Sonic Frontiers (2022): The Review

Score: 8.5 out of 10

Overview: "Sonic Frontiers marks a bold new direction for Sega's iconic blue blur, blending traditional high-speed platforming with an open-zone structure. This ambitious entry reimagines what a Sonic game can be, offering expansive landscapes to explore, dynamic combat, and a more emotional story than the series typically delivers. While some mechanics feel underdeveloped and the overall polish could be better, Sonic Frontiers revitalizes the franchise with its sense of freedom and creativity.

The Positives

• The vast, interconnected zones are a refreshing departure from Sonic’s linear design. Each area is filled with platforming challenges, secrets, and collectibles that reward players for exploring at their own pace;
• Sonic’s controls feel intuitive and responsive in the open zones, allowing players to dash, grind, and jump seamlessly across varied terrain. The combination of speed and exploration is exhilarating;
• The addition of combat mechanics, including parries, combos, and special abilities, adds depth to encounters. Facing off against giant bosses is a particular highlight, blending scale and spectacle with Sonic’s signature style;
• Scattered throughout the open zones are Cyber Space levels and mini-platforming challenges that test your reflexes and timing, delivering bursts of classic Sonic gameplay;
• Each zone features distinct biomes with detailed environments that evoke a sense of mystery and wonder. The music, especially the ethereal and ambient tracks in the open zones, adds to the game’s emotional resonance;
• The narrative strikes a more serious tone, exploring Sonic’s relationships and the mystery of the islands. It’s a refreshing change that adds emotional weight while still retaining the series’ charm;
• Sonic’s skill tree and upgradeable stats allow players to tailor their playstyle, providing a satisfying sense of progression throughout the adventure.

The Negatives

• While exploration is fun, some tasks, like collecting memory tokens and completing mini-games, can feel overly repetitive and begin to drag in later zones;
• Though the environments are expansive and beautiful in concept, textures and animations occasionally feel dated or lack the polish expected from a modern release;
• While some Cyber Space levels capture the thrill of classic Sonic stages, others are hampered by awkward controls and inconsistent design quality;
• The camera can struggle during high-speed sections or certain boss fights, leading to moments of frustration in otherwise thrilling gameplay;
• While there are plenty of collectibles and side activities, many of them lack variety or meaningful rewards, making them feel like filler at times;
• While the story is more ambitious, some of the dialogue feels clunky or overly expository, and not all of the voice performances hit the emotional mark.

The Experience

Sonic Frontiers is an exciting reinvention of the franchise, blending classic elements with modern, open-world design. It offers moments of genuine awe as you race through massive landscapes, take down towering bosses, and uncover the mysteries of the islands. The game’s sense of freedom and high-speed exploration make it a standout entry, even if it doesn’t quite nail every aspect of its ambitious design.
For fans of Sonic and newcomers alike, Sonic Frontiers delivers a fresh and thrilling experience that sets a strong foundation for the series’ future. It’s an exciting new chapter for the blue hedgehog, and one that’s well worth playing for those who crave speed and adventure.