From what we’ve seen of footage for Sonic Frontiers, it looks like there’s a very different adventure in store for Sonic. In the game, you get to explore Starfalls Island, as you search for the Chaos Emeralds. Though some things look great, others look questionable. Here are some things that might work and some things that might not.
Gotta go fast…kind of
In Frontiers, you can explore completely new terrain that looks like Mario Odyssey or even Breath of the Wild: waterfalls, beautiful green mountains, and clear waters. There may be more of a free-roaming, 3D element to the game. Certain Sonic games, such as 3D Blast, get it right, as you can still loop de loop and have a fast-paced bonus level. However, a game like Sonic Boom fails miserably because the fast-paced levels are so few and far between. An open world on the Sonic platform needs a good balance of engaging game play and a fun atmosphere to fulfill the need for speed. Let’s hope that’s what we get.
The Uneven Tone
A main complaint in the Sonic fandom is that the games struggle with creating a consistent tone within the storylines. Some Sonic games become far too serious with very dark elements. For example, Sonic Forces implies that Sonic has been tortured for six months as Eggman has taken over the world. The stakes are high, but the game play is nowhere near memorable enough to match it. Frontiers already seems dramatic, as if Sonic has just entered the world of Hyrule. Serene, peaceful game play that has never been a part of Sonic’s M.O., honestly. Let’s hope the story doesn’t go too over the top.
The Puzzles
You’re running around, soaring through the air, performing some homing attacks on enemies, and then there’s a gate blocking your path. The player must rearrange some statues in specific positions to open the gate. It doesn’t look exciting and it interrupts Sonic’s otherwise smooth movements. The developers may have been trying to add some dimension to the game play that may work in the final product.
I don’t know about you, but I’ll definitely be giving this game a chance. As a devoted fan of the Sonic franchise, there is hardly any game I won’t try! Sonic Frontiers is available on all gaming platforms on November 8th, 2022
Guest Author: Gabrielle Muniz
