Introduction
Basic information
- Developer Name: SEGA
- Full Name: Sonic Frontiers
- Release Date: November 8, 2022
- Released on: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Cross Play: No
Initial thoughts
I love Sonic games, so when Sonic Frontiers was announced, I was intrigued. The idea of an open-world (or open-zone) Sonic game sounded promising, and I was especially interested in how the story would unfold. The early trailers hinted at a darker, more serious narrative, and I wanted to see how well it played out. Unfortunately, while there were some fantastic moments, the game ultimately left me with mixed feelings, mainly due to its rushed ending, underwhelming level structure, and some design choices that didn’t quite work.
Story and setting
Plot overview
The story starts strong. Sonic, Tails, and Amy find themselves trapped in a mysterious new world filled with ancient ruins, hostile robotic enemies, and a growing corruption that starts affecting Sonic. The stakes are high, and for a good portion of the game, it feels like we’re building towards something epic. Sonic’s corruption gradually worsens, and for the first time in a long while, there’s genuine tension in the plot. Super Sonic, usually the answer to everything, doesn’t immediately fix the problem, which was a refreshing change.
And then… the ending happens.
The final resolution feels rushed and anticlimactic. After all the buildup, Sonic’s corruption is just… reversed by memories? No Hyper Sonic, no grand moment of overcoming the corruption through power and determination—just an abstract solution that feels unsatisfying. There was so much potential here, but it felt like the story wrapped up far too quickly.
World building and immersion
The setting is visually interesting, but the open-world concept doesn’t feel like a natural fit for Sonic. The islands feel too empty at times, and while there’s lore about the Ancients and the Chaos Emeralds’ origins, it’s not explored deeply enough. The mystery starts off engaging but doesn’t feel fully realized by the end.
Character development
Sonic has some good interactions with his friends, but they don’t get much development. Sage, the game’s new AI character, is intriguing, but her arc is resolved far too quickly.
Emotional impact
There are some emotional moments, especially with Sonic’s corruption, but the rushed ending undermines a lot of the buildup. It could have been one of the strongest Sonic stories in years, but it falls just short of that mark.
Rating for story and setting
I have visited multiple aspects of the story and after some thought and objective thinking, I rated the story and setting with a 6.5
Gameplay and mechanics
Core gameplay mechanics
Frontiers attempts to blend open-world exploration with traditional Sonic platforming. While there are some fun mechanics—like boosting across landscapes, rail-grinding, and combat—it often feels like the game is struggling to find its identity.
Difficulty and balance
The difficulty varies wildly. Some parts feel too easy, while others spike unexpectedly. The bosses, while visually impressive, can sometimes be more frustrating than fun due to awkward camera angles and quick-time event spam.
Pacing of the game
The pacing is all over the place. The first few hours feel engaging, but once you realize how repetitive the structure is, it starts to drag. The cyberspace levels (which are meant to be traditional Sonic stages) feel oddly disconnected from the open-world gameplay.
Innovation and uniqueness
The attempt at open-world Sonic is bold, but it doesn’t fully work. The idea is innovative, but in execution, it feels like Sonic would have been better off sticking to traditional stages with a smaller hub world rather than vast, empty islands.
Controls and user interface
Controls feel decent, but movement can sometimes be slippery. The UI is functional, though navigating menus can feel a bit clunky.
Microtransactions
None, which is always a plus.
Rating
After combing through many of the mechanics, the pacing and other factors of this game, I rated the gameplay and mechanics with a 6.
Graphics and art style
Quality of graphics and art direction
The art direction is a bit strange for a Sonic game. The environments are more realistic, which clashes with Sonic’s cartoonish design. While some areas look great, others feel bland or unfinished.
Technical performances
The game runs fairly well, but pop-in is a big issue. Objects and platforms frequently appear out of nowhere, which breaks immersion.
Environment and design uniqueness
The islands have variety, but they don’t feel as alive or interesting as they should. The enemy designs, particularly the robots, look fantastic, but the world itself doesn’t always match that level of creativity.
Rating
It took me some time to give the graphics and art style an objective rating. There are many things to consider, but ultimately, I rated this section with a 6.5
Sound and music
Music score and how it contributed to the game
This is where Sonic games rarely fail, and Frontiers is no exception. The soundtrack is fantastic, blending atmospheric themes with high-energy battle tracks. The boss fight music, in particular, is incredible.
Sound effects quality
Everything sounds sharp and satisfying, from Sonic’s boost to the various enemy attacks.
Voice Acting
The voice acting is solid, though some of the dialogue feels a bit stiff. The performances suit the characters well.
Rating
After a lot of consideration, I rated the sound and music section with a 8.5
Replayability
Game Length and content volume
The game is decently long, but the repetitive nature of its world design makes it feel stretched out at times.
Extra Content
There’s some extra content in the form of challenges and collectibles, but nothing that feels truly exciting to revisit.
Replay value
Once you finish the main story, there’s little reason to go back unless you’re a completionist.
Rating
After thoughtful consideration, I decided to rate the replayability and game length of Sonic Frontiers with a 5.5
Suggestions and comparisons
Suggestions and feedback
- Give us a proper, fully developed ending.
- If Sonic is going to be corrupted, let us actually see that struggle—don’t just erase it with memories.
- Hyper Sonic should have been in the game.
- Refine the open-world design so it feels more natural and engaging.
- Better structure for cyberspace levels—make them feel meaningful rather than side distractions.
Comparisons
- Sonic Adventure 2 – Still one of the best Sonic stories with real stakes.
- Sonic Generations – Traditional levels done right.
- Breath of the Wild – The open-world inspiration is clear, but Sonic Frontiers doesn’t fully commit to making it work.
Personal experiences and anecdotes
One of the few things I really enjoyed was how the game explored the Chaos Emeralds’ origins. That was genuinely interesting, and I wanted to learn more about the Ancients and their connection to the emeralds. However, it felt like the game just scratched the surface and didn’t fully commit to expanding on it.
The story had potential, but the rushed conclusion killed a lot of the tension. Seeing Sonic struggle with corruption was a fantastic concept, but it went nowhere. I kept waiting for a Hyper Sonic transformation—something that would truly feel like an ultimate resolution—but instead, we just got… memories fixed it.”
At this point, I’d rather Sega just give us Sonic Adventure 3 with Chao Gardens instead of experimenting with these half-realized open-world mechanics.
Rating
Taking in all the personal experiences with Sonic Frontiers, I give it a personal rating of 7.
Last words
Pros
- Great soundtrack
- Some interesting lore about the Chaos Emeralds
- Sonic’s corruption arc starts off strong
- The robots and bosses look cool
- The open-world concept is ambitious
- Combat can be fun at times
- No microtransactions
Cons
- The ending is extremely rushed
- No Hyper Sonic, despite the perfect setup for it
- The open-world feels empty
- Cyberspace levels feel disconnected
- Platforming often feels awkward
- Major pop-in issues
Sonic Frontiers had the potential to be a fantastic evolution for the franchise, but it falls short in several key areas. While the soundtrack and some aspects of the story shine, the open-world design, rushed ending, and lack of polish hold it back. It’s not a bad game, but it’s not the Sonic game I was hoping for.
FINAL RATING
6.5
Please let me know what you think of Sonic Frontiers in the comments!
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