While basic controls are simple, mastering advanced movement can shave seconds off your time and open new paths:
- Spin Dash Chaining: In some areas, you can repeatedly Spin Dash immediately after landing from a jump or another Spin Dash to maintain incredibly high speeds. This is crucial for speedrunning.
- Slope Momentum: Learn how to use slopes to your advantage. A well-timed jump at the bottom of a steep slope can launch Sonic much further than a regular jump.
- Air Roll: While in the air, pressing the jump button again will make Sonic curl into a ball. This is useful for hitting enemies above you or extending your hitbox slightly for certain platforms.
- Precise Landing: Practice landing on small platforms or enemies. A well-timed jump on an enemy can bounce you to higher areas, often called 'enemy bouncing'.
- Cornering: When going around tight corners at high speed, a quick tap in the opposite direction can help Sonic maintain his path without losing too much momentum.
These techniques require practice but are essential for truly mastering Sonic's physics and achieving optimal performance.
While the classic Spin Dash remains a staple for momentum, Sonic Forces replaces this mechanic with the Boost system to emphasize linear, high-speed traversal over physics-based platforming.