"Sonic Frontiers" Switch Review: A New Open-World Attempt, Next-Gen Expectations

Hello Switch players! I'm your old friend, a seasoned gamer and game reviewer with over ten years of experience. Today, I want to talk to you about a somewhat controversial but also innovative game: "Sonic Frontiers." This game is the latest installment in the Sonic series, and it boldly adopts an open-world setting, attempting to inject new vitality into this classic IP. But how does this game perform on the Nintendo Switch? Is it worth purchasing? Let's dive in and take a closer look.

1. "Sonic Frontiers" Game Overview

"Sonic Frontiers" is an action-adventure game developed by Sonic Team and published by SEGA. The story takes place in a mysterious world called the Starfall Islands, where Sonic and his friends are caught up in a conspiracy. Players need to control Sonic to explore this vast open world, solve puzzles, defeat enemies, rescue friends, and uncover the hidden secrets of the Starfall Islands.

Unlike previous Sonic games, "Sonic Frontiers" uses an open-world setting. Players are no longer limited to linear level designs but can freely explore a huge map. This change undoubtedly brings more possibilities to the game, but also presents many challenges.

2. Gameplay Review: The Fusion of Open-World Exploration and Speed

2.1 Open-World Exploration Experience

The biggest highlight of "Sonic Frontiers" is its open-world setting. The Starfall Islands consist of five distinctive islands, each with unique landscapes and challenges. Players can run, jump, and glide freely on these islands, experiencing Sonic's signature high-speed movement.

During exploration, players need to collect various items, such as stars, gears, and memory tokens. These items can be used to upgrade Sonic's abilities, unlock new skills, or advance the plot. In addition, players can also discover hidden treasure chests, challenges, and secret areas, which will bring additional rewards and surprises.

However, there are also some problems with the open-world exploration experience. First, the design of some areas is slightly empty, lacking sufficient interactive elements. Second, some puzzle designs are relatively simple and lack challenge. Finally, the map guidance is not clear enough, making it easy for players to get lost.

2.2 Combat System

The combat system in "Sonic Frontiers" has also been innovated. Sonic can learn various new attack skills, such as Phantom Rush and Sonic Boom. Players can choose the appropriate skills to fight according to different enemies and situations.

There are many types of enemies in the game, including robots, monsters, and titans. Each enemy has different attack methods and weaknesses. Players need to master the characteristics of the enemies to defeat them effectively.

Titan battles are one of the highlights of the game. Players need to fight against huge Titans, using Sonic's speed and skills to find the Titan's weaknesses and eventually defeat them. These battle scenes are magnificent and impressive.

2.3 Core Loop

The core loop of the game revolves around exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat. Players explore the open world, discovering new areas and challenges. Through puzzles and combat, players can collect items, upgrade abilities, and advance the plot.

This core loop brings fun to the game to a certain extent, but it also has some repetitiveness. In the later stages of the game, players may feel a lack of freshness.

3. Graphics and Sound Effects: Compromises and Optimizations of the Switch Version

3.1 Visual Presentation

The visual presentation of "Sonic Frontiers" on the Nintendo Switch is undoubtedly discounted. Compared to other platforms, the Switch version has lower screen resolution, fewer details, and poorer texture quality. In addition, the frame rate of the Switch version also fluctuates, and it will drop significantly in some scenes.

However, the developer SEGA has also made some optimizations for the characteristics of the Switch platform. For example, the game uses dynamic resolution technology, which can automatically adjust the resolution according to the complexity of the screen to ensure the smooth operation of the game.

Although the visual presentation of the Switch version is not as good as other platforms, considering the hardware performance of the Switch, such a visual presentation is acceptable.

3.2 Sound Effects

The sound effects of "Sonic Frontiers" are quite excellent. The game's background music is full of energy and dynamism, complementing Sonic's sense of speed. The sound design is also in place, with various attacks, explosions, and environmental sounds being lifelike.

The game's voice acting is also commendable. The voice acting of Sonic and other characters is very appropriate and can well express the characters' personalities and emotions.

4. Plot Analysis: Saving Friends and Uncovering Secrets

The plot of "Sonic Frontiers" is not complicated, but it is attractive enough. Sonic and his friends are caught up in a conspiracy, and they need to solve the secrets of the Starfall Islands to save their trapped friends.

The plot is interspersed with some touching scenes, such as Sonic's reunion with Amy, and his sense of responsibility to his friends. These plots add some emotional color to the game.

However, there are also some shortcomings in the plot. For example, the motives of some characters are not clear enough, and the plot twists are somewhat stiff.

5. Handling Feel: Sonic's Signature Sense of Speed

The handling feel of "Sonic Frontiers" continues the consistent style of the Sonic series. Sonic's operation is very flexible, and players can easily control him to run, jump, and slide.

The operation of various skills in the game is also very simple and easy to understand. Players can release various attack skills through simple button combinations.

However, there are also some problems with the handling feel. For example, when moving at high speed, Sonic's control may become somewhat difficult. In addition, the judgment of some jumps is also somewhat inaccurate.

6. Comparison with Similar Games

As an open-world action-adventure game, "Sonic Frontiers" can be compared with some similar games, such as "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" and "Genshin Impact."

Compared with "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," the open-world exploration experience of "Sonic Frontiers" is slightly inferior. The open world of "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" is more free, and the interactive elements are more abundant.

Compared with "Genshin Impact," the combat system of "Sonic Frontiers" is simpler and more direct. The combat system of "Genshin Impact" is more complex, requiring players to consider the character's attributes and skill combinations.

Overall, "Sonic Frontiers" has a lot of room for improvement in the design of the open world, but it also demonstrates the potential of the Sonic series in the open-world field.

7. Expectations for the Nintendo Switch 2

Considering the hardware limitations of the Nintendo Switch, "Sonic Frontiers" has done its best. However, we also have higher expectations for the future Nintendo Switch 2. More powerful hardware performance will enable this game to show better picture effects, smoother running speeds, and richer gaming experiences.

With the release of nintendo switch2 first look, we have reason to believe that on the next-generation console, "Sonic Frontiers" or its sequel will be able to show the real charm of the open world, and truly realize Sonic's dream of galloping freely in the vast open world. If nintendo switch2 compatibility can perfectly compatible with existing Switch games, it would undoubtedly be the best gift for players.

8. Game Guide: Beginner's Guide and Advanced Skills

8.1 Beginner's Guide

• Familiarize yourself with Sonic's operation methods and master the skills of running, jumping, and sliding.
• Actively explore the open world and collect various items and resources.
• Unlock new skills to improve Sonic's abilities.
• Fight various enemies and master the enemies' attack methods and weaknesses.
• Solve puzzles to advance the plot.

8.2 Advanced Skills and Strategies

• Use Sonic's speed and skills to quickly traverse the map.
• Master the release timing of various attack skills to effectively defeat enemies.
• Use environmental elements, such as springs and ziplines, for high-speed movement.
• Allocate resources reasonably and prioritize upgrading important abilities.
• In Titan battles, find the Titan's weaknesses and use skills to attack.

8.3 Level Guide and Clearance Methods

Since the game is an open world, there are no strictly defined levels. Players can freely choose the order and method of exploration. However, some areas are more difficult and require players to have certain strength and skills.

It is recommended that players prioritize exploring simpler areas, collecting resources, improving abilities, and then challenging more difficult areas.

8.4 Best Equipment and Skill Combinations

There is no equipment system in the game. Players can upgrade Sonic's abilities and unlock new skills by collecting items.

It is recommended that players prioritize upgrading Sonic's speed and attack power. Speed can improve exploration efficiency, and attack power can improve combat ability.

In terms of skill combinations, it is recommended that players choose some skills with displacement and control effects. For example, Phantom Rush can move quickly, and Sonic Boom can control enemies.

8.5 Speedrun Skills and Hidden Elements Guide

• Use Sonic's speed to quickly traverse the map.
• Skip some unnecessary battles and puzzles.
• Find hidden passages and shortcuts.
• Use BUGs to speed up the clearance.

Regarding hidden elements, the game hides some special challenges and areas. Players can discover these hidden elements through exploration and get additional rewards.

9. Game Recommendation and Purchase Advice

9.1 Suitable for

• Players who like the Sonic series.
• Players who like open-world action-adventure games.
• Players who like high-speed movement and refreshing battles.

9.2 Purchase Advice

If players are fans of the Sonic series, or like open-world action-adventure games, then "Sonic Frontiers" is worth a try.

If players have high requirements for picture performance, or high requirements for open-world design, then you may need to consider other platform versions.

Considering nintendo switch2 price, and the performance of "Sonic Frontiers" on the Switch, if the price is right, you can consider buying it.

9.3 Cost Performance Analysis

The cost performance of "Sonic Frontiers" on the Switch is average. The game's visual performance is not as good as other platforms, but considering the hardware performance of the Switch, it is acceptable.

If players can buy this game at a lower price, its cost performance will be higher.

10. Summary and Rating

Overall, "Sonic Frontiers" is an innovative and controversial game. It boldly adopts an open-world setting, attempting to inject new vitality into the Sonic series. Although the game has a lot of room for improvement in the design of the open world, it has good performance in terms of the combat system and handling feel.

However, the visual performance of the Switch version is undoubtedly discounted. Compared to other platforms, the Switch version has lower screen resolution and fewer details.

Considering all factors, the final score of the Switch version of "Sonic Frontiers" is:

7.0/10

• Gameplay: 7.5/10 (The fusion of open-world exploration and speed, but there is repetitiveness)
• Graphics: 6.0/10 (Compromises and optimizations of the Switch version, the visual performance is not as good as other platforms)
• Sound Effects: 8.0/10 (The sound effects are excellent, and the background music is full of energy and dynamism)
• Plot: 7.0/10 (The plot is not complicated, but it is attractive enough)
• Handling Feel: 7.5/10 (Sonic's signature sense of speed, but there are some control issues)

Authoritative ratings for reference:

• IGN: 7/10 (https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-review - You need to replace it with the latest IGN rating and modify the link text yourself)
• Metacritic: 72/100 (https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/sonic-frontiers - You need to replace it with the latest Metacritic rating and modify the link text yourself)

"Sonic Frontiers" is a bold attempt by the Sonic series. It demonstrates the potential of the Sonic series in the open-world field and also points out the direction for future Sonic games. If the Sonic series can continue to improve in the design of the open world, then we have reason to believe that future Sonic games will be more exciting. And for the Nintendo Switch 2, more powerful performance will undoubtedly bring better performance to this game. I hope we can see a more perfect "Sonic" work on the Nintendo Switch 2!

I hope this review can help you! If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave a message in the comment area. See you next time!