual Sonic affair of waiting to mash A. The only part I didn't like is that it ended.

I think the voice for Sonic is good, but... Shadow’s voice is beyond annoying

I think the praise centers around this and GT being the closest we've gotten to what we want in a sonic game. Sonic forces made me depressed playing it. while this game made me filled with joy.

It looks great, but sadly as a member of the games industry I just can't support the projects patreon stuff. Regardless of the legality of accepting donations via patreon for a fan project, its still a third party profiting off of anothers IP in my eyes

honestly didnt realize the problem with the boost until you pointed it out. There's so much going on in these levels that are easily passed because "haha sonic go quick". being said, I feel that '06 did speed levels separate from platforming levels right, and this game could benefit from that type of mechanic if its going for mixed gameplay. However, if they really want to implement the "speed is key" style, Sonic GT's method on gaining speed was perfect imo, so i'd like to see that used. sidenote: Sega needs to take notes on shadow's gameplay, he's more than just a sonic clone

*This game is boost to win half of the time and half of the time you can't use the boost* Sonic forces: *sweats nerviously*

I think another good change would be to allow Sonic to roll by pressing RB and remove the quick-step entirely in favor for better horizontal movement.

Tails’s Tornado sections, Star Fox it is not.

While I understand why you don’t think the Boost formula doesn’t have a place in Sonic Omens, I argue that a compromise between Boost and Adventure is still possible. It’s all a matter of balancing the Boost mechanic. What makes the boost mechanic mind numbing to some is the “boost to win” mentality attached to it, but what if that wasn’t the case. What if access to the boost was much more limited and there was a distinct upper threshold in speed that only the boost could access that momentum could never reach on its own? With this, it would require the player to be much more liberal with their boosts, only using it to gain access to areas that momentum would not be able to. Sonic Colors had done this excellently in the past. By limiting the Boost to White Wisps and forcing the player to be smarter with when they boost, the developers were able to implement mechanics like ramps that reach new heights if you boost off of them instead of just exhausting the boost meter the moment it got filled up. The game can still have the power of boost and the exploration of Adventure, it’s just of matter of designing levels that properly accommodate for it. What Sonic Omens is doing right now is make levels with sections for both styles, when what it needs is to make a new style that blends them together cohesively. A style that has open levels for exploration with sections that can only be accessed it the tools provided are used wisely. I cannot stress this point enough. For the boost to have value, it must be limited and grant exclusive access to a greater top speed that is needed to unlock optional secrets and paths.

Here's how you correctly implement a boost mechanic into an adventure style. Make the boost act like a recovery mechanic. Simply greatly reduce the duration of the boost and tie it to your current ring count draining the rings for boost until 1 ring remains with the ability to disable it with one action. This way the boost serves as a reward to quick speed and speeding up the pace for retaining a high ring count while avoiding enemy contact. In essence rewarding speed for skill and avoidance. Another interesting idea would be to attribute the amount of damage dealt not only to the type of attack used but also magnified by the speed at the point of contact. This could also incorporate something from the Heroes, Shadow, & 06 Games. Higher Enemy HP. If speed is what allows for more damage then momentum is also directly integrated into combat strategies and mechanics. This same philosophy could also apply to the bosses with high speed attacks being able to obliterate that health bar. Traversal and Combat are both tied into the momentum principle.

Guy talking about how boss fights are hard Me: Well... Let's be honest. Sonic boss fights these days are REALLY easy. I haven't played the game but from what I can tell these fights are challenging and seem really fun. If there's anything I like in a game. it's a good fight

I don’t quite have a problem with the game itself, it’s fine, collision is Meh, and I wish the boost formula would just fuck off already, but it is still in testing so I guess that’s fine but the creators a schmuck. He’s profiting off of something that isn’t his and it could potentially form a Mario fan game problem since there are a lot of Mario fan games that were shut down by Nintendo. Now, SEGA of America’s pretty chill, but but Sega of Japan has had some big controversies when it comes to fan games, and if something like this is profiting off an IP that isn’t theirs could have SEGA crack down even harder like Nintendo does, and that just ain’t cool cuz stuff like Sonic Utopia, Time Twisted, and even Sonic World could have some major issues.

The boost is definitely not useless, just not required. Like for Egg Dragoon E Zero, I used it as sort of a dodge and a way to immediately get up to it to hit it during the later sections when everything was super fast, it was fun as hell.

they could stick with both adventure and boost formula since both are objectively great playstyles, but have them to be in their own levels, with their own stucture not trying to mix them in one

Shadow's accent has actually grown on me a lot more than I expected. I thought it was jarring at first but then I grew to appreciate it. something abt it makes him sound more badass and I dig it.

You pointed good points if they take notes, it will be near perfect

People can have their cake and eat it. It's simple, make the BASE game Adventure style with exploration and have SPECIAL stages (Emeralds, special items etc) where you use the boost gameplay. It will add variety and incorporate both systems.

I totally agree with what you said. As for bosses I'm typically a fan of bosses that can take a lot of hits, but in exchange give the player lots of chances to land quick hits. Attacks should be more telegraphed and for each phase, the player should get a small resting period to gather themselves. That and maybe zoom out the camera? I like that it's always focused on the bosses so you don't lose track of them, but games like SA2 never had any obstructive hazards to block you from the boss during boss battles.

SEGA doesn’t need to hire these guys. Just be inspired by them

Things I'd like to fix -Bosses should have less health to keep them from being Damage Sponges. -Homing attack can be changed so that if you are CLOSE to enemies, the reticle appears regardless, but your range increases if the camera is faced to the enemy. -Revamp the damn tree -Boost should be reworked to avoid a "boost to win" situation like described here. Maybe bring UnWiished's Boost gimmick back, incentivizing you to save boosts for critical moments.

The music in the game definitely slaps though. Especially chao paradise.

NOTE PLS READ: I'll have to respectfully disagree, as the boost mechanic as a "gimmick" as I would formulate it, as an option. If players ever feel the need to get that "High Score" or just a rush, the game would offer resources and challenges to accommodate players to go the route. As for the Adventure style, you can choose to not boost. And take in the scenery and the environment, as shown at the very beginning of the level. Also boosting in every level might feel to redundant and overused, thats why offering a blend of adventure style while not catering to the overused side scroller, can offer a better and fresher experience. So I believe the tree level was meant as a sort of answer to this half and half unique formula. Now you can speedboost in the tree level... but do you REALLY want to? There's always a choice to these factors that can truly make a great game amazing. By letting the player CHOOSE how they wish to play. I would write more but I'm very lazy so srry if the explanation seemed rush or aggressive. Everyone had there own taste

I like Shadow's accent. It does need work, but I like the direction they're taking.

You're gonna get a LOT of flack for this video for no reason lol

But I checked and their patreon isn't a/b Sonic Omens? IDK, I'll look further but so far it seems to be original works on their Patreon. I'm taking you word for it though and keeping it in mind RE: nvm found it "Wild Ridge" and "Wellspring" you were right kek

Being honest, I’m gonna have to call you out on this because, I see your point. That’s exactly what they’re going for, combining the two different styles into one. The problem I’m seeing here is that you’re looking at this as if they’re two different styles in the same game. Because these CAN work together in regards to a simple keyword: Options. If you like boosting through a level as fast as humanly possible, you can. If you like exploring a level at your own pace and being rewarded, even without the boost, you can. It’s not really another playstyle so much as it is another option. You HAVE the option to use the boost. You HAVE the option not to. It’s less forcing players into a mentality than it is giving players an arsenal that they can use to their liking. I love the adventure games, and I adore what they do. I also love the boost games(BARRING FORCES) for the challenge they offer. When it comes to having both sides of the spectrum in conjunction, what’s so bad? The way I see it, the mentality is only their because it’s being perceived by players that have observed that issue for years. This is one of those things, honestly, where we need to be more open-minded and look at this through a different lens. Alternately: That area where you’re running on the walls with the lasers in your path is a horrible example, as you have the quickstep at your disposal and it’s not that hard to immediately think on your feet on that front.

Sorry but I completely disagree with the points made about boost. Boost is highly rewarding. Managing boost meter is extremely important and the level of complexity involved with the gameplay is huge. I've spent the last 2 days finding tech and just today routing Chao Paradise for 8 hours. The next phase is implementing that into a single combo string of carefully timed jumps, grinds, hops etc. The reward comes from the fastest time in the same way you play a racing game. Shaving a few seconds without using a drift or using boost at this section here is what makes meter management important. It's only boost to win if you don't think strategically. Sorry, I'm completely all of the points made in this video regarding boost. It's extremely well done and what I (and I'm sure others) have been wanting for a long time. If anything, I want more. Not to plug my own video but it's related to the video (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6rC8z-4zvIM.html) this is from around 8 hours of playing Chao Paradise and trying to find new routes and optimising my gameplay. It's extremly precise, makes use of the environment and doesn't even come close to the "boost to win" mentality. If you learn how boost works, and spend time on the mechanics, you see the game (and the previous boost games) in a completely different way. As I said before, it becomes a racing game like Burnout and the alike.

Do you like GT?

Big sonic fan and tbh he’s speaking sense , I would enjoy majority non boost levels and then maybe throw in a few levels that gives you the ability to boost but only for those levels that requires boost

I agree with your points but I don't think removing the boost is necessary. Personally, I think it would be better if they changed up the level design a bit to make it so that there are sections that compensate for both boost and adventure. Like there are multiple paths where some make use of platforming and momentum while others have obstacles, turns and other challenges the player would need to boost through, both sets can reward the player with shorter routes, secrets, prizes and any other thing. As for the boss fights and tornado stages, yeah they could use some work.

Conflicted, because I like the idea & look of a boost-adventure merger. The sense of speed with boost from having a method of fully controlling your velocity, as well as the aesthetic of the speed trail, and being able to bust through enemies & obstacles. It just doesn't have the same feel without it being a dedicated button. But the potential for adventure formula is so much greater. You made a lot of good points that I hadn't considered before though... Could there be other ways of merging the two? Limiting the amount of boost? Boosy-designed levels in a similar vein to how mach speed levels were implemented in 06?

There's more ways to use the boost in this game. It helps grind sections, you can make longer jumps and whenever you need more speed that Adventure doenst provide, you can use it. The philosophy is more so the Boost is another mechanic in Sonic's moveset that the player can use in their own creative ways. Instead of how it's the crux of an official Boost game.

As an on-and-off Sonic fan, it always baffles me how much this community restricts itself with this silly idea of "formulas". The idea that "it's either black or white" it's so flawed that only exists because it's rooted in the fandom's pov about the games. You've mistaken 'gimmicks' for 'assets' you have to manage - and use at the right time to achieve, for instance, a better time or score. Saying that 'this isn't right because you can't boost all the time' it's like saying that Ultimate moves are useless in fighting games, because you can't use them all the time.

It's weird because I don't see a problem with either the Adventure or Boost gameplay styles utilised in Omens. It's the fact that the devs combined both & now the obvious hindrance to gameplay & level design exists. It feels like if you truly wanna combine both formula's into 1, you can only go as far as to incorporate different levels incorporating different gameplay styles & not allow both to be used simultaneously in any stage. It sucks how this limitation exists.

The critique is great, you nailed the aspects and problems I also faced. They should replace the boost button with the spin button. My only issue is your message near the end. Their Patreon is only for donations, not to make money off of Sonic Omens. I don't see why donations is a bad thing considering that this game will remain free for a very long time (at least that should be the case). Again, the option to give them money is completely OPTIONAL. It was the same issue with Sonic Smackdown and I heavily disagree with the notion that donating money to indie studios because you enjoyed their free fan project is just as bad as paying a marked price for a fangame. Great video overall. Keep it up my man!

Excellent review here’s hoping they do address the critiques here because I also like this fangame but the issues needs some ironing out

Personally, I like the boost and adventure mix. Maybe make the time you have to boost less/ make it harder to get? Or have mach speed levels (waterfall chase for example) like in sonic 06 and remove boost from all other stages. I hope they dont remove it completely though.

How do you open up the game? I extracted the download file but I have no idea how to start the game up.

I very much disagree with the first half. This game actually makes you work harder for your boost than most official games, rings fill it up the least & enemies barely give half a gauge somtimes while the capsules are the most reliable. If you actually dont do well you run out of boost very fast and leaves you vulnerable. This also gives good reasons for the power ups you mentioned. When you cant boost you're left vulnerable, sonic is then open to enemy attack. It'd nice if we had different shields that do different things or replace the boost when the shield is active like mania. Plus sonic platforms in this so why use the boost in clear precision platforming? They give other movement options like the bounce, stomp, & homing attack. And the exploration aspect i feel was a weird critique on your part. Its your fault if you choose to run past everything and not explore. Its the same in games like the classic trilogy, CD, sa1&2, unleashed, colors, & generations. They give you places and routes to explore- but if you're focused on just speed running the level, you will miss em. Its not the games fault but yours. Personally, the game just isn't the same when running without the boost. You say you dont have to worry where you're going with the boost while you very much do. Theres spikes and sometimes pits you can boost off to if you aren't paying attention, and if you choose not to boost there are enemies that you'll have to be aware off that can shoot you- this is great for players choice of control. Plus the enemies can still shoot you while boosting or running out of boost. Since sonic is harder to control while boosting its an option button for if you're feeling alittle brave as you mastered the control of sonic in this game Lastly, the section where you talk about the water section doesn't make sense to me. With or without boosting if you mess up and fall in then your punished the same way. You cant just boost out the water especially if your gauge is low. You're going to have to find your way to dry land and run it again. And the spin dash is in here for when you run out of boost. I can never understand someone talking about earning speed in sonic games were the spin dash is present. Its quickly gained speed just as much as the boost. Plus holding forward for sonics top speed doesn't feel earned when its easy to do, like most sonic games Thats all

Another problem to me is also kind of how... the robots in the stages don't serve a real purpose? From what i've seen they're just... there. you can easily run past them and most of the time they're no danger and just make me wonder why they were put in that spot but maybe that's just me tbh, in the adventure games they at least were a genuine threat sometimes - now the main threat is... falling down

I wish I could see project hero 2H with the first level

After playing it for a while and listening to your point about the level design, I have noticed it does have a very Adventure style structure to it, almost as if the boost was really an afterthought when you really think about it; they clash too bad at times it hurts. Best example being White Jungle, you cannot really boost through the whole thing or you're gonna just fall off a lot, they didn't really take your speed into consideration. I also just hate any wall in that stage that forces you to crouch because it kills your WHOLE momentum, literally came to this video after struggling to correctly slide under those, it's like they had different people designing these since Chao Paradise does a good job of letting the player roam.

Absolute worst fangame ever for being monetised

I have to disagree about you're thoughts on the boost, seen people use it in the Tree section to get insane short cuts. Feels like one of those mechanics that if you know how to use it well you can do some crazy platforming while still keeping relative speed

I liked the idea of having adventure levels, and mach levels in 06, even if 06 didn't do it too well.

Maybe instead of having the boost maybe have a button that gives you a small burst of speed that isn’t consistent but it’s very small and it gives to a small lunge forward while keeping at normal running speed or just simply do the spin dash but seriously this game looks incredible

I wont support this literally for the fact theyre profiting and have no intention to NOT profit. Aside from that your content is excellent and you deserve way more attention.

I liked the tree level, using your platforming and exploration to get up there felt pretty good

Ok I’ve played this game and I will say it’s a mixed bag BUT Like how you played it without the boost OMFG I loved it XD

When playing the game I always wished the boost button worked exactly how it worked when I was out of boost energy. Dashing forward in the air is so satisfying and I wish more Sonic games did it like Adventure.

They should keep the boost

id love for there to be more bods fights like colours, and, philosophically (not in practice), like this game. it makes it more like a fight than a waiting game

The platformer controls are fine just get your skill up sir the game gives you every chance to not fall on your first play. Boost is very limited and drains quick its the skill of keeping up. You can boost alot in the tree stage you can boost anywhere on any stage. Im just seeing player mistakes in this video lol.

Great video, your criticisms are very constructive and I can see they are made with the intention of improving what is already a pretty great and fun game. Honestly, I keep going back to it whenever I can, it has tremendous replayability despite its flaws.

2:08 I mean you you use the boost in midair in order to get more distance from a jump

Ok cool, I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who really wasn't a fan of the plane controls. I'm stuck on the plane boss fight and honestly contemplating just quitting all together because if I gotta do that freaking tree level, I'm not gonna be a happy camper. Complaints aside, I had a blast in Chao Paradise. It was fast, fun, and really just a delight for a first stage.

id personally want them to bring back the op spindash from adventure 1 but i still like the boost

Valid points, since it seems you like an open world/adventure gameplay style, it would be cool if you rewiewed Sonic GT

Game devs: builds stages to try different moves for sonic This guy: U s e l e s s

i had an issue with this game that no one seems to be talking about, when im playing as shadow the chaos dash for some reason doesn't work properly, making the level litterally impossible to complete, let me explain, the chaos dash is supposed to take you where the camera is pointing at, right? but with me, when i press the chaos dash button no matter where the camera is pointing at shadow always go forward, not up, not down, just forward, if this is because im playing with mouse and keyboard then please fix it, because i don't have a controller to use on pc and it sucks that i need one to complete the level

I love the boss fight design

Yeah I kinda get what you’re going at but honestly just having the option to boost or to not is pretty cool imo. The boost is really nerfed in this game anyways doesn’t go on forever like unleased or generations I found myself running out of it frequently. Tho I will say controlling sonic and shadow on the tubes or even around loops was really clunky for me. Most of the time I flew out and died. Great review hope they fix this game.

Personally I want Sonic to be physics based in this Game, going as fast as boost based off how much momentum you get and you can also smoothly transition into a Spin Dash while running to attack enemies.

Personally, I think the best way to handle Boost and Adventure style in the same game is to straight up separate the two. Either separate the level in two sections or maybe one level is Boost based and another levels Adventure based. I’ve seen this same idea incorporated into a Dreams Sonic fangame, and it works well in my eyes.

In regards to the songs, I noticed that at least one song is ripped from Sonic Forces.

2 Questions: Do you think the boost could work in the adventure levels if it was relegated to a power up? Like if you could only use it if you had a fire shield? Would adding more rings help the confusing progression?

They should’ve done what this other game did where you would spindash when going regular speed but when you reached maxed speed you would boost. Making it so you would have to earn the speed and boost as a reward.

11:51 this is the most important thing stated in this entire video.

I would love to make an adventure fan game but I just don’t have time, nor do I know where to start.

Honestly, I'd like to see areas on a stage that you have to use boost but it as challenges, like obstacles that can hurt you, stop you or slow you down, out of those areas the boost should be something possible but rare to use, that if badly used you'll rarely get a chance to or be able to get to boost, making it a skillful mechanic (this would depend a lot in level design) Another way to keep the boost, would be making it a power up for the player to use on certain moments, like Shadow did in 06 when removing his wrist rings, it would keep the boost, but give it an entirely different meaning and way to use it, as the player would also need to fill that power up fully before using it

What if the boost was just a 2 - 3 charge pulse dash for a limited jumpstart only, instead of a sustainable speed button you can hold down.

have yet to play it myself (my PC is probably too outdated haha) but I do agree that the level design and look of Sonic's control would defo fit adventure style Sonic more, so if they added a spin-dash like Adventure or even Lost World where you can chain it together it would suit it better. I love the story though, the opening where you start in Sonic's house with all the references to old Sonic games was beautiful, and the subtle reprise of Sonic's leitmotif from Sonic X was heaven to my ears! I just dunno if I can support the game tho coz of the devs and how scummy they are with the patreon. I just fear that if it continues that Sega may be forced to DMC the game and be less willing to let fan projects go on in the future which would be a tragedy.

honestly there should be levels dedicated to each formula, one for the boost level and one for the adventure style

how about you can go to settings and change what type of abilty you want like you can either choose the boost or the spindash

Maybe a fix concept to the boost mechanic could be turning the boost bar into bursts. Give Sonic/Shadow 3 bursts that could be gain by getting burst items or changing the way the boost is gained by making it harder to fill the bar or maybe remove it all together and put back Sonic's spin dash. I'm fine w the boss battles but the camera and camera control is super trash but they really tried to copy the style of older sonic games instead of studying it and improving on it.

thanks - this really had to be said

I'm glad to see you mentioned the Patreon at the end. It's really messed up how they think that it's okay to STEAL your money.

I'm really curious about your thoughts on Sonic GT now

I can't wait to try it at least, and to surprise my friend who loves sonic tomorrow afternoon (this is being commented at night and I just downloaded the game) only got into the sonic stuff cause of him.

I was going to say myself while it is a looker, the fact they are looking for money, and were actually lock demo behind paywalls is not cool. All it takes is one selfish group of assholes to ruin it for everyone as Sega begins to do as Nintendoes and slap C&Ds on fan games. Also I agree with you on the voicing acting, as it seems abit stiff and clunky when compared to say the Adrenaline Dubs IDW comic dubs, or for just for Tails, Emi Jones in Sonic and Tails R (mostly as the rest of the cast are actual Sonic voice actors, like Ryan Drummond and Mike Pollock).

Haha you had me kinda triggered at first but you right! Id say its just a fan game but they are taking donations so it should be critiqued as such!

Shadow is my Fav in the whole series, so it hurts my ears and soul to hear shadow have a French accent. I'm gonna be honest though, The essence of Shadow's style of voice was there but it was... Over Shadow'ed by his accent and it always threw me off. I don't find many uses for the chaos spear givin how slow the charge up is for just tapping the button, I don't have many uses for a lot of the chaos abilities that shadow has, I hope they make more use of this awesome chaos mechanic. Obviously they don't have to but......... I would like to fulfil my Shadow Dream and pull his Motorcycle out of his Prison Wallet to Ride around in specific stages like that Water Beach stage, Chao something, I forgot what it's called. Like we could ride his Cycle across the water with enough speed, Would be awesome. Tails, they had me going with that tails voice in the first 10-15 sec that he started talking in, but then the Tails voice dropped and Tails turned into a girl. I pretty sure this Tails IS voiced by a girl unless its a guy voicing him who can sound like a girl. Sonic was Sonic, don't know what else to say, I liked it. Rouge was off af. White Jungle and GUN Training Stage WERE SOO GOT DAMN ANNOYING AND CONFUSING AF. The Tails Jet mission was Cool af because I have never seen that in any Official Sonic Title, Janky at times and that camera was disorienting and the hover mode was slow af at times. but my biggest complaint would be no was to just go Straight UP or DOWN without LOOKING UP or DOWN. Other than that, Tails Mission was pretty Badass for that being the first attempt (as far as I know). BOSS FIGHTS. That first one... It's not the worst for fan made but, you gotta get closer for him to do something different which is something they need to fix. Give him more things to do from far away to make him more of a threat and when we latch onto his green belly button make us jump away further so he's not slapping us with that Italian robo sausage If they make him more interesting to fight against then I don't mind the longer health bars. the second boss fight... aka Great Value Darksiders 2 Undead City well of souls Boss. they need to fix that camera focus that crap pissed me off. when you hit him in the head you are RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIS HEAD TO GET HIT, I hate that for this boss. this boss also isn't that interesting. and as for boost I agree and disagree at the same time. Boost should not be used to bypass an entire level. The boost can work but It shouldn't be the focus of gameplay, if we hold down the boost let it run for like max 2-3 sec maybe. But it's nice to have at specific parts that become annoying to get past without it... thus to the next topic and of course one of the downfalls of the platforming parts, if you don't jump BEFORE you reach the edge of the platform you are jumping from, you WILL NOT GET A DOUBLE JUMP.

I never realized how useless the boost is however the boost being a gimmick with 06 mock speed could work you see the boost and adventure formular can work in the same game together but not in the same control also one thing you didn’t mention which is weird if your camera is not facing an enemie you won’t home on to it or you have to swing your camera to home

How do you feel about sonic gt?

sonic and shadow's bosses are fine in my opinion. tweaking them to make it easier would make it more boring. i like a challenge

I agree with most of your points, but the part about the devs Patreon is not as bad as it seems It's not like they are making you pay to play the game, in fact, the patreon is completely separate from the game, people can play the game without supporting them with patreon, people can support the patreon without playing the game (if they played a different game made by the same devs, maybe not even a sonic fangame), people use patreon to support the developers, not the game

They should add a difficulty without boost (Earned Speed)

The boost should be used as it was in Sonic Unleashed on the Wii: single use, only it should be waaaay harder to fill the meter to get a single one. The boost works better as a 'take off' button than an ability you hold down through entire levels.

I think a hood version of a hybrid of the Adventure and boost formula gameplay would be have boosting only be available in a section like the mach speed sections from Sonic 06.

In theory you could make the boost work into an adventure styled game rather well... If it was exclusively an advanced technique. Which would necessitate 1: designing the levels to make sure that this smoothly designed adventure gameplay can be smoothly broken in a high risk high reward manner (without breaking it in the glitch sense) 2: making the actual boost resource limited so that it cannot become something the player can rely on. 3: making at least one level where you literally don't have the boost at all the first time through, to teach the player how to traverse the world without it. 4: designing at least some areas built specifically for the boost, serving as a method of priming players to see the levels in a different light and take the leap in learning how to tear through the regular levels with it. ... But unless your level design is as tightly made as a Metroid game's, I think it would be better not to bother.