Flying Pod

Flying Pod (フライングポッド) is the first extra stage in Sonic Forces. It is unlocked after collecting twenty-five Red Star Rings and is playable only as the Sonic the Hedgehog and Shadow the Hedgehog (with the Episode Shadow DLC)

Overview
Flying Pod takes place across a large section of Lost Valley.

Gameplay
The course through Flying Pod takes place entirely in 2.5D and is a straight path with a number of twists and turns.

Throughout Flying Pod, the player will be pursued by an increasing number of Sprinklers. These Badniks will either follow the player around from midair or suddenly appear and hover in a stationary position. As it is customary for the Sprinklers, these Badniks will spew out objects while they move around; most of them will spew out spiked balls for the player to ram into while the rest will spew out Rings. Sprinklers also cannot be destroyed, although hitting them will make them spew out a Ring.

Aside from Sprinklers, the player will also come across spikes and breakable Containers blocking the player's path. It is also common for Sprinklers to intercept the player above bottomless pits so the player will be caught off guard by their attacks and fall into the pits below.