Sonic Frontiers is the next mainline Sonic game, and fan expectations are cautious. Sonic’s transition to 3D was notoriously rough, and ever since Generations was released, the franchise has struggled. After releasing a few crowd pleasers like Sonic Colors, Sega and Sonic Team was seemingly confused on what to do with the Blue Blur. Sonic games released in the 2010s proved to be divisive, with the series’ old habit of shoehorning random new characters and gimmicks into titles like Lost World and Forces. Only Sonic Mania, ironically not made by Sonic Team, received a level of acclaim comparable to the series’ most beloved titles.
While not much is known about Sonic Frontiers, it has been confirmed that the game's story will be penned by Ian Flynn, the chief writer for the Archie Sonic comics since the 160th issue, and the lead writer of the IDW Sonic comic series. Replacing Warren Graff and Ken Pontac, who also worked on Happy Tree Friends, Flynn’s presence is a breath of fresh air. There is a possibility that his involvement with Sonic Frontiers will bring new life into the franchise.
The Sonic Games’ Writing Issues
Originally a simple platforming series, Sonic the Hedgehog evolved into one of the genre’s most notable examples of story driven content. While the series’ infamous tendency to polarize people started in the mid-90s, it did not take long for Sonic Team to turn its work into something that takes itself more seriously. Each game marked the debut of at least once character, with Adventure being the guiltiest party with four important newcomers (Tikal, Chaos, Gamma, and Big), and arguably five if the introduction of Amy’s modern characterization counts.
This was an issue due to the series becoming more experimental, instead of taking what it knows and strengthening the comfort zone like Mario did. The Sonic Adventure duology, while beloved today and back when each first came out, are arguably responsible for the series attempting to take itself too seriously in the eyes of fans. Pointlessly expanding onto the Sonic universe with new characters and gimmicks felt unnecessary when players want an engaging platforming experience with a charming and colorful world.
This seemingly ended when Sonic Colors only had to do with interesting levels starring Sonic, Tails, and Dr. Eggman. However, other issues started creeping up in addition to the return of random new characters. The cast’s personalities changed and were reduced to superficial traits. Sonic was cocky, Tails whimpered at the sight of danger, Amy’s obsession with Sonic overshadowed her other traits, Shadow was broody, and so on. Games like Forces tried too hard to have a repeat of Adventure with their stories. It seems like Sonic is more confused than it ever has been in the 2000s.
Flynn’s Experience with Sonic
Ian Flynn is not just a competent writer in his own field, but the fact that he specializes in Sonic stories can not be anything but good news for Sonic Frontiers. While Sega is notoriously strict with its directions for the comics, Flynn has been able to adapt to these restrictions to write nuanced portrayals of characters that fans have spent three decades caring for. For example, in the IDW comics, Amy is still in love with Sonic, but she is able to maintain her cool around him and can even lead operations with or without his help.
Under Flynn’s leadership, the IDW team also successfully told a zombie apocalypse story with Sonic characters that took itself seriously. Original characters, ethical and villainous, such as Tangle, Whisper, Dr. Starline, and Mimic, were created for these comics. Fans welcomed them with open arms, and unlike several one-timers from the games, they do not feel out of place in the Sonic universe.
With Flynn in control of the story, Sonic Frontiers has the potential to return the franchise to some of its narrative roots while offering new interpretations of these famous characters. Flynn is capable of making the Sonic universe feel grand without compromising the series’ tone and premise. Although his experience is limited to comic books, and the transition from one medium to another can be rough, his familiarity with the Blue Blur makes the Sonic Frontiers story look all the more promising, especially after a decade of underwhelming Sonic output.
Sonic Frontiers is scheduled to releases during the holiday season of 2022 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.