If I had to sum up Sonic Forces in a word, it'd be... disappointing.
It's not a bad game, but it's not a great game either. The levels feel short, the character creation feels like it's missing some options (bears should not be that skinny), and the writing is cringy at times. Props to them for making Eggman threatening this time, at least...
But I feel there's a lot of missed opportunities and bad decisions in this game. Classic Sonic's presence in this game feels very unnecessary. And I know this is just my nostalgia talking, but this would have been a perfect game to introduce the Freedom Fighters into.
And then there's the 'Eggman Empire.'
So much hype, and the conquest happened offscreen. And then there's the legion of baddies... who all turned out to be clones. And you don't even get to fight Chaos and Shadow. They get taken out in cutscenes. And Zavok just rode a bee. Wasted, wasted potential...
*sighs* So yeah. Sonic Forces. A nice try, but a bad case of close but no cigar.