I think what's driving me crazy about this most is how much the early game feels like a real Game Gear entry in the Sonic franchise. Like Sonic Chaos or Sonic Blast or something. Even the chiptune remixes of Sky Sanctuary and so on feel like it came from the era!
Anyway, this game was genuinely impressive. I wasn't sure at first, I thought it'd be another EXE slopfest, but it reminds me a lot of Hellfire Saga (The S3&K romhack). The late-game spriting and writing is just stellar, and it feels very polished! Thank you for this <3