Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-1031724-20160901000706/@comment-1031724-20160903040141

But of course Unleashed, Colors, and Generations would have to take place in that order, besides, Generations is a direct sequel to Colors

As to Metal Sonic, Sonic 4 may have been released after most of the other games, but Part 1 is set after Sonic & Knuckles and before CD (as it gives Metal Sonic his grand introduction in the postcredits scene), and Part 2 is set directly after CD

And so by "standalone" it'll be in the same continuity but not strictly reference the other games?