People who aren't Sonic fans made fun of the Avatar stuff, sure. We all knew they would the moment it was announced and I'm sure that included people at Sega of America (probably not Sonic Team though).
That said, I think the idea is genius. The whole "OC do not steal" meme exists for a reason, after all. A lot of Sonic fans clearly love the designs of the characters and want to make their own. It's fitting that they're finally able to in an actual game. Even as someone who doesn't care for this aspect of the fanbase, I can get behind its inclusion... especially since the game ignores the more... nsfw reasons people make fun of that stuff.
The big problem with the Avatar is that its gameplay is too much like a weaker version of Modern Sonic but with poorly implemented guns. Honestly, the gunplay in Shadow's game was way better implemented. The Avatar gameplay should have been something like a faster paced and more platformer-heavy version of Ratchet & Clank.
I fully blame the OC for Forces' lack of content. They should be more considerate about where the franchise is going and what they can build for use in future games like they do with Yakuza titles.
Do I think the idea is bad? Not really, but it is pretty clear that most of it's problems revolve around it's inclusion. Considering how limited it is and how unlikely it is to return I doubt it will be looked back on as an especially notable inclusion in the future. I fully expect SEGA to trash it and move on away from it entirely like they did with Valkyria Revolution.
Aye, and it catered to 4 important, money-spending types of fans in particular.
1. Furries
2. Kids
3. Boost Aficionados
4. Modders
Why this gets ignored is foolish.
Money-spending types of fans?
1. Sort of. I mean, most I see rather be able to play as Tails or some of the others again.
2. What kids? Iizuka's only mentioned Mania when it comes to selling to kids. There is no evidence suggesting this is a game kids like much.
3. Most of them agree Unleashed, Colors and Generations are a lot better.
4. It literally has the worst modding scene out of any 3D Sonic game except maybe Adventure 2 and uhh... Riders? Wish I waited to buy the game because I expected much better from it in regards to this.
Doesn't matter how the internet hyperbole machine received Forces, it sold well on consoles.
"Sold well" is something that pops up too much when discussing Sonic Forces. We have no direct numbers and it only ever showed up once in UK and Japanese charts then was gone forever after that. The price of the game on consoles completely plummeted within weeks of release so I somehow doubt it's been some secret hit when it already launched at a budget price.
Before it launched I was expecting at least Generations tier sales, but everything we have seen suggests it is nowhere near half that. Pathetic considering it had Mania's momentum, was the first major 3D Sonic in a long while, had a mobile game tie-in and was tapping into a part of the fandom that has always been notable but never had a game 'for them'. Random internet hyperbole aside (which was never something I personally considered seeing as I am the kind of person that pre-ordered Metal Gear Survive) Sonic Forces just simply is not a notable title for SEGA or the Sonic franchise in any way.
It is worth noting that Sonic Forces: Speed Battle has done pretty good and SEGA might be referencing that as well when they state Forces being a success. Nothing else really makes sense to me, at least.
