SEGA has released a fresh batch of Sonic Forces gameplay footage for your viewing pleasure, this time focusing on the upcoming platform game’s classic 2D levels, namely a revamp of the iconic Green Hill Zone.
This classic stage was originally featured in Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) and provided a solid introduction to the Blue Blur’s abilities and trademark speed, with its various loops, tunnels, and spike pits offering a brilliant mix of 2D platforming, badnick-bashing, and challenge. As such, it’s great to see the team have done what seems to be a faithful recreation of the Green Hill Zone for Sonic’s next outing.
Check out the latest Sonic Forces gameplay trailer below.
Sonic Forces is due out in late 2017 on PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The game combines both 2D and 3D levels in a similar manner to that of Sonic Generations, with both the classic Sonic and his modern counterpart teaming up to tackle the latest threat to their respective worlds. The game is one of two Sonic titles coming out to mark the series’ 25th anniversary, the other being the retro-flavored Sonic Mania.
SEGA’s spiky mascot has suffered from a well-publicised fall from grace in the past decade or so, which many argue began with Sonic’s transition to 3D with the Dreamcast title Sonic Adventure. Since then, the Japanese software giant has attempted to reinvigorate the franchise with varying degrees of success (Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations are some of the highlights), although some proved to be major low points for the Spiky Speedster—2006’s Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic and the Black Knight certainly rank amongst such disasters.