Sega Releases 'Sonic Forces' Footage Featuring Classic Green Hill Zone Level

Developer Sega has shared more gameplay footage of its upcoming new Sonic the Hedgehog game called “Sonic Forces.” The video shows Sonic running through the classic Green Hill Zone level.

The gameplay footage of “Sonic Forces” has drawn comparisons to “Sonic Generations.” The game looks and plays similarly to “Generations” that it’s basically a sequel, as pointed out by Engadget. Sega says that “Sonic Forces” will be about the battle between the forces of good and evil.

The game will allow users to play in classic style or modern style (like “Temple Run”) type of gameplay. The modern style of gameplay was first revealed last month. Sega hasn’t revealed how the two styles are incorporated into “Sonic Forces,” but the popular speculation is that both styles will be on the game half and half.

It wasn’t made clear on which system the newly released gameplay footage of “Sonic Forces” was captured on. The game will be available for the Nintendo Switch, the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and the PC.

“Sonic Forces” is being developed by the Sonic Team, and Sega says that it’s running on a new engine that’s called The Hedgehog Engine 2, according to GameSpot. The classic look has been updated to 3D graphics, while all the classic sound effects and music are still around to match with the side-scrolling runner.

So far, “Sonic Forces” looks great. However, Sega hasn’t really revealed what completely separates the game from the rest of the franchise, as pointed out by The Verge. The worst case scenario here is that Sega might introduce something new that no one actually wants in a Sonic game.

Sega hasn’t revealed an exact release date for “Sonic Forces” yet, but the publisher did say that it was going to launch during the 2017 holiday season.