Thursday, 2 June 2022

Sonic Frontiers – An Open Opportunity For An Open-World Adventure

Shortly after the release of Pac-Man Museum+ and during the sudden guest appearances of the Ice Age cast in Minecraft [15] [16], a new world premiere gameplay trailer for Sonic Frontiers was unleashed [10]. Reference to Sonic the Werehog entirely intended [28] [29]. Even though some of us hoped for an official Brazilian Portuguese dub of the game back in January [3] [5] [6], it was confirmed there will at least be subtitles available in the language, along with some others, including Simplified and Traditional Chinese for Asian versions [33]. Gameplay and story wise, there has been some speculation on how engaging the forthcoming title’s individuality will be. Furthermore, there may be some more reveals without spoilers very soon. As my fellow British gamers and writers and I celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee like how we celebrated her Diamond Jubilee back in 2012 [42] [43], plenty of our dear Sonic supporters are pumped even further for the experience of playing Sonic Frontiers later this year [10] [30] [33] [35], especially on the PlayStation 5 for the blue blur’s legacy to excel on the fairly new entertainment system after the acclaim of Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, the remaster of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales and so on [13] [38].

Here is the new logo for the game. Its design is quite futuristic, but would that lead to Silver the Hedgehog earning a bigger role again [27]? [26]
Something is captivating about the highly familiar gameplay elements of modern Sonic games returning [30] [35]. There are foes for Sonic to strike with his homing attack, along with a huge one that appears to be within a boss battle. And let us not forget about the rails for Sonic to grind on and springs he can bounce from whilst collecting rings. I am speaking from experience of playing the Wii versions of Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Colours as a Sonic-loving teenager [23] [28]. Aside from what has been shown in the gameplay trailer [10], perhaps there can be another boss battle where the blue dude’s best friend flies the Tornado, much like in the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of Sonic Unleashed [34]. Additionally, there might as well be some underwater areas, like the ones in Aquarium Park in Sonic Colours [23] [24]. Surely, Sonic has always been about speed, but I have always been willing to let him try other things, even after I departed from the fandom in mid-2015 [44]. Furthermore, there is some speculation that some new and fresh elements in the game in terms of its gameplay and story as a new aura consisting of squared sparks as Sonic runs must provide a new power [10] [30] [35].

It must be exhausting setting up all those springs and dash pads in a huge open area for one speedy rodent. [35]
Even though those highly familiar aspects of speedy platforming are essential, there will need to be some new elements for an upcoming title that will make its individuality stand out. [35]
What discoveries will be there for Sonic on a new adventure? He is seen roaming through what appears to be a new open-world, similar to The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild [10] [19] [35]. Even though it would lead to longer development, I quite like the idea of Sonic being in an open world, somewhat like the times when he would speak to human characters in Sonic ‘06 and the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of Sonic Unleashed [27] [29]. There appears to be a huge wheel he will need to run in to activate some sort of power [30] [35]. Moreover, it looks like there will be puzzles to be solved [10], quite like in the Gaia Temples in Sonic Unleashed [28]. How he can run up a surreal path on walls faintly reminds me of that gimmick in Super Mario Galaxy [10] [18]. The new enemies will not only require some of that homing to be defeated but also consist of rather refreshing designs, including possibly multiple badniks working together as one mechanical mind [30] [35]. Even though new gimmicks may not always work when it comes to preventing a franchise from going stale, the puzzles to solve in an open-world for Sonic is a pretty good concept for a brand new game starring him [10].

What other open worlds could there be besides Starfall Islands? A winter wasteland? A humid desert? A tropical jungle? Some spooky hills haunted by ghosts? [10]
Reflecting on the announcement trailer, any idea of what the plot could be like? I do not doubt that Dr. Eggman will have something to do with the prime conflict. Knowing he is the series’ main antagonist, I am sure that his misdeed will be diabolical [23] [24] [25] [27] [28] [29]. Miles “Tails” Prower ought to keep following his passion for inventing [23] [24]. Aside from the source of a voice calling Sonic’s name possibly being Amy Rose in the announcement trailer that was released at the end of the 30th anniversary of the franchise [33] [36] [49], could there be a brand new character consisting of some value to the plot elements, as well as some new possibly development for him? Despite a certain concern I have with the blue speedster’s portrayal in Sonic Prime as I analysed its teaser [48], I do not doubt that he will still be noble in Sonic Frontiers and perhaps be a fellow supporter of LGBT rights, especially during Pride Month [47]. He still ought to be as loveable as the collaboration between Pusheen the Cat and Hatsune Miku with perhaps his cockiness from Sonic Colours and his crossover with OK KO toned down just a notch [22] [23] [24] [41] [48]. Hopefully, there will not be another time travel plot full of holes in an open world adventure [27].
The writing’s tone will likely be similar to the tone in Sonic Forces [25]. However, I would suggest bringing back the strong character explorations from Sonic and the Secret Rings and Sonic and the Black Knight, especially for the heroic hedgehog [48]. [36] [49]

Besides Sonic, we are yet to see the appearances of Miles “Tails” Prower, Amy Rose and Dr. Eggman [33]. I am still up for Silver the Hedgehog appearing at some point in a respectable role that will leave some big impact on the story to make up for his negative reception in Sonic ’06 [27]. [36] [49]
The first half of 2022 has been an engaging time to be a fan of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, including the bonus feature titled “Sonic Drone Home” in the digital release of Sonic’s amazing live-action sequel the irony and hilarity of witnessing his scrapped design for the first movie nicknamed “Ugly Sonic” in Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers [7] [32] [48]. Despite being a former fan, I hope that the outcome of Sonic Frontiers will be an exceptional conclusion to a thrilling year for the blue blur with outstanding bug-free gameplay and a passable storyline to follow [10] [30] [35] [36] [49], possibly around the time our fellow Poké players begin a new journey to the ninth generation of the Pokémon franchise [20] [21] [40]. I also pray that I will eventually see the season finale of Helluva Boss, despite some unfortunate news after the release of the redesign of Vaggie from Hazbin Hotel [8] [9] [14]. Aside from proactivity, there can still be a few blasts from the past in Sonic Origins later this month [37]. I shall also hold high hopes for Sonic Prime and continue writing [4] [45], no matter how much hate I could receive on social media [1] [2] [11] [46]. As we may have to wait for some more reveals [30], stay way past cool!

I believe that this June is going to be a fun month as it will not only be Sonic’s birthday later on but also the celebration of Kirby’s 30th anniversary [12]. But in the meantime, let us stay active, especially outside of social media [39]! [36] [49]

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