Highlights

  • Rouge's character in Sonic Forces was not well-received by fans, as she lacked her usual charm and depth that made her a beloved character in the franchise.
  • Rouge's role as the leader of Team Dark showcased her ability to control and inspire her teammates, challenging stereotypes about women in leadership positions.
  • With the franchise being reset with new writers, there is hope that Rouge's character will be given the opportunity to shine and showcase her true personality as a dynamic secret agent with a heart of gold.

It isn't uncommon for a fanbase to wish for the golden era of their beloved franchise back. After all, sometimes something good gets left behind. In Sonic's case, Rouge was left behind. She used to be a powerful and in-charge sister figure to a lot of the characters, especially the fan-favorite Team Dark. However, as the series gets a refresh with new writers coming in, the personality of Sonic's Rouge may also get a refresh.

One of the more recent times Rouge was seen in a game was with Sonic Forces, but she wasn't the Rouge people knew and loved. She was corny and felt flat compared to how she used to be, especially back in Sonic Adventure 2. In that game, she had a full arc and became who she is as she got to know Shadow. Rouge isn't being used to her best potential, and it could be a while before fans see her again.

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Sonic’s Rouge: All She Could Be

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Who Rouge Was

Before Shadow broke through and made her a little softer, she was a lot more self-centered and selfish. Rouge was an incredibly smart agent who was working undercover to gain the trust of fan-favorite Sonic villain Dr. Eggman.

Sonic 's Rouge was even manipulative to a certain degree, and at the end of the day, she wanted her hands on some shiny gems to make things better for herself.

Rouge in Team Dark

Once the franchise brought Shadow back after his death in Sonic Adventure 2, he joined Rouge's side in Sonic's Team Dark, alongside Omega. This is where Rouge really shone as a character, as she was the glue that held the two of them together. Rouge was an icon for many as she led the team throughout many of the games. She took on the leader role and this was inspiring to see as a female character.

Women in leadership positions aren't always taken seriously, but Rouge controls the team like no other. It's very clear that she's found a family alongside Shadow and Omega in her team, but also her life. She isn't afraid to be sensitive and comfort her friends, like when she tells Shadow she'll always be at his side in the infamous Sonic 06. And she is—it's hard to imagine one without the other, as they are an inseparable match-up.

Rouge for the Future

With the franchise being reset with new writers, Rouge's character can't be judged just yet. Sonic Forces was arguably not a good interpretation of Rouge's character as she didn't have her usual charm. In the future, there's hope that Rouge will be the awesome older sister figure fans have known her to be for a long time now.

It would be good to see Team Dark come back someday officially, but even if it's just Rouge, Shadow, and Omega near one another, fans can dream. Rouge's character shines with her two teammates, who are like brothers to her. To see her synergize with the crew now would be nice and a good way to show off her character, who she really is: a dynamic secret agent with a heart of gold, who knows how to gift herself the finer things in life.

Rouge was a wonderfully written character despite not having too deep of a backstory. In the future, Sonic fans can count on her reappearance, hopefully with the same personality and antics as she used to have, if not something even more well-rounded and fleshed out.