- Publisher: Sega
- Release Date: Nov 8, 2022
- Also On: PC, PlayStation 4, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
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- Critic score
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Nov 22, 2022Sonic Frontiers is the best 3D Sonic of the last decade, and it’s easily one of the best platformers I’ve played in recent years. The changes to the classic formula, coupled with some of the best music video games has to offer makes it a real gem, but what made it truly noteworthy is the ambition on display. I believe Sonic Team and Sega have finally made the game they wanted to make ever since the failure of Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) and we now have a worthy successor to Sonic Adventure.
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Nov 21, 2022Sonic Frontiers is a strange experiment that somehow worked, the mix of open world game mechanics with 3D Sonic gameplay worked out unexpectedly well, with just a little more polish on this idea SEGA could possibly have something really special here.
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Nov 16, 2022With a revelatory open world to zip around and entertaining boss battles alongside the more traditional Cyber Space levels, Sonic Frontiers is the best that Sega’s hedgehog has been for years.
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Nov 10, 2022Overall, Sonic Frontiers takes the lovable blue hedgehog into new open world territory, while staying true to how Sonic should feel in a functional sense. There’s also a lot to unpack here, so don’t take on too much at once and just go with the high-speed flow.
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Nov 7, 2022Sonic 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.
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Nov 7, 2022Sonic Frontiers is nothing short of a marvel in how it blends together beloved elements from previous games with exciting new twists and turns to create something wholly unique.
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Nov 7, 2022Sonic Frontiers marks an ambitious, seismic shift for the series, with a massive open-world adventure that both honors its past and pushes the boundaries of what this franchise can look like moving forward.
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Nov 14, 2022There’s something dedicated Sonic fans see in “Frontiers” that others simply don’t, and it’s not just nostalgia.
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Nov 7, 2022Sonic Frontiers has given me good moments that I haven't had in a long time with our blue hedgehog. Many will wonder if being open world was a success, and the answer is yes. It is a very fun and intuitive game in which we will be busy with all the challenges it offers. Watching Sonic take on enemies, especially the big ones, is very satisfying. It is not a perfect game on a visual level but it is a necessary game in our lives.
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Nov 7, 2022Frontiers boldly plants one foot into the future with its “open zone” structure while keeping the other stuck in the past with mechanics and level ideas that are over a decade old. This approach results in a satisfying game even if it does not push the series into as many new frontiers as it could. It still hits many of the right notes that long-time fans will appreciate and works especially hard to satisfy those who have felt like the past few Sonic games have been missing some personality.
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Nov 7, 2022Sonic Frontiers was definitely a risk, but SEGA and Sonic Team are no strangers to rolling the dice and operating on pure ambition. If we are honest with ourselves, for too long, Sonic has come up short on the execution. But this time the iconic speedster has truly delivered. Open world games might be a dime a dozen, and they have not reinvented the wheel here. Instead, they've successfully transported Sonic to an intriguing new world that is a pleasure to explore, while maintaining some retro flare and an engaging story that will make fans happy. Put simply, Sonic Frontiers is the best 3D Sonic game ever made, and a fantastic step in the right direction that bodes very well for the future of everybody's favourite blue hedgehog.
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Nov 20, 2022Sonic Frontiers is obviously a love-it-or-hate-it sort of game so thankfully, I love it. The fact that there are just so many fun things that you can do at any given time makes my brain happy and I'm looking forward to a sequel. Please make it happen, Sega.
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Nov 7, 2022Sonic Frontiers is the best Sonic 3D game to date.
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Nov 7, 2022It may not be the most solid game out there, but it sure is a daring bet that works better than many had expected. It gives Sonic lore a new scope.
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Nov 7, 2022Branded by many as an announced disaster, Sonic Frontiers proves instead to be a chapter full of content and a lot of fun. It is not free from technical problems, however less heavy than one could imagine, but it represents the ideal bridge between the past and the future of the famous SEGA mascot.
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Feb 4, 2023Finally, after almost 25years of half measures and mostly mediocre titles, Sonic has finally reached the 3D levels of gameplay it needed to reach. Yes, the pop in is absolutely inexcusable and the ancient gatekeeping grindy methods damage the flow of the game for no reason, but a wonderfully built base exists here, with a highly entertaining adventure in wonderfully melancholic world and a surprisingly well founded story, thankfully clean of Sonic’s annoying 3rd tier friends!
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Dec 13, 2022Sonic Frontiers starts slow and puts you in a state of confusion. But as the game unravels further, it turns out to be an unforgettable and highly entertaining experience. It lacks a lot of polish, but even that does not manage to diminish the skyrocketing fun factor that will surely keep you hooked for hours.
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Dec 1, 2022This has been one enjoyable ride and it is great to see how well Sonic has fared in his latest outing. Exploration is fun, running around an island and going from grind rail to grind rail. The variety of challenges and collectibles are balanced, and combat has evolved via the new Cyloop ability, although this does get a little repetitive by the end of the game. There is never really a dull moment to be had, and there is plenty of content to power through. This is a game that every Sonic fan needs to play. Hopefully Sonic Team and SEGA follow up with a direct sequel as they have the formula nailed just right.
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Nov 22, 2022Sonic Frontiers wrangles with a muddled plot and messy technical performance, but the innovation and sheer ambition make it a joy to sprint through.
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Nov 20, 2022This is a game that constantly surprises and tries new things, and it's simply shocking that the many different components work as well as they do.
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Nov 14, 2022Sonic Frontiers may not be the best game released this year, but it is one of the best 3D Sonic titles released in recent memory and should not be missed by fans of the series.
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Nov 14, 2022Sonic Frontiers is quite a fun game with much content to enjoy. It is a first step that excites us about the franchise's future despite the technical failures it frequently presents.
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Nov 14, 2022It's not a home run, but Sonic Frontiers does so much of the things that really matter so well that it is easily the most fun 3D Sonic has been in years – maybe even decades – and a genuinely fun and engaging game on its own merits.
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Nov 11, 2022Sonic Frontiers has finally figured out how to evolve the franchise in the 3D era, with gameplay mechanics that break away from the usual on-rails hyper-velocity of past editions, ironically giving a sense of speed like very few video games have managed. It's fun, deep and full of little surprises. You can shout to the heavens: Sonic is back! But don't shout too far, or the game won't render.
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Nov 10, 2022Sonic Frontiers begs, steals, and borrows to create a better 3D Sonic title than we’ve seen in quite some time. There’s absolutely still room to grow, but this is a largely positive step forward for the franchise outside its 2D roots.
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Nov 7, 2022Sonic Team has never been afraid to take risks and Sonic Frontiers is a good example of one that has paid off. There are some areas where it is lacking, such as the minimal number of Cyberspace settings and the Titan fights, but Sonic Frontiers is the best 3D Sonic games in a long time, with its open-world foundation offering something for the series to build on in years to come.
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Nov 7, 2022Sonic Frontiers breaks the curse within the 3D franchise with a great designed open world adventure. It's not perfect, but is easy to fall in love with it. A legend like Sonic deserved a game like this.
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Nov 7, 2022It seems like every major franchise is getting the open-world treatment. At first, you’d assume that Sonic is a terrible fit for this system. But it works surprisingly well. Every island is broken down into a nested series of combat and platforming challenges. No matter the scale, you’re still getting that essential Sonic the Hedgehog experience. Unfortunately, this also means you’re getting deeply frustrated at times. Exhausting story missions, impossible puzzles, and brutal acrobatics await. But most of the game is incredibly fun. This is what Sonic games are all about. A rollercoaster ride full of dizzying highs and crushing lows. As a game, Sonic Frontiers has some definite flaws to be wary of. But as a Sonic game, this is some truly top-shelf stuff.
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Nov 7, 2022The end result is much better than expected. Sonic Frontiers does feel like the next step for the series, and if Sonic Team is able to deliver a sequel to the level of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Adventure 2 and Generations, we could be in for a new era for the hedgehog, one for the that we should all be excited about.
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Nov 7, 2022Sonic Frontiers is an all-around solid Sonic the Hedgehog game. The shift to a more open-world style of gameplay works almost entirely in its favor and allows the game to offer more freedom and exploration without resorting to werehogs. At heart, it's still the same basic 3D-style gameplay that the franchise has been doing lately, but the change in perspective works in its favor. Not every change is a winner, but enough are that I dearly hope that Sega sticks with this flavor instead of reinventing the wheel. Fans of Sonic will be delighted, and those on the fence should give Frontiers a shot. It's easy to see how the greater freedom (and lack of annoying gimmicks) could be the difference between frustration and fun.
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Nov 7, 2022Sonic Frontiers is far from perfection but still the best and most fun Sonic 3D ever.
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Nov 7, 2022There is a satisfying quality to seeing Sonic blitz through rings in a Cyber Space mission while thumping dubstep or crunchy post-hardcore riffs blast throughout the level. Watching Sonic take down a Titan ten times his size in anime-like cutscenes at the end of a boss fight is always a spectacle. There is always something cool and worth the effort to see or do in this game, which is why Sonic Frontiers works well despite being very repetitive in nature. Those who can fall into its groove will find plenty to enjoy in Sonic’s latest adventure, and as a blueprint for the franchise going forward, Sonic could not be in a better place.
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Nov 7, 2022Sonic is back and in a very entertaining adventure. There is plenty to do in the game world that is presented to you. This is thanks to the fast-paced gameplay, exploration, battles and the presence of classic levels. At the same time, the titan battles do feel somewhat limited and more annoying is the high degree of visual pop-in, which is a blemish on the whole. However, don't let that stop you from giving the game a chance, as Sonic Frontiers is ultimately a more than fine title as a whole.
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Nov 7, 2022Sonic Frontiers is exactly what the franchise needed. It might seem a little rough around the edges, but it is revolutionary for the series as a whole. Combat feels amazing, Sonic feels faster than ever, the open zones concept works well and even the story is captivating. Believe me: Sonic is back.
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Nov 7, 2022Sonic Frontiers feels like a statement from Sonic Team after years of being treated like a joke. By no means is it perfect, but this is exactly the injection of life the franchise needed after the misstep of Forces, and it's the freshest Sonic has felt since Adventure first hit the shelves. While it is wrought with minor issues, the overall package of Sonic Frontiers mostly hits the mark, with its satisfying gameplay, a storyline that will please long-time fans, and an absolutely phenomenal soundtrack. It immediately places itself among the best Sonic games ever made.
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Nov 7, 2022If I put my nostalgia-tinted glasses aside when it comes to my affection for the Adventure games, I feel pretty comfortable calling this Sonic's best 3D effort. I hope Sega continues using and refining this open world formula. Who knows, we might even get two good 3D Sonic games in a row if they do.
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Nov 7, 2022From overall balance to questionable design choices, Sonic Frontiers might not be as sophisticated or polished as the very best games out there. However, when it comes to discovery and sense of wonder, Sonic Frontier’s Open Zone design can proudly stand side by side with any open world masterpiece. While admittedly many of its activities are simple, the amount of content it offers is staggering. The Open Zones and their epic boss battles make great use of Sonic’s speed, creating an experience that still feels authentic to the character. While far from perfect, there hasn’t been a Sonic title that feels this relevant in a long time.
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Nov 7, 2022After decades of miserable failure, Sonic Team has finally made a good 3D Sonic the Hedgehog game, and it’s one of the best open world platformers ever seen.
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Nov 7, 2022Sonic Frontiers manages to mix what we expect from a Sonic game with an open world full of collectibles. The gameplay is great, the soundtrack is fantastic and the graphics are good. The title lacks in the difficulty, story and in the visuals of the cutscenes.
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Nov 7, 2022Sonic Frontiers is one of the most fun games I've played all year with a superlative soundtrack. It managed to successfully blend open world elements with Sonic mechanics which is something I didn't think would work, but here we are. Despite the visual issues and some design-related annoyances, I'm looking forward to replaying it and hope it gets some quality of life improvements in future updates.
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Nov 7, 2022It may have had a mixed reception earlier this year, but Sonic Frontiers' final form is a brilliantly refreshing adventure that gives the series a much-needed shake-up. The occasional control and camera 'quirks' still pop their head up, but they appear far less frequently than Sonic fans will be used to, making for a much less frustrating experience overall. We would absolutely welcome more of this.
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Nov 7, 2022Sonic reinvents himself with an experimental adventure that, even with its flaws, shows a solid foundation for future adventures.
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Nov 7, 2022Though it’s rough around the edges, Sonic Frontiers is the best 3D Sonic game in years. This first attempt at the open-zone concept is an admirable effort, and I can’t wait to see how Sonic Team iterates on this formula in future entries, but it’s obvious this is not the formula’s final form. For now, Sonic Frontiers stands as a solid first foray into a brave new world for Sega’s speedy mascot.
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Nov 15, 2022Sonic Frontier Unknown is a contradictory work. It breaks the doubts of many people, proves that the combination of Sonic's traditional series and the open world is feasible. However in the same time, the combination is still rough. Sonic Frontier Unknown has many flaws, but it's still a fun Sonic game, and also pointed out a new direction for the running blue hedgehog.
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Nov 22, 2022Sonic Frontiers is a strange, yet fun time. The individual levels showcase Sonic at his fast-paced, ring-hoarding best, and some of the overworlds sport rewarding exploration mechanics. The insistence by Sonic Team to jam in minigames that block progress to the story is frustrating to say the least, and some of the larger maps’ designs feel a little haphazard. Overall, though, the weirdness of the story will keep some going just to see, well, where the hell it’s all going. It’s weird how much this doesn’t feel like a Sonic game outside of the individual levels, but this is an interesting direction that Sonic Team has taken their blue blur, and hopefully we will see a continued evolution that coalesces into something great.
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Nov 18, 2022Sonic Frontiers from Sonic Team has all the right moves with controls, level design, looks, feel, and structure. What it needs to work on is making the game more pointed in its narrative and flowing without interruption. This game has a great skeleton, now all it requires is some solid content to fill some of that narrative disconnect. It contains some great elements, but it’s far from perfect.
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Nov 14, 2022Sonic Frontiers is certainly different from what we’ve come to expect from Sonic and company – both for better and for worse. I don’t think anyone is going to compare it to Mario’s forays into open (or open-ish) worlds, but if nothing else, it definitely provides an interesting way forward for a series that has often seemed like it’s wandering aimlessly in search of a purpose. Sonic Frontiers doesn’t give it that purpose, but it does suggest it’s not far off from finding it, either.
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Nov 7, 2022Sonic Frontiers takes some risks, and that's good. Even in a bizarre way, it is an evolution of the franchise that brings new air and hope for the subsequent content. If you're a Sonic fan or an adventurer, you're sure to enjoy what this brave new open world includes. From the presence of classic stages to silly but enjoyable minigames, the new things are fresh air to the playground of possibilities that Sonic can run through. And even with its flaws and oddities (a bunch of them), I'll be back running through the fields of Frontiers to find what was missing in my first playthrough.
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Nov 7, 2022For the most part, the years haven't been kind to the Blue Blur, but while Frontiers has its problems, it's by far the most enjoyable and ambitious 3D entry in a long time. Its huge open spaces add a refreshing take, and zooming around at high speeds is still fun even after all these years. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of a glorious comeback for everyone's favorite speedy hedgehog.
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Nov 7, 2022Sonic Frontiers has its fair share of issues, but the open world direction and varied gameplay makes it the most exciting Sonic game in decades.
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Nov 7, 2022Sonic Frontiers is a fun ride for those who love the series. It has everything a Sonic fan would want in an open world game. Except maybe for the boss fights, that are not that entertaining or challenging. The performance also fails to impress, as the Starfall Islands are filled with visual glitches and bugs.
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Nov 7, 2022Sonic Frontiers is an unsteady first run at the open-world genre for the blue blur but Sonic Team has crafted something endearing and immensely enjoyable all the same. Its core systems are fun, making Sonic’s iconic speed an integral part of traversal and combat alike while paying homage to what has come before in its Cyber Space levels. It’s not perfect, but it tries its heart out and I come away with warm memories of an uneven game.
| This publication does not provide a score for their reviews. | |
| This publication has not posted a final review score yet. | |
| These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation. | |
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Nov 14, 2022The first step for the future of Sonic: The Hedgehog. Ambitious, brave and fresh ideas and concepts for the Sega mascot, but need to improve his visuals and rethink a few things to be the game that Sonic deserves.
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Nov 7, 2022Sonic Frontiers isn't the disappointment the Sonic Cycle has conditioned us to expect, nor is it the masterpiece Sega fans have been hoping for. It's a super-speedy step in the right direction for the series though, and hopefully lays the foundation for a truly incredible followup.
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Nov 7, 2022Despite the joys offered, Sonic Frontiers is a hot mess of a reinvention that can't commit to its new direction.
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Nov 7, 2022As frustrating as Sonic Frontiers can be, I can’t say I didn’t enjoy this new, more flexible take on the timeworn series. Sure, the story, while intriguing at times, didn’t do much to keep me hooked aside from some unexpectedly funny deliveries from Sonic (who constantly brushes off lore dumps from other characters by saying he’s either gone through worse or he’s just here to save his friends). What’s more, the game often felt more like a checklist than, well, a game. I completed more minigames than I could count. The list of frustrations goes on. It’s unfortunate to see a Sonic game that tries, and often succeeds, in retreading past foundations and applying them to a different setting. But the highs of fighting the Titans or playing remakes of classic levels can’t justify the frustrations that constantly put stops along the way.
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Nov 21, 2022I love Sonic. I can’t overstate this enough. And when you love something the way I love Sonic, you want to see them be the best they can be. Sonic Frontiers is nowhere close to being the best. There is a lot of a really good game, but it’s buried and obscured by frustrating mechanics and baffling design decisions.
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 2,382 out of 2952
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Mixed: 167 out of 2952
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Negative: 403 out of 2952
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Nov 9, 2022This is really the right next step into the franchise and im so happy super sonic is finally useful again please go play the game is great
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Nov 9, 2022
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Nov 12, 2022Pretty good game after years of ass, third island sucks tho but this game is definitely a “good game” and is rare to say with sonic