Epic Chronicles from the Gaming Vault: Sonic Frontiers Unleashed!

When Sonic the Hedgehog 3 arrived in cinemas, Sony included Sonic Frontiers in the PlayStation Plus Extra tier. Given that the films sparked a Sonic craving within me, I thought it was an ideal moment to reconnect with the blue icon.

In December 2024, the Sonic the Hedgehog film franchise launched its third film. My partner and I intended to catch it in theaters not long after its premiere. However, I realized I had yet to see the second film. To remedy this, we dedicated a Sunday afternoon to streaming the first two movies. This allowed me to fully catch up and enter the latest release with a renewed grasp of the ongoing narrative.

Truthfully, my personal background with Sonic is rather limited. I didn’t own a Sega Genesis as a child, so my earliest encounters with the character came through friends and various media. Since those experiences were fleeting, I eventually lost track of what the character was involved in and the nature of the games. I was aware there were both 2D and 3D Sonic games, yet I never quite delved deeper than that.

Read more: Tales From The Backlog Vol.2 – Sonic Frontiers

Gotta…Go…Fast! – Sonic Frontiers

Sonic Frontiers was initially launched on November 7, 2022, for PlayStation and Xbox consoles, as well as the Nintendo Switch. I wasn’t certain if this was the ideal game to commence my Sonic adventure, yet the minimal entry requirements—thanks to its presence on PlayStation Plus Extra—ultimately persuaded me to make Frontiers my first Sonic experience in years.

True to traditional Sonic style, Doctor Eggman is causing trouble. As Sonic and his companions delve into the enigmatic technology being developed, they are ultimately split apart when a wormhole pulls them into cyberspace. Fortunately, Sonic escapes, and the journey begins as he endeavors to reunite his friends and confront the dangers.

What’s the Experience of Playing Sonic Frontiers?

The game comprises five primary worlds, which share similarities in gameplay, yet the overall architecture remains captivating and stimulating. For instance, upon entering a world for the first time, players are placed in an open-world 3D space. During your exploration, you’ll traverse rails to collect coins, solve puzzles, and procure other items. Some of these can enhance Sonic’s overall speed. As you wander, you’ll face bosses within the open world and confront them to obtain gear pieces. These are essential for reaching the more classic levels, like 1-1 and further. Additionally, these can be acquired as you explore and unveil more of the map.

The levels within the open world can differ significantly in gameplay. Some feature a 3D layout, presenting a camera angle akin to that of the open world, while others adopt a more retro style with the camera fixed on a side-scrolling view. In these levels, you’ll have various tasks to fulfill, such as locating all the red rings, finishing with a specific number of rings, and completing the level within a designated time.

Achieving all objectives will reward you with an S rank, yielding the highest number of keys for that level, which are vital for securing the Chaos Emeralds. Once all emeralds in that world are gathered, Sonic transforms into Super Sonic, and the player confronts the world boss.

Let’s Consult An Expert

In summary, I thoroughly savored my experience with Sonic Frontiers. Towards the conclusion, however, the gameplay aspects began to lose their allure. Thankfully, the game concluded before that sentiment could fully set in.

My primary inquiry is: What should a Sonic enthusiast like myself undertake next? What is the optimal path to continue this adventure?

To provide insight into this question, I’ll be calling upon Robert Kellet, also known as Lord Sonic, to serve as my expert and guiding light in suggesting the games or media that would be most suitable for someone like me to engage with next.

A Few Thoughts from RK128 aka Lord Sonic

As the dedicated Sonic expert at Lords of Gaming, I am privileged to provide my Scribe colleague and you the readers with recommendations about what else the Blue Blur has to offer.

Game Suggestions

I would readily endorse the critically lauded Sonic X Shadow Generations to newcomers to the franchise. As I previously mentioned in my review for the collection, it’s the definitive greatest hits compilation for the series. Featuring multiple levels from both Sonic Generations and Shadow Generations, it presents a rapid introduction to the universe.

A similarly straightforward suggestion is the remarkable Sonic Mania. Developed by a skilled group from the Classic Sonic community, this stunning pixel-art journey pays tribute to the aesthetics and gameplay of the classic titles.

Additional titles to explore for contemporary consoles encompass Sonic Colors Ultimate, Sonic Origins Plus, and Team Sonic Racing. If you’re in possession of an Xbox Series X/S, I would also recommend Sonic Unleashed. Launched in 2008 and benefiting significantly from the Xbox Backward Compatibility Program, it remains a beloved option I can suggest.

Multimedia Suggestions – 90’s Animation

Long before the Paramount Sonic movies, the franchise boasted a rich cinematic legacy. The 90’s provided enthusiasts with Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog (Satam), and Sonic Underground.

The trio of shows varies significantly in style and quality. Out of these, I would most highly endorse Sonic the Hedgehog (Satam). It delves deeper into the theme of nature versus technology alluded to in the classic games while broadening the Sonic character roster. This expanded ensemble became the foundation of the Archie Sonic series, which has retained a devoted fanbase to this day.

Japan also joined the excitement, producing the Sonic the Hedgehog OVA. With Sonic Team collaborating directly with Toei Animation, this approximately forty-minute adventure remains timeless. Team Sonic battles Metal Sonic, featuring an artistic style straight out of Sonic CD. I personally appreciate this, especially the latter half.

Multimedia Suggestions – Sonic X & Sonic Boom