Valid! My vision for the game, if it were to be finished, has a story with a dreamy, abstract, metaphorical feel to it, which could not fit within the scope of the game jam, and was conveyed in the aesthetic but not in the gameplay. My intent was to get a form of flow state vibe that merges difficulty and focus into a calm but active state, while remaining lighthearted and fun. But thinking back I don't know if that was achieved, nor if that direction is a good fit for a sonic-like.
Though I must ask, so I can weight your criticism and know if this is an issue I need to fix or player preference, do you generally dislike sonic games, faster paced, or platforming games? Do you prefer relaxing games? Or is it only the disconnect between the expectations set by the main menu and the core gameplay that ticked you off? If so, do you have any suggestions on how to better convey the intended user experience for newer players, whether that's in the game or on the itchi.io page or description?