Here’s your first look at the blue hedgehog back in action in Sonic Forces

I’ve clearly woken up in a parallel universe. One where Oxo reigns supreme over Bovril and Marmite, Suicide Squad won several Oscar awards and Too Human got a few sequels after launch. Because right now, I’m looking at a Sonic the Hedgehog game that I actually want to play. The first of its kind since I put down the controller after a marathon sweaty session of the third game on the ol’ SEGA Megadrive back in the day.

Revealed last year during those bizarre celebrations for their iconic fast-talking blue hedgehog, Project Sonic 2017 now has a name: Sonic Forces. Here’s what it looks like in action. Gotta go faster!

If you can’t see the video above because your boss is a jerk or a collection of cute and cuddly animals within a cold and uncaring metal shell, it’s a short but sweet dash of speed and agility. The best Sonic games have always managed to connect fast footwork with a sense of motion and rhythm. Something that has clearly been lacking whenever SEGA has attempted to recapture the glory of Sonic’s best 3D days, such as the divine Sonic Adventure from 1998.

I’m cautiously optimistic for this version, which runs on “The Hedgehog Engine 2” (teehee). If Sonic Forces can make each stage a puzzle of speed, timing and agility then I’m sold. Combine all of that into a product that oozes a flow of motion that puts you in the zone, and you’re good. Think DOOM’s precision and power that disconnects you from the rest of the world. That’s what I want to see from Sonic Forces. Not that Sonic Boom nonsense which was thankfully short-lived and seems to have fizzled out completely.

Sonic Forces is scheduled for a late 2017 release on PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.

Last Updated: March 20, 2017