Sonic Frontiers is going to be the make or break moment for the Sonic franchise – so here's everything we know so far about Sonic Frontiers.
Basic Information on Sonic Frontiers
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sonic Team
Release Date: TBD 2022
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch
Sonic Frontiers is a much-awaited title in the Sonic the Hedgehog fandom: a promising title that brings the blue blur into an open world. First announced during the Sonic 30th anniversary celebration last year, Frontiers will be informing the direction of the Sonic franchise moving forward. Optimistic fans wish Sonic Frontiers will do to the Sonic franchise what Breath of the Wild did to the Legend of Zelda series – a resurgence and greater recognition from the mainstream gaming audience. The transition from a traditional platformer, whether 2D or 3D, into an open-world environment would take a lot of effort. As such, the game has been built from the ground up, with the development team wanting the game to be the definition of what a modern Sonic game should be like.
However, expectations are very high for this title. While optimistic fans wish the game will rejuvenate the series ala Breath of the Wild, many others fear that Sonic Frontiers is headed to the waterways. The Sonic reboot from 2006 still haunts the dreams of Sonic fans. For a more recent example, 2017's Sonic Forces is still a fresh memory, or much worse, nightmare, for modern Sonic fans. Had it not been for 2010's Sonic Colors, many would have given up on the idea of a 3D Sonic game altogether. But with the success of Colors, there's still a sliver of hope for Sonic Frontiers. The Sonic Team has proven before that they can make a good 3D Platforming Sonic game. They just have to recreate the magic.
Release Date: TBD 2022
We're not entirely sure yet when the game will be coming out. However, the game has less than a year left in the oven before it gets released this 2022. Based on the game's latest gameplay teaser trailer video, however, it feels like Sonic Team would be wise to decide to delay the game for another year. Those who have seen the preview of the game say that it still feels a little bit half-baked, with its open-world design not feeling inspired.
From our own assessment, the new Sonic game has a lot going for it.
We've seen snippets of how 3D platforming will be designed in the open world, although we've only seen so few obstacles so far to make a conclusive thought. There are open fields and rail grinding, some of which are even in the sky! However, in case this is everything that Sonic Frontiers has to offer in terms of 3D platforming level design, then that's not yet enough. Hopefully, what has been shown so far is just an appetizer.
In terms of combat, thankfully, we haven't seen Sonic use a sword to fight yet. No werewolf Sonic, either. We've seen those before, and we didn't like it. Instead, it seems like Sonic will run circles around his enemies in this game – quite literally. From what we've seen so far, Sonic can launch enemies into the air when he successfully circles around them, which then allows him to do a homing attack and do a full-on fist-and-kicks combo to finish his opponent off. We've also seen Sonic deliver a flurry of punches and kicks to enemies after homing in from afar, as well as exploiting enemy weak points.
Open World Setting: Starfall Islands
Players will be exploring the Starfall Islands in Sonic Frontiers – a large open world filled with danger and adventure. There will be different biomes in the game, and we've also seen some environmental weather effects from the trailer, too. There will be flowery fields, forests, ancient ruins, and deserts. The massive world needs to be explored and charted. Thankfully, it seems like the Sonic Boost is still something we can do in this game! It also seems like Sonic Frontiers follow in the footsteps of other open-world games by having these big treadmill-like rings that reveal the surrounding areas when Sonic powers them up like a hamster on a wheel.
Just like in other Sonic games, Starfall Islands is filled with enemies, rings, and rails to grind on – some even suspended in the sky. There are also side activities for Sonic to do, which are marked on the map with question marks. It's not an open-world game without the side quests!
Sonic Frontiers Enemies
So far, the enemies we've seen Sonic fighting in Sonic Frontiers are enemies we've never seen before. With that said, we're not even sure if Dr. Eggman would be here, as these robotic enemies do not look like designed by Robotnik. It feels like the Phantom Ruby is involved here somehow, so maybe we'll get to see a far more evil, much more sinister re-designed Metal Sonic in this game? We're not entirely sure by now who the opponents will be, but at least we know that we're getting something original. While that's not always a good thing for the Sonic franchise, well, hopefully the next updates we get from the Sonic Team would prove otherwise.
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