The seven character types each come with their own special ability, which are:
Bear — Blows away enemies with a homing attack
Bird — Flies high with double jump abilities
Cat — Keeps one ring after being hit
Dog — Restarts with five rings after the player dies
Hedgehog — Collects rings when getting damaged
Rabbit — Has longer invincible time after receiving damage
Wolf — Automatically draws in rings when near them
Beyond choosing one of these seven types, players can customize the look of their character, including outfitting them with hundreds of accessories and costuming options unlocked while playing through the game. Each customized Hero will have a grappling hook as a means of platforming, and the characters can be customized further via Wispons, which are a new take on the Color Powers from Sonic Colors. The Wispons are unique gadgets that can be used both as weapons and for traversing through levels.