Don\'t deny the comparison and don\'t act like it is a bad thing to compare the games. Sonic was compared to Mario, but done enough to become a succesful franchise on it\'s own. Comparing a game to a previous game is not a bad thing, so let\'s not act like saying "it\'s Tomb Raider with a dude", is a bad thing.
How irrelevant. Comparing to spot the improvements, welcome differences and reintroduction of important elements - or the opposite, is one thing. Pointing towards the surface only to conclude that it is basically the same game under a different skin is another. Not to mention that there was no real substantial comparison in that sentence you posted.
I ve never heard anyone calling Sonic "another Mario, only with hedgehog instead of a plumber". And if anyone did, he was obviously wrong.
Thats why Sonic "has done enough" to become differentiated and fun on its own merit and thus succesful.