Sonic Frontiers is trying a lot of new things with the Blue Blur’s abilities and environment, and it remains to be seen how well they will work. For one, the game takes place on a series of huge islands that the developers have referred to as open zones. Sonic Frontiers’ use of an entire new framing device for its gameplay makes exploring its hub areas just as important as speeding through its distinct levels. Among the things players will find there are more opportunities for combat, with a focus on fighting techniques in Sonic’s repertoire not seen since Shadow the Hedgehog.
While players are solving environmental puzzles and fighting enemies of different sizes and shapes, they will also gradually be collecting Vault Keys through various means. This can be through linear stages, combat, finding them in the world, or just buying them from Big the Cat’s shop. These are used to obtain the sealed-away Chaos Emeralds, and Sonic Frontiers will change even more once players get all seven. After years of coupling him with the final fight, adding him through DLC, or excluding him entirely, Super Sonic will be playable in Sonic Frontiers’ regular gameplay, and this could set a good precedent for future titles.
The Varied Uses of Super Sonic
Back in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the Genesis, Super Sonic was a reward for completionists who combed through levels and found portals to bonus levels, some of which demanded learning new skills to complete. However, the results were worth it. Not only did players get a slightly better ending, and an extra level in the case of Sonic & Knuckles, they were able to manually turn into the invincible Super Sonic after collecting enough rings. Super Sonic, and the other super forms found in Sonic 3 & Knuckles, were an iconic part of the Sonic the Hedgehog series, and few major entries could justify leaving the Super Saiyan analogue out.
The 1998 Sonic Adventure did away with hidden stages, marking a major paradigm shift in the series. Now that Sonic games were becoming more linear, Chaos Emeralds had to either become more plot-relevant or risk being sidelined. Super Sonic and equivalents for other characters frequently showed up for the final boss fight, but even that wasn’t a surefire thing. Sonic Colors and a few of the 3D titles past it relegated Super Sonic to an out-of-the-way unlockable, to the point where most players weren't likely to see him until the postgame. Minimizing Super Sonic wasn’t a ruinous change to the Sonic formula, but it did rob the series of a unique element for many fans unconcerned with completion.
Sonic Frontiers Could Get Super Sonic Back On Track
Now, Sonic Frontiers is bringing Super Sonic back in a big way. He’s still mandatory for plot progression, but players will be able to start using him before the endgame. Mysterious giant bosses called Titans are wandering through the overworld, and while Sonic may be able to soften some of them up, he can’t deal the finishing blow without the Emeralds’ assistance. It sounds like Super Sonic will have some abilities unique to him on top of the usual flight and temporary invincibility, but there’s no word on whether players can fly Super Sonic through any other part of the game.
This presents some concerns for Super Sonic’s implementation in future Sonic titles, but still feels like a step in the right direction. It seems like there’s some time expected in between players gaining Super Sonic and Frontiers’ ending, which appropriately frames him as a reward. There’s room to make progress without the form, and multiple avenues to gain it. Super Sonic is still too tied into the plot to be an optional bonus, though this arguably resembles his original 2D implementation more than other 3D Sonic titles. Sonic Frontiers uses Super Sonic as a climactic moment rather than a power-up, but it allows players to build up to multiple gameplay climaxes, and that respects the mechanic’s intent. The golden hedgehog doesn’t always need to be on full display in the ever-changing Sonic franchise, but it would be nice to include him as a mid-game surprise for hard-working players every once in a while.
Sonic Frontiers launches November 8 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.