Sonic the Hedgehog has experienced a resurgence in popularity thanks to Paramount’s successful films. However, video game fans have been waiting for a title that truly captures the essence of the iconic character. Sonic Team’s Sonic Frontiers aims to address this, delivering the most ambitious Sonic game since Sonic Adventure in 1998. While not without its imperfections, Sonic Frontiers largely succeeds in its ambitious goals.
The game opens with Sonic, Tails, and Amy investigating energy readings linked to the Chaos Emeralds on the mysterious Starfall Islands. Disaster strikes as Sonic’s companions vanish, trapped within Cyber Space. Now, Sonic must navigate the uncharted islands, populated by colossal Titans, to rescue his friends and harness the power of the Chaos Emeralds to defeat these formidable foes.
Sonic Frontiers introduces “Open Zones,” vast explorable worlds that represent a significant departure for the series. Each of the Starfall Islands constitutes an expansive open world teeming with collectibles crucial for progression. Memory Tokens help restore Sonic’s friends’ memories, Portal Gears grant access to Cyber Space levels, and Vault Keys unlock barriers protecting the Chaos Emeralds. Players can also solve puzzles to reveal sections of the map and acquire items that boost Sonic’s strength and defense. While the game doesn’t explicitly emphasize it, upgrading these stats is vital for surviving the challenging Titan battles.
sonic-frontiers.jpgA defining characteristic of Sonic games, from the Sega Genesis era to the present, is the balance between speed and precision. Sonic Frontiers retains this core element while also allowing players unprecedented freedom of movement. The Open Zones allow Sonic to truly unleash his speed, making him feel faster than ever before. This exhilarating sense of speed is a highlight of the game. However, the lack of fast-travel options can become frustrating, particularly when backtracking to specific locations.
While the Open Zones dominate the gameplay, the Cyber Space stages offer a more traditional Sonic experience. These levels blend 2D and 3D gameplay, featuring familiar environments and enemies from previous titles. Completing these stages earns players Vault Keys, essential for obtaining the Chaos Emeralds. Bonus objectives, such as completing stages within a time limit, collecting all Red Star Rings, and finishing with a specific number of rings, offer additional challenges and rewards. While the stages themselves are relatively short, completing all objectives will test even the most dedicated Sonic fans. The clever level design provides ample motivation to replay these stages and strive for mastery.
sonic-frontiers-cyber-space-1.jpgThis review is based on the Nintendo Switch version. Pre-release, producer Takashi Iizuka claimed the Hedgehog Engine would minimize compromises on the Switch. Impressively, the game runs smoothly, although textures appear somewhat blurry. The most noticeable technical issue is the prevalent pop-in, particularly noticeable as Sonic speeds through the Open Zones. While this rarely impacts gameplay directly, it’s a visually distracting element. Online reports suggest this issue affects other versions of the game as well.
One drawback of Sonic Frontiers is its repetitive gameplay loop. The cycle of exploring islands, restoring memories, collecting Chaos Emeralds, and battling Titans can become tedious. Furthermore, the sheer volume of collectibles can be overwhelming. Recalling the specific items needed for various tasks, such as fishing with Big the Cat or increasing Sonic’s defense, can be confusing, reminiscent of collectathon platformers like Banjo-Kazooie or Donkey Kong 64.
In contrast to previous entries, Sonic Frontiers meaningfully integrates Sonic’s established history into the narrative. Writer Ian Flynn incorporates flashbacks to classic games like Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic Adventure, along with dialogue referencing past locations and characters. The connection to external media, like the Tails Tube episode showing Sonic and Tails departing for the Starfall Islands and the animated prologue featuring Knuckles, further enriches the narrative. While not essential for understanding the story, these elements deepen the experience for long-time fans.
The strong voice acting further elevates the characterizations. Veteran voice actors like Roger Craig Smith, Mike Pollock, and Colleen O’Shaughnessey deliver compelling performances. The overall audio design is exceptional, with a diverse and fitting soundtrack. The music seamlessly transitions from the tranquil piano melodies of Kronos Island to the emo-infused tracks accompanying Super Sonic’s Titan battles. The soundtrack’s absence from The Game Awards nominations is a glaring oversight.
sonic-frontiers-super-sonic-new-cropped-hed.jpgDespite its flaws, Sonic Frontiers‘ strengths outweigh its weaknesses. The enjoyable Open Zone exploration, well-designed Cyber Space levels, and excellent audio create a compelling experience. Sonic Team’s dedication to crafting a new direction for the series is evident, and the results are largely impressive. While the repetitive gameplay loop is a notable concern, the game’s positive aspects will likely overshadow this for most Sonic fans. Sonic Frontiers delivers the revitalization the franchise desperately needed, offering a bright glimpse into the future of Sonic the Hedgehog.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Sonic Frontiers is available now on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. This review was conducted on a Nintendo Switch OLED console provided by the publisher.
