An interview reveals that Sonic Frontiers will introduce new fast-paced styles of combat to the game, along with new ways to explore the world.
An interview has revealed that Sonic Frontiers will introduce new high-energy combat styles. Aside from the few excerpts of gameplay seen in the reveal trailer, not much is known about Sonic Frontiers in action. What is known, however, is that it will be an open-zone experience, which is something the Sonic series hasn’t seen before.
The reveal trailer for Sonic Frontiers showed new, wide environments that have brought up comparisons to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This includes grassy fields, ancient ruins, and a huge tower in the distance. The exact nature of this open-zone style of Sonic gameplay is still a mystery, but glimpses of the environments show that this is a different type of Sonic game, focusing more on exploration than previous entries in the longstanding franchise.
In an interview with GamesRadar, creative officer Takashi Iizuka went into more detail on how Sonic Team will bring Sonic to the next level in Sonic Frontiers. Iizuka talked of how the team is paying close attention to little details to ensure Sonic still sports his high-speed gameplay, noting the game will “introduce new combat styles to bring Sonic’s signature dexterity onto the battlefield.” Iizuka also revealed the game will feature “new exploration options [that] obviously play into his iconic speedy nature.” Specific details on how this new high-speed combat style will play in Sonic Frontiers is still unknown.
Along with a new open-zone style of gameplay, Sonic Frontiers will also be written by Ian Flynn, who previously wrote for the Archie Sonic comics. The Archie Comics have a different style of writing than the Sonic games, and as such, gives hope that Sonic Frontiers will have a deeper narrative and story compared to previous Sonic games. The writing of recent Sonic games is one aspect that is criticized by fans, with many eagerly awaiting a change.
With the new types of exploration, combat, and storytelling, it’s hoped Sonic Frontiers will create a new type of Sonic experience. With that said, it remains to be seen just how this new style of gameplay will be executed. Combat has rarely been a focus of traditional Sonic games outside of bopping Badniks while speeding through courses. Games like Sonic Unleashed do take unique approaches to how combat works, though this can lead to divisive receptions. The quality of modern Sonic games such as Sonic Forces have often been divisive in the eyes of many fans, and this has made some wary as to how Sonic Frontiers will ultimately turn out. Only time will tell if Sonic Frontiers will be the breath of fresh air that the series arguably needs to revitalize itself.
Sonic Frontiers will release on PlayStation, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch in late 2022.
Source: GamesRadar
About The Author
