Were there really ever "multiple routes from A to B" in the Adventure games? That's really my big critique of those stages compared to Generations. Every stage in SA1, SA2 and Heroes is just a beeline to the end with only a few exceptions--and usually the shortcuts in those stages are glitches or oversights.

The reason I like the boost gameplay is because there is some upper echelon of skill, and there is some variance in the level design. Ideally, I would want to see that aspect of it fleshed out more, and I think slowing the stages down and allowing some freedom.

I would never want a straight-up "Sonic Adventure 3" because the way those games played is just far too dated and wouldn't hold up for me if they brought it back. But the boost gameplay is kinda wearing thin out of repetition, and they haven't really done anything new, or good, with it. I think I'd be able to form a concrete opinion after Forces comes out, this is kind of a make or break title for this gameplay style--if they don't nail it after Lost World had already failed then I think it's time Sega goes back to the drawing board with 3D Sonic. Unleashed, Colors and Generations were great but they just don't seem to be able to get anything new out of this gameplay-wise.