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Sonic Frontiers

Sonic Frontiers really picks up the slack where this franchise started to falter. It’s still a Sonic game at its core and makes sure to stay true to the name even when branching out into other areas unfamiliar to the series.
Sonic Frontiers Game Cover
81%Game Brain Score
story, music
grinding, optimization
91% User Score Based on 17,954 reviews
Critic Score 63%Based on 12 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5Playstation 4Xbox OneXboxSteam DeckWindowsPlayStation
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Sonic Frontiers Game Cover

About

Sonic Frontiers is a single player open world platformer game with kids and science fiction themes. It was developed by Sonic Team and was released on November 6, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Sonic Frontiers is an open-zone platformer game where players race across five massive islands, battling enemies and discovering hidden secrets. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes useful items and additional gloves and shoes for Sonic, along with a digital art book and mini soundtrack. In this high-speed adventure, Sonic is on a quest to find the missing Chaos emeralds in a mysterious ancient island.

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Sonic Frontiers screenshot
Sonic Frontiers screenshot
Sonic Frontiers screenshot
Sonic Frontiers screenshot
Sonic Frontiers screenshot
Sonic Frontiers screenshot
Sonic Frontiers screenshot
Sonic Frontiers screenshot
Sonic Frontiers screenshot
Sonic Frontiers screenshot
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91%
Audience ScoreBased on 17,954 reviews
story1.6k positive mentions
grinding363 negative mentions
  • The soundtrack is diverse and widely praised, featuring standout boss fight themes that enhance the gameplay experience.
  • The character development is a significant improvement, allowing players to connect with Sonic and his friends on a deeper level.
  • The open-zone design offers fun exploration and high-speed traversal, making the gameplay genuinely enjoyable and addictive at times.
  • The game suffers from severe performance issues, including stuttering, frame drops, and poor optimization, particularly in open-world areas.
  • The story, while improved, is criticized for being simplistic and lacking coherence, especially towards the end.
  • Many players find the gameplay loop repetitive and tedious, with grinding elements detracting from the overall experience.
  • story
    5,002 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Sonic Frontiers" has received mixed reviews, with many praising it as a significant improvement over previous titles, particularly in character development and emotional depth. While some players found the narrative engaging and well-written, especially with contributions from comic writer Ian Flynn, others criticized it for being simplistic or lacking coherence, particularly towards the end. Overall, the story is seen as a step in the right direction for the franchise, blending nostalgia with new elements, though it still has room for improvement in pacing and execution.

    • “The story is intriguing and I liked the idea of an open world.”
    • “The story was actually good for once, and not just sonic beats eggman (thanks ian flynn).”
    • “The story, while not fleshed out, is an actual story reminiscing back to the adventure days.”
    • “Very generic—combat, environments, and storytelling are all boring.”
    • “Progression feels like a confusing grind just to unlock a story mission (that is not interesting at all).”
    • “Got through an island already and the story is pretty much nowhere to be seen, small pointless cinematics between countless collectibles in the same area, it feels so much like some unfinished fan project, so damn amateurish.”
  • music
    3,897 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Sonic Frontiers" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its diverse range of genres, including orchestral, electronic, and heavy metal tracks. The boss fight themes, particularly those featuring vocals from artists like Kellin Quinn, are highlighted as standout moments that elevate the gameplay experience, creating an exhilarating atmosphere during intense battles. While some ambient tracks in the open world are described as melancholic or repetitive, the overall soundtrack is considered one of the best in the series, making it a significant draw for both fans and newcomers alike.

    • “The soundtrack is top notch as always, and to me compared to other Sonic games this one was very easy to get all the achievements.”
    • “The music is absolutely stunning, the story actually matters for the first time in a while there.”
    • “The soundtrack is a banger from start to finish, ranging from different genres of music.”
    • “The boss fight tracks are just generic co-worker/millennial music.”
    • “The music is a bit of a miss for me too, which is a shame because Sonic games usually nail this.”
    • “The overworld gameplay is tedious, the portals/levels are short and poorly designed despite rehashing from older games, the music is forgettable, and the conclusion to the story in the base game feels like an afterthought.”
  • gameplay
    3,251 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Sonic Frontiers" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the new open-zone design that allows for exploration and high-speed traversal, while others criticize the repetitive nature of the gameplay loop and technical issues like pop-in and camera control. The introduction of combat mechanics and a skill tree has been praised for adding depth, but some feel that the cyberspace levels, which feature traditional boost gameplay, lack the excitement and polish of previous titles. Overall, while the game shows promise and offers a fresh take on the Sonic formula, it still requires refinement in various aspects to fully realize its potential.

    • “Despite these points, Frontiers' gameplay is genuinely fun and even addictive at times.”
    • “The gameplay is also wonderful, the level design is fantastic; at first I was worried because it's the first time Sonic Team has developed a game with an open zone (not an open world).”
    • “The gameplay loop is surprisingly fun, and the various platforming challenges are rewarding.”
    • “However, the mechanics and the whole idea of the game is not as I expected it to be.”
    • “The gameplay is shallow and poorly thought out with very little cohesion.”
    • “The open world gameplay is tedious, the portals/levels are short and poorly designed despite rehashing from older games, the music is forgettable, and the conclusion to the story in the base game feels like an afterthought.”
  • graphics
    1,265 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of Sonic Frontiers have received mixed reviews, with many praising the overall visual quality and aesthetic appeal, particularly in the open-world environments. However, criticisms focus on significant issues such as graphical pop-in, limited draw distance, and a lack of variety in level aesthetics, which detracts from the immersive experience. While some players find the graphics stunning, especially on higher settings, others feel they fall short of modern standards, particularly for a AAA title, and express disappointment over the limited graphical options available on PC.

    • “The graphics are stunning, the open world environment is refreshing and fun, the music is super diverse in genre and very well composed and the story albeit in small pieces is very gripping and captivating.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the soundtrack is pure gold, and the story it's on point and the voice cast is on the role.”
    • “The graphics are gorgeous and sonic fits well with the environment.”
    • “This game has none of that; the art style is straight out of a generic Unreal tech demo for no reason, which feels out of place for a cartoony universe like Sonic's.”
    • “The pop-in is a well-known eyesore, no matter how high you set the graphics; it's constant and distracting.”
    • “Graphically, Sonic Frontiers looks outdated, with low-resolution textures and stiff animations that fail to impress, especially in the context of modern open-world games.”
  • grinding
    409 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in the context of collecting memory tokens and completing fetch quests. While some enjoy the open-world exploration and rail grinding mechanics, others feel that the grinding detracts from the overall experience, making progression feel unnecessarily drawn out. The inclusion of a fishing mini-game is seen as a welcome alternative for those looking to bypass some of the more monotonous grinding tasks.

    • “Exploring isn't as tedious as some other reviews I see saying, or at least it isn't to me.”
    • “Open world (or 'open zone' for this game) that isn't tedious when collecting items, fun fights, bosses, and a good story.”
    • “The map and grind rails are much appreciated to allow for navigation of the island, which isn't that tedious.”
    • “This game kinda smells to be completely honest, I'm a big Sonic fan and this game is just grinding, fishing, and fetch quests - it's only good if you're a Sonic fan really.”
    • “The grinding you need to do to finish the story is annoying as hell and towards the end, the enemies started to get more annoying than fun.”
    • “The game feels grindy, slow, the bosses aren't always interesting and reuse assets, the big (interesting) boss fights are one and done, the story is there but it isn't exactly a masterpiece, just a little different than what was done before.”
  • optimization
    310 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received significant criticism, with many players reporting severe performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and poor draw distances, particularly in open-world areas. While some users experienced smooth gameplay on high-end systems, the overall consensus indicates that the game is poorly optimized, often requiring adjustments or mods to achieve acceptable performance levels. Additionally, the presence of Denuvo DRM has been cited as a contributing factor to these performance problems, further detracting from the gaming experience.

    • “The game runs well at 60 fps with barely any performance drops, water reflections are gorgeous and there are several stunning vistas that are breathtaking to look at.”
    • “Despite some performance issues on the deck, Frontiers is a decent open-world game and a pretty solid Sonic game.”
    • “The game is better on PC since you can add mods, and it is surprisingly optimized pretty well.”
    • “Poorly optimized stuttering mess.”
    • “The stuttering and constant freezing make it torture to play.”
    • “The performance is horrendous, even in places like open desert where it makes zero sense, and the draw distance mixed with the speed means you never see things in time to use them, like ramps and rails.”
  • stability
    290 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has received mixed feedback from users, with many reporting frequent glitches, camera issues, and occasional freezes that can disrupt gameplay. While some players found the bugs to be amusing or manageable, others described the experience as frustrating and unpolished, particularly during critical moments like boss fights. Overall, the game is seen as fun despite its instability, with many hoping for patches to address the technical shortcomings.

    • “Steam Deck: 10/10, no issues, runs great.”
    • “Peak Sonic game, runs great on Steam Deck as well.”
    • “Best Sonic game in decades and surprisingly bug-free.”
    • “This game is a buggy mess that barely works for me; every time I enter a titan fight, the camera tweaks out like crazy, making it unplayable.”
    • “The game is what you'd expect; it's a buggy mess where collision detection will call in sick more times than it will work.”
    • “The ambitious open world concept, while promising, crumbled under the weight of technical shortcomings from pervasive glitches to frustrating frame rate drops.”
  • emotional
    263 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game has resonated deeply with players, many of whom report experiencing genuine feelings of joy, sadness, and nostalgia throughout their journey. The narrative is praised for its heartfelt moments, character development, and impactful music, with several players noting that it made them cry—something they hadn't experienced in a Sonic game for years. While some critiques mention disjointed emotional beats or a lack of depth in certain areas, the overall sentiment is that the game successfully evokes a strong emotional connection, making it a standout entry in the franchise.

    • “The story is beautiful and made me cry a little at the end, the enemy design is incredibly cool and gameplay is smooth!”
    • “The story was fantastic and it made me cry at the end.”
    • “The writing has emotional depth, character growth, a great mystery, isn't hand-holdy and is excellently performed by the voice cast, who have more serious performances to match the tone.”
    • “Vast open world of nothing, repetitive gameplay and boring story.”
    • “Other than that, you just run around collecting items while you're constantly distracted by the horrible pop-in and the weird floating rails and springs, along with amateur-looking platforms copy-pasted in the form of a platforming challenge, until you can progress in a boring story that's mostly told through two characters standing motionless talking to each other, occasionally broken up by a reference to another Sonic game like some sort of Family Guy cutaway gag.”
  • humor
    167 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as a blend of clever writing and situational comedy, often highlighting character interactions and absurd moments, such as Sonic's antics and the quirky physics. Players appreciate the balance between humor and drama, with many finding the dialogue and character dynamics genuinely funny, while some bugs and gameplay quirks add to the comedic experience. Overall, the humor is seen as a refreshing departure from previous entries, steering clear of overly childish jokes and instead embracing a more mature, yet still lighthearted tone.

    • “The writing balances humor and drama, staying true to the Sonic series' tone.”
    • “The whole game is very fun to play, fishing was my favorite as it's pure random and seeing Sonic fish up a tire is just funny to see.”
    • “Sonic's snarky remarks to Sage are funny, and in the end all he wants is to collaborate with and help her, which he succeeds in.”
    • “Besides that, the story seems like a huge improvement over the previous games, where all they did were unfunny kid jokes.”
    • “[story] - they got the legendary Ian Flynn to help write the story, and it shows; character interactions no longer feel painfully lifeless or utterly unfunny.”
  • replayability
    138 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The replayability of "Sonic Frontiers" is a mixed bag, with some players finding enjoyment in the short, challenge-based cyberspace levels and the introduction of multiple playable characters, while others criticize the lack of engaging content and replayable boss fights. Many reviews highlight that while the game offers some replay value through collectibles and time trials, the overall experience can feel repetitive and lacks the depth seen in previous titles. Overall, opinions range from low to moderate replayability, with some players expressing hope for future updates to enhance this aspect.

    • “The cyberspace levels were great (especially the ones that didn't reuse level design), Sonic is super fun to control, and the good parts of this game are highly replayable.”
    • “Great step forward in the Sonic franchise, fun open world and while the stages are kind of short being around a minute long, they are still enjoyable to play through and have lots of replay value.”
    • “I would highly recommend this game to everyone even if you are not a huge Sonic fan. I think you'll enjoy it, and Sonic fans will appreciate this game especially with the throwbacks to previous Sonic games; it has a lot of replayability as well.”
    • “Finally, the game's replayability has been seriously impacted by this decision.”
    • “The game doesn't really seem to have any lasting replayability either because for most of the cyberspace levels I was able to get all of the challenges done after 2 attempts.”
    • “The levels in Frontiers are short, but surprisingly replayable, offering rewards for completing them within a certain time limit, collecting a certain number of rings, and finding all the hidden collectibles.”
  • character development
    127 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The character development in this game has been widely praised, marking a significant improvement over previous titles in the franchise. Reviewers noted that iconic characters like Sonic, Tails, Eggman, and the new character Sage experience meaningful growth, with emotional arcs that resonate with players and reflect on their pasts. This depth of character development, combined with a more mature narrative tone, has revitalized the series and allowed for genuine connections between characters, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “There is so much emotional character development in this game that I have not seen in other iterations of the franchise.”
    • “The character development is handled with care, allowing players to connect with Sonic and his friends on a level that transcends the typical platformer experience.”
    • “The characters in this game undergo some very real character development and it shows especially towards the end.”
    • “Despite some commendable features, like an open world, improved character development compared to recent Sonic titles, and engaging combat, the game is plagued by numerous issues that make its $60 price tag hard to justify.”
    • “The characters didn't feel like badly printed cardboard cutouts of what is now just a shell of their former selves; they felt real once again, finally reestablishing the character development that these characters went through in previous entries, even acknowledging some of the inconsistencies in this series.”
    • “Past that, Sage's story arc is also very poorly executed; I never felt any real sort of attachment with her, and her character development happens in the span of two cutscenes rather than throughout the actual game.”
  • atmosphere
    124 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of somber, melancholic tones and vibrant, energetic soundtracks that enhance the immersive experience. Players appreciate the stunning visuals and detailed environments, which are complemented by a diverse range of music that shifts from atmospheric melodies during exploration to high-energy tracks in combat. While some critiques mention a sense of emptiness in the open world, the overall consensus highlights the game's ability to create a captivating and emotionally resonant atmosphere, making it a standout in the Sonic franchise.

    • “It's very good, I absolutely adore the somber atmosphere, and being able to do whatever you want wherever you want.”
    • “The atmosphere of this game is unexpectedly good; this is the Death Stranding of the Sonic universe.”
    • “The atmosphere is amazing, for starters.”
    • “The tone and atmosphere is confused; for the most part, it's a poor man's Breath of the Wild that I honestly can't muster the effort to type about.”
    • “Atmosphere-wise, the open-world islands are one of the most boring and uninteresting levels you'll ever see.”
    • “The atmosphere is melancholy for the most part, and while there are some genuinely lighthearted or awesome moments, Frontiers is not afraid to show on-screen deaths, and have Sonic slowly succumb to some kind of corruption while he pretends that he's not in total agony.”
  • monetization
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some praising the free DLC that enhances the experience and avoids the pitfalls of typical cash grabs seen in the industry. However, there are criticisms regarding the game's reliance on nostalgia and the perception that it falls short of delivering a fully engaging experience, leading some to view it as another formulaic title in a franchise plagued by mediocre offerings. Overall, while the free content is appreciated, concerns about the game's depth and exploration remain.

    • “Sonic Frontiers, while it has its share of problems, is otherwise a breath of fresh air for this franchise that's been riddled with mediocre games, shoddy remasters, and shameless cash grabs.”
    • “I'll never understand how it lost the player's voice award to a game from two years ago with microtransactions, or how Jim Sterling could name it the worst game of 2022.”
    • “Sonic games shouldn't be formulaic cash grabs.”
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63%Critics’ scoreBased on 12 critic reviews
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14h Median play time
19h Average play time
6-23h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 93 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Sonic Frontiers is a open world platformer game with kids and science fiction themes.

Sonic Frontiers is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 19 hours playing Sonic Frontiers.

Sonic Frontiers was released on November 6, 2022.

Sonic Frontiers was developed by Sonic Team.

Sonic Frontiers has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Sonic Frontiers is a single player game.

Similar games include SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS, Spark the Electric Jester 3, Sonic Forces, Sonic Generations, Sonic Lost World and others.