Sonic Frontiers is a bold step forward for Sonic the Hedgehog. It has some problems that future entries will have to iron out, but the sheer enjoyment that comes from running and exploring is tough to beat, and the more dramatic story is rather appreciated. Frontiers could be an incredible first step towards a bright future for Sonic the Hedgehog.
Sonic Frontiers
Developer: Sonic Team
Price: $60
Platform: PS5 (reviewed), PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC
As a lifelong enormous Sonic fan, there have been times when it’s felt like a bit of a bumpy road. There have been some great games and some stinkers, leading to a series reputation that is hard to shake due to a decade-plus of internet memes and a dated view of Sonic as a whole. Still, Sonic Frontiers promised to try something truly different and mix up the franchise in a promising way, and while it occasionally stumbles on the way to this goal, Frontiers largely serves as a remarkably fun step forward for the blue blur.
One thing I deeply appreciate about Frontiers is that it treats the characters as actual characters. The last decade of Sonic games had let characterization and drama fall to the wayside, so the choice to have beloved Sonic comic writer Ian Flynn head the story for Frontiers was a good one.
Flynn understands the cast of Sonic inside and out. Knuckles isn’t some dumb goofball here but rather a stoic and spiritual – if a tad dense – warrior. Tails struggles with a real inferiority complex despite his talents, Amy isn’t a 2D love interest/comic relief, and Eggman can be more methodical and serious. The new character, Sage, is quite an interesting addition to the pantheon of characters; adding to Eggman’s character in a neat way.
The story of the Starfall Islands is certainly more involved than the stories of games like Colors and Lost World and more consistent than Forces, providing some excellent moments that remind you about why Sonic as a character has endured all these years. The references to previous games and characters establish a more solid canon than previously thought while reminding longtime fans that the characters they’ve come to love are still out there somewhere. There’s even a reference to the lore of Shadow the Hedgehog, which I absolutely did not anticipate.
Gameplay in Sonic Frontiers is split into a few sections. For the most part, you’ll be running around and exploring different islands while collecting items to unlock new Cyber Space stages. These are smaller and more traditional Sonic levels that you have to beat to unlock the Chaos emeralds, and they range from fun to dull. A few more visual themes (beyond Green Hill, Chemical Plant, and City Escape/Speed Highway) would have been appreciated, but seeing how quickly you can blast through each stage on repeated attempts can be a blast.
“I cannot stress enough how fun this main gameplay loop is, and I hope to get many more Sonic games that include this kind of freedom.“
Exploring is truly the best part of Sonic Frontiers, as you can zip around wide-open areas and play with the physics of the game to really propel Sonic wherever you please. I frequently got lost in the relaxing sensation of just navigating around the island towards collectibles, zooming over structures and up walls while having a grand time. I cannot stress enough how fun this main gameplay loop is, and I hope to get many more Sonic games that include this kind of freedom.
You’ll also be battling Titans, which are giant semi-mechanical bosses that feel straight out of Neon Genesis Evangelion. These battles are mostly exhilarating, as you assume the role of Super Sonic for each of them. While the Wyvern fight is frustratingly designed, the others are thrilling and do a great job of making Super Sonic both narratively relevant and truly exciting to play as.
Sonic can be powered up throughout the game by collecting specific items and creatures called koco, as well as by taking part in the simplistic but surprisingly relaxing fishing minigame. While this can make it easy to become overpowered, that comes down to the player, and I loved making Sonic stronger, sturdier, and faster throughout the game.
The minigames that you do to collect kocos during side stories or to open gates can be very out of place and annoying. They feel half-baked and entirely unnecessary to Frontiers, as they barely pad time and aren’t very fun. There’s room for minigames, to be sure (Chao Garden, please return one day), but these ones feel tacked on.
Visually, Sonic Frontiers is fine but could certainly be better. The pop-in that frequently occurs as you explore is jarring and a bit sloppy, while some of the animations are a bit stilted. Still, the parts that look good look great, even if the style itself is very different from the usual look of a Sonic game. I hope sequels that come from Frontiers find a bit more of a balance between the colorful and distinct style of previous games and the more realistic and shapely design of this title.
The music is certainly more subdued than in previous Sonic games, though the vocal tracks that play during the numerous Titan battles are extremely hype-inducing. The fishing theme is a true lofi banger, and though there aren’t necessarily as many immediately memorable tracks as in previous Sonic games, everything fits the atmosphere and environment of Frontiers.
The Final Word
Sonic Frontiers could serve as the exciting basis for future Sonic titles. It has some definite issues, but Frontiers does a lot more right than it does wrong. I’m very excited to see the future of Sonic the Hedgehog, as Frontiers could be the first step towards a new era of the blue blur.
MonsterVine Rating: 3.5 out of 5 – Fair
