2022 has been a stacked year for gaming. At the beginning of the year, everyone raved about Elden Ring. Then the middle of the year, we had hits like Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Cult of the Lamb, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge. But no game has had me more excited to sit down for hours on end with a controller in my hand than Sonic Frontiers. 

Over the last week, I’ve sat down extensively with the game to detail my thoughts in two ways. First, my initial reaction after the first 6-10 hours of gameplay. Second, my thoughts after completing the game to 100%. Why 100%? Well, there’s a secret ending if you do. And I believe the extra time to achieve that finale will be worth it based on what I’ve seen story-wise so far.

So what have I played? What have I seen and experienced? Let’s get started.

A mysterious world to explore like never before

As Sonic Frontiers opens, Sonic, Tails, and Amy become separated on the mysterious Starfall Islands. Sonic wakes up to an unfamiliar voice telling him to “find the chaos emeralds.” After that, you’re off to figure out what’s going on and find your friends. The game is very vague initially with story elements and where you are supposed to go. While this might turn off some players, I found the exploration one of the more exciting elements as I got used to Sonic’s speed in the open world and the new combat. 

This seems like a good time to pivot to said combat. While it can be finicky in the command input for some moves, it does mostly work to fantastic results. Facing enemies doesn’t feel like the chore it was in Sonic Unleashed. Instead, it feels like it’s carefully thought out to make you learn everything you can to succeed. 

Enemy variation and mini-bosses help in learning your whole arsenal of moves. Some go down easier if you figure out what special can take them down quickly. And it feels really invigorating to pull off combos on multiple types of enemies when you get the hang of things.

Also, on a quick note, full credit to Sonic Team for making the loading screens tutorials for all these combos. It went a long way toward helping me get comfortable with all of Sonic’s new moves. Great little feature to include devs!

Could this be the best boss fights in the franchise?

After finding all the chaos emeralds, you come face to face with your first boss fight in Sonic Frontiers. To the shock of many players, you go Super Sonic ON THE FIRST MAJOR BOSS. And this isn’t a one-time thing. For every titan boss fight, you must fight as Super Sonic. They are so towering and imposing that it takes Sonic’s fully powered-up form to take them down.

AND. IT. RULES.

I know my job as a critic is to be subjective. But I can’t help it this time. I’ve faced the first two titans, and they hit ALL of the beats to have my jaw on the ground. The skill it takes to beat them, the badass metal music in the background as you do, the super moves you pull off to beat these behemoths. Every part about these fights is the most jazzed up I’ve felt in boss fights since Devil May Cry 5. And no, I do not make that comparison lightly. They’re that damn epic. And they might be some of the best boss fights ever in a 3D Sonic title.

Initial thoughts wrap-up

In my early time with the game, Sonic Frontiers looks to be setting a bold new approach for the franchise. While there are some issues to kink out, it’s difficult for me not to marvel at the sheer scope and effort to take the series in this fresh direction. I only hope the pacing of the gameplay, boss fights, and story manage to keep up for the whole time. If it does, the amount of “He’s back! SONIC IS BACK!” I’m going to launch at doubters will keep me busy over the next year. Stay tuned for the full review next week!