SONIC FORCES (NSP, XCI) ROM + v1.1.0 Update + All DLCs

SONIC FORCES is a 2017 platform game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega. It was produced in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. Sonic the Hedgehog joins a resistance force alongside Classic Sonic, his past self, and the Rookie, a survivor of Eggman’s attacks. Together they must stop Doctor Eggman, who has conquered most of the world alongside Infinite.

A new enemy, who wields the power of the Phantom Ruby and can create limitless numbers of illusionary clones of past villains. It features three gameplay modes: “Classic”, side-scrolling gameplay similar to the original Sega Genesis Sonic games; “Modern”, 3D gameplay similar to Sonic Unleashed (2008) and Sonic Colors (2010); and a mode featuring the “Avatar”, the player’s custom character.

In this game, you’ll have the chance to play three unique characters with different gameplay styles. Use Modern Sonic’s blazing speed to defeat enemies, navigate perilous platforms with Classic Sonic’s catapulting abilities, and create your very own Custom Hero Character equipped with a range of powerful gadgets.

The fate of Sonic’s world is in your hands, and it’s up to you to build an army and join the uprising to reclaim what was once lost. Experience the ultimate fast-paced action as you fight for freedom and take down the forces of evil. Are you ready to join the uprising and help Sonic save the world?

GAMEPLAY

Sonic Forces is an action-adventure platform game similar in gameplay and style to prior Sonic the Hedgehog games. The player’s goal is to liberate the world from the newly established reign of Doctor Eggman. The game features three playable characters: two variants of Sonic the Hedgehog (“Classic” and “Modern”) and the “Avatar” (the player’s custom character). Each has unique abilities and attributes: Classic Sonic is restricted to side-scrolling gameplay reminiscent of the Sega Genesis Sonic games and can perform a spin dash on the ground and a drop dash in mid-air to gain speed.

Modern Sonic’s gameplay follows a similar style to Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Colors: he can double jump, perform a homing attack on enemies, springs, grappling hooks, and a speed boost by collecting White Wisps. The Avatar is created from a base of seven animal types, which each possess a unique ability; they also wield a grappling hook and can equip weapons known as Wispons, including flamethrowers, whips, and hammers. Depending on the Wispon, Avatars can use temporary abilities by collecting a corresponding Wisp type. Certain parts see players controlling both Modern Sonic and the Avatar, switching between them as necessary, similar to Sonic Heroes.

The game is split into several themed levels, some of which are based on locations from past games, such as Green Hill Zone. Players must complete each level while fighting waves of enemies, and (except for Classic Sonic) seamlessly shift from side-scrolling to third-person perspectives. Stages are filled with features such as springboards, rails, and boost pads, and obstacles such as spikes, bottomless pits, and robots. Scattered around levels are golden rings, which serve as a form of health: rings protect players from damage caused by robots or other hazards, though they lose their rings upon being hit; being hit with no rings kills the player.

The game does not use a traditional life system, instead deducting from the player’s score depending on the number of deaths. Players are given a grade dependent on their performance; an “S” rank is the best and a “C” is the worst. Certain levels feature a boss, which must be defeated to proceed. Bonus levels can be unlocked by collecting Red Rings hidden in most stages and players may occasionally receive SOS Missions, tasking them with replaying levels with a specific objective.

PLOT

Doctor Eggman attacks a city and Sonic sets out to stop him. Upon arriving, he is attacked by Infinite, a mercenary transformed by the power of the Phantom Ruby. Infinite defeats Sonic and he is taken prisoner aboard the Death Egg. Without Sonic, the world is left without a defender, and Eggman, with the help of his robots, Infinite, Shadow the Hedgehog, Chaos, Zavok, and Metal Sonic, manages to conquer it within six months. Knuckles the Echidna forms a resistance movement with Tails, the Chaotix, Amy Rose, Silver the Hedgehog, Rouge the Bat, and a survivor of Eggman’s attack whom they nickname the Rookie.

Knuckles discovers Sonic’s whereabouts and the Rookie steals a space shuttle, breaks into the Death Egg, and rescues Sonic. Back in the city, Tails is attacked by Chaos but is saved by Classic Sonic (who was sent through a wormhole following the events of Sonic Mania). The two set out to spy on Eggman, learning of the Phantom Ruby and that Eggman has a plan to dispose of the resistance which will take effect in three days.

Meanwhile, Sonic encounters Shadow, who reveals that the Shadow following Eggman is an illusionary clone created by the Phantom Ruby, as are the other villains serving him, and that limitless numbers of them can be made. Tails infiltrates Eggman’s computer network and finds the Phantom Ruby’s weakness: the gemstone is directly powered by the Death Egg and will be rendered useless without it. While the Rookie stages a diversion, the Death Egg is destroyed by Classic Sonic. Believing they have the upper hand, the resistance attacks the Eggman Empire’s capital, Metropolis.

However, Eggman has a backup power source hidden in his empire’s fortress, and as the resistance makes their final charge toward it, he has Infinite enact his plan; creating an asteroid-like second sun over the planet that will eliminate the resistance with its impact. Thinking fast, the Rookie uses a prototype Phantom Ruby they had recovered to dispel the sun, saving everybody. Sonic and the Rookie then battle Infinite and defeat him. Eggman unveils yet another backup plan, moving the Phantom Ruby into a battle mech and fighting the resistance directly. Working together, the Sonics and the Rookie defeat Eggman, leaving the doctor’s whereabouts unknown. With the Phantom Ruby neutralized, all the clones serving Eggman’s army vanish, Classic Sonic returns home, the Resistance disbands, and Modern Sonic and his friends set out to restore the world to its former glory while the Rookie leaves to find their way.

EPISODE SHADOW

The DLC pack Episode Shadow serves as a prequel to the story, one month before the main plot begins. Shadow heads into the city towards enemy territory at Rouge’s command, but E-123 Omega ends up causing chaos even though the mission is meant to be recon. As Shadow goes on, Omega starts getting confused, with his sensors becoming disabled, and his mind being corrupted before going silent. It is later revealed that Omega was badly damaged by Infinite, whom Shadow does not recognize. To help him remember, Infinite sends Shadow through a flashback of when Shadow had invaded Dr. Eggman’s base.

The leader of the Jackal Squad mercenaries, the rest of which were taken out by Shadow beforehand, is commanded by Eggman to eliminate Shadow. However, his efforts are futile against Shadow, who easily thrashes him to the side, insults his weakness, and leaves. Unable to handle the pain of being called “weak”, he dons a mask, covering up his past, and gains the power he uses now from the Phantom Ruby, calling himself Infinite from then on. After Infinite snaps Shadow out of the flashback, Shadow is transported to Green Hill Zone, where Infinite demonstrates his ability to manipulate people’s minds by making Shadow think Rouge is talking nonsense to him and Omega is still alive and active, making him realize Infinite’s capabilities.