It is a large 12 months for Sonic the Hedgehog. The blue blur and Sega mascot already acquired a big-budget film sequel and is making ready for a compilation recreation, however the centerpiece of the 12 months seems to be Sonic Frontiers–an formidable new 3D Sonic venture boasting a few of the greatest expertise of previous Sonic video games. Particulars are scant on the brand new Sonic recreation to date, however we anticipate to see extra because it prepares to hurry in the direction of its late 2022 launch. Here is every part we all know, and every part we hope to see, from Sonic Frontiers.
A brand new “open-zone” Sonic
The brand new Sonic recreation seemed to be teasing Breath of the Wild vibes with its first picture, displaying Sonic standing on a cliffside overlooking a large expanse of land. That was a sign of this recreation’s route, which Sega is looking an “open-zone-inspired” strategy.
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Now Taking part in: Sonic Frontiers Trailer Reveal | Sport Awards 2021
As an alternative of a collection of levels for Sonic to hurry his approach via, Sonic Frontiers takes place on Starfall Islands. The brand new space is an enormous open-world space consisting of forests, waterfalls, and deserts. An early teaser confirmed off a few of the environments, together with an enormous boss encounter. Sega has not detailed how conventional Sonic components like rings, bonus levels, and boss battles will work inside this new context.
Aiming excessive
Sega is clearly intending this to be a status Sonic recreation. The open-world construction represents a significant sea change to Sonic video games. And it desires its evaluate scores to match that ambition. In a current Q&A with buyers, Sega CEO Haruki Satomi and CFO Koichi Fukazama have been requested concerning the firm’s objectives for the sport’s high quality. The executives mentioned the staff is working laborious on bettering the standard of the sport, to the purpose that it will get excessive evaluate scores and turns into a “must-buy” launch.
After all, plenty of video games purpose for top scores–no developer or writer deliberately places out a dud. However it’s uncommon for Sega executives to set this type of formidable goal, and particularly to take action publicly.
Builders builders builders
To the extent that Sega desires Sonic Frontiers to be an enormous success, it is placing a few of its most achieved Sonic builders on the venture. Sonic Staff Japan is growing the venture, led by Morio Kishimoto. Kishimoto was the director for Sonic Misplaced World, Sonic Forces, and Sonic Colours–the latter of which was extremely regarded sufficient within the fan neighborhood to warrant a current re-release on fashionable platforms.
Launch date
Sega has not outlined a selected launch date for Sonic Frontiers. To date, we solely have a launch window of late 2022.
Downloadable content material
Sega has not introduced any downloadable content material or different post-launch assist plans for Sonic Frontiers.
What we wish
Gotta go quick
Velocity is a significant a part of Sonic’s id, however we wish to see how that concept will get expressed on this new gameplay context. Whereas the 2D video games are likely to ping-pong Sonic round a stage so quick you’ll be able to solely barely sustain with obstacles, the 3D video games have utilized extra of a behind-the-back racing recreation model with some thrives to maintain it trendy. Placing the character in an open world presents new alternatives and challenges for his signature pace. The sport ought to allow you to really feel the liberty of zooming from one spot to the following with blistering pace, whereas additionally discovering methods to keep away from shedding your momentum on random obstacles.
Simply Sonic, please
Sonic’s prolonged forged of animal companions has taken a whole lot of blame for the collection’ uneven high quality. And whereas that criticism is not all the time fair–hey, depart Massive the Cat alone, he did not harm anybody–it is nonetheless true that such a sprawling forged can depart the sport feeling unfocused and distract from what it’s that is purported to make Sonic completely different: his pace. This open world will probably be a tough idea to nail down with only one playable character, so let’s not dilute it with anybody else. Main characters like Tails and Knuckles can present up, however the recreation ought to put the main focus squarely on Sonic.
Go Tremendous Sonic
Open-world video games may be nice, however they’ll additionally undergo from a sure same-iness of tempo and design that leaves the conclusion feeling empty. If Sonic goes to enter such a realm, do one thing large for the ultimate act that makes it memorable and distinctive. Have a crashed Loss of life Egg considerably change the panorama, for instance, or provide you with a very new traversal instrument by unlocking Tremendous Sonic. That may assist the sport really feel prefer it’s constructing to a climax as an alternative of remaining flat.
Weapon degradation
We’re kidding, clearly.
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