Though I did watch a lot of videos that break down almost all the changes in this version, and it is truly astounding. Beyond just the fact that it's a legitimate fan-made port of a console-exclusive game, it also fixes most of the bugs and improves almost everything about it.

Still, is that enough to save Sonic 06?

The core gameplay is definitely a massive improvement. Tons of mechanics were brought up to the level of Sonic Adventure or better, and a lot of them are configurable. But there are things around the mechanics that I feel can't really be fixed and are still dragging the overall experience down.

When I first started playing it, I was enjoying the hell out of it because it felt so close to the original Sonic Adventure. I even thought at one point that this is the sequel we never got. And, to be clear, when this game is good, it's incredible. But then soon enough I started to run into issues. Like sometimes the auto-aim would just not work as expected, or the camera would switch to a different (and static) angle mid platforming, or a command would not register, etc.

Then the level design. There are so many moments when it pulls a Dark Souls on you and literally punishes you for doing what it encouraged you to do. Like it would guide you to a speed booster and place an enemy right in front of it. And it does that often enough that it causes plenty of deaths.

Speaking of deaths, you get 5 lives for each level, and they carry over into other levels, and reset upon a game over. As a result you will often decide to commit suicide because you'd be in situations where, for example, you have 2 lives and you know you can't beat the level with just two lives. I get that this is probably not how it works in the official version because this port doesn't have hub areas and boss fights yet, but nevertheless this was something that I found frustrating.

Another thing that I think is really poorly made in this game is the snowboarding and vehicle sections. Absolutely horrendous physics and controls, I kept bumping into everything. The first snowboarding level as Sonic is so broken too, I kept losing momentum and getting stuck in pits. And the trampoline jumps often didn't work despite me pressing the key in time.

I kinda gave up on beating the game after dying about 20 times on the Radical Train level as Sonic. That level is filled with examples of most of the things I mentioned before, but also has these invisible timers and conveyor belts that send you going so fast, it's hard to reorient yourself with the shitty camera. And then the moments when you need your auto-aim the most, it just doesn't work and sends you flying into the abyss.

Most of the other characters feel broken, although they're still fun to play. It's just some of the mechanics feel OP, in particular Shadow and Blaze. Platforming as Silver I found very difficult to do because he can fly, but it's hard to tell where you're gonna land because of the bad camera. But then sometimes instead of flying, when pressing double-jump, he will do a dash forward and fall into the abyss. I don't know why, maybe he's suicidal.

Finally, I wanna talk about the aesthetics. Because I think Sonic Adventure is one of the nicest looking and sounding games ever. I don't feel that way about Sonic 06. I think it's okay in this regard, but there wasn't a single location or song that had an impression on me. At first, I thought maybe it's just my nostalgia for Sonic Adventure, but then I thought about that Sonic Unleashed I played just before this, and that game made a very strong impression on me when it comes to visuals and music. I think the problem with Sonic 06 is that it's trying too hard to look realistic. The beach level looks like something out of Crysis, and the snow level reminds me of Metal Gear Solid, then there's a hellish level in an apocalyptic city, and then one in a volcano. There's a couple of throwbacks to the levels of Sonic Adventure 1 and 2, but they look much less pretty here, again I think because they go for a more realistic and serious look, which just doesn't fit into the fun, child-oriented aesthetic of the franchise.

So, I have to say, my final impression was that of a disappointment. At its best moments, this game can definitely feel like Sonic Adventure or even better, but sadly the game is still riddled with issues and just bad design. I think, if I have to die more than 20 times to beat a level, either I suck really bad, or there's something wrong with the game. Possibly a little bit of both. And the presentation sadly is kinda lacking in this one. I think most Sonic games are more colorful and pleasant to look at.