It is everything I liked about Spark the Electric Jester 2's platforming and fast paced action. The movement and platforming is everything 3D Sonic wishes he could come close too. Unfortunately it doubles down on the combat mechanics I didn't like from Spark the Electric Jester 2.

Said combat is now even more annoying with the addition of unparriable yellow attacks and grabbing green attacks. This doesn't make it particularly more difficult, just more of a chore to move out of the way. The difficulty options for combat mostly just change how much damage you give and can take, so there is little reason to choose one of the higher difficulties. The less time you have to engage in combat in this game the better. While it was an annoying but rare occurrence in 2, 3 takes great pleasure in slamming your face into an invisible wall in the middle of the speedy fun bits of levels to force you into its new combat.

The vehicle additions were mixed. I rarely got into the car without it ending up flipped over by the end of the ride, but the hovercraft was surprisingly nimble and usable. It begs the question "why am I driving a car or plane in a Sonic-styled platformer?" Also the free fall mechanic was a mistake and I hated the free roaming "find all the coins" and score attack levels. It probably doesn't need to be mentioned but I hated the combat arena levels too.

Everything I liked about the previous entry is just as good, but it adds on to the pile of stuff I didn't like about it. I just want to go fast.

It is everything I liked about Spark the Electric Jester 2's platforming and fast paced action. The movement and platforming is everything 3D Sonic wishes he could come close too. Unfortunately it doubles down on the combat mechanics I didn't like from Spark the Electric Jester 2. Said combat is now even more annoying with the addition of unparriable yellow attacks and grabbing green attacks. This doesn't make it particularly more difficult, just more of a chore to move out of the way. The difficulty options for combat mostly just change how much damage you give and can take, so there is little reason to choose one of the higher difficulties. The less time you have to engage in combat in this game the better. While it was an annoying but rare occurrence in 2, 3 takes great pleasure in slamming your face into an invisible wall in the middle of the speedy fun bits of levels to force you into its new combat. The vehicle additions were mixed. I rarely got into the car without it ending up flipped over by the end of the ride, but the hovercraft was surprisingly nimble and usable. It begs the question "why am I driving a car or plane in a Sonic-styled platformer?" Also the free fall mechanic was a mistake and I hated the free roaming "find all the coins" and score attack levels. It probably doesn't need to be mentioned but I hated the combat arena levels too. Everything I liked about the previous entry is just as good, but it adds on to the pile of stuff I didn't like about it. I just want to go fast.