So to correct this, the mini game where you pilot a little ship and shoot at the final boss isn't a Galaga reference but a reference to a bullet hell game called Ikaruga
My Known Sonic Frontiers Positive Opinions 1. The game is my third favorite Sonic game. 2. Open World/Adventure gameplay than only linear gameplay. 3. The characters' models still have good graphic and animation in some of the platform versions, although they may still not have as great graphic as the Sonic Forces, Shadow Generations, Sonic Superstars, and Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 models. 4. The game is released just the same year as Sonic the Hedgehog Movie 2 and Sonic Prime TV show in 2022. 5. Amy is probably still mature and not an annoying fangirl stalker for Sonic since Sonic Lost World. 6. Sonic's new powers and skills. 7. Sonic Frontiers won an award from Japan and probably even became the most popular Sonic game in Japan. 8. There is an alternative ending update of the game "The Final Horozon". 9. Tails, Knuckles and Amy are playable in The Final Horizon story update. 10. Big the Cat appear in a non-car racing Sonic game ever since Sonic Heroes and there is a fishing gameplay with Big. 11. Sticks the Badger was mentioned in the main canon, which means she will probably appear in the later Sonic main canon games. 11. One of the longest Sonic games. 12. The linear levels are short and not so hard. My Known Sonic Frontiers Negative Opinions 1. None other characters than Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy and Big don't also appear in the game. 2. The game wasn't released in 2021 for Sonic's 30th anniversary. 3. There are no town/city hub worlds and other human characters. 4. There are no non-gameplay CGI cutscenes in the game when there was in its trailer. 5. There are no rings and Sonic have only 400 rings when Sonic had to beat all the Titan bosses again in The Final Horizon story update which is even the hardest in any Sonic games.
From the announcement to actually playing this game was a rollercoaster with a side of anxiety. But damn, this game helped me with my depression (after having started therapy for some time!), and I don't know if it makes sense, but what I love most about Frontiers is that it feels like an ACTUAL GAME, it made me feel like I was a child again with a sense of wonder having fun and curiosity. To me, the base game was already perfect! The only things that I would criticize would be the use of 2D in the third island and Supreme's boss fight. I wish Supreme's fight was a bit more unique and also I hate when "cinematics" overshadow actual gameplay, so, the fact that I couldn't defeat Supreme unless I let him hit me first was a bit off, but I love everything else, the gameplay, the layout, the controls, the story, that it took different elements from previous games, some cutscenes were REALLY beautiful, also the Ikaruga fight at the end. I honestly don't understand why people got so angry at that, the last boss fight always changes the gameplay and the scene of Super Sonic flying towards The End as a shooting start in the middle of the dark void of space was totally beautiful! I totally disagree when people say that this is "peak-mid" or bs like that, you can totally criticize the game, but it's a great game nonetheless. So, in general I agree with you hahaha
I never said it before but the idea of a reverse retrospective is incredibly unique & I applaud the challenge. It makes me want to C more ppl try it. I'll also say as a halo fan it's funny u mentioned that cus as someone who played both on release day the I had an interestin experience in relatin the 2. I relate them to each-other more beyond jus this as a fan of both but I can only mention this for rn. I have huge problems wit the game & it's incredibly rough but it is fun & I do like it on the whole & I do think it's "good" especially wit the updates.
Nice review! Yeah, I started seeing a lot of backlash for this game recently. And it made me wonder, especially with the discussions about what Sonic should be, and then I realised strangely that this game is actually everything I don't expect from an open world (zone!) sonic game, even though I kinda enjoyed it. For one, there seems to be an absence of physics, all platforms are suspended above, with very little interaction with the terrain, there is an abundance of dash panels everywhere, the graphics are super realistic, and the enemies are scary looking titans. Not that it makes it bad or anything, i just find it interesting how the definition of a sonic game has changed over time. Especially when I compare it to Speed Simulator on Roblox, or even the fanmade Sonic Utopia. You realise that there is more automation and little use of momentum based level design. I also hear people say this game is empty and unfocused with not much to do, which I disagree with. What stuff do you think the sequel should focus on or possibly improve upon?
I think if they can improve the controls and fix some bugs that would be really good. Maybe make the game a bit less repetitive and not overdo it with the 2D sections. Like the base is all there to build off of (similar to how TOTK improved on BOTW). Just polish it up and don't rush and don't get too crazy. Oh and of course improved (including controls) and original cyberspace stages would be greatly appreciated.
@NintenDeen That's fair, this game actually was quite buggy upon release. In fact, considering all those problems, I'm honestly surprised it actually got such a positive reception. Although it definitely is a step up from Forces. But overall I would still say it is good. Although I did prefer BOTW overall to TOTK, but I'm sure they will keep the formula and improve upon it, considering how positive the reception was Also, I have some other questions on some of your other reviews, do you mind answering them please?
I'm not sure if u played last year's new Sonic game Sonic Dream Team on Apple Arcade but that one was great too. It was also nice to play as Sonic's friends again long after 06. At least some of the haters of Sonic's friends would give them another chance. As I said other games besides Sonic like Mario and Donkey Kong let's u play as other characters and not just the main ones.
Hm, I should have probably went into it a bit more. Basically I think some (not all) games in the series suffer because they're compared to the previous titles. A simple example would be Sonic Forces' use of Green Hill. When Generations used it I don't believe there had been a 3D Green Hill Zone since SA2. And even then, in SA2 it was just a completion reward. So it was generally well received in Generations, but by the time Forces came out we were sick of it. Obviously there's more nuance involved when it comes to the mechanics and gameplay, but I do think at times the harsh criticisms due to stuff life this take an average game and force it to be perceived as trash.
The reverse retrospective is a great idea. It can totally change ones perspective about a game series.
So to correct this, the mini game where you pilot a little ship and shoot at the final boss isn't a Galaga reference but a reference to a bullet hell game called Ikaruga
My Known Sonic Frontiers Positive Opinions
1. The game is my third favorite Sonic game.
2. Open World/Adventure gameplay than only linear gameplay.
3. The characters' models still have good graphic and animation in some of the platform versions, although they may still not have as great graphic as the Sonic Forces, Shadow Generations, Sonic Superstars, and Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 models.
4. The game is released just the same year as Sonic the Hedgehog Movie 2 and Sonic Prime TV show in 2022.
5. Amy is probably still mature and not an annoying fangirl stalker for Sonic since Sonic Lost World.
6. Sonic's new powers and skills.
7. Sonic Frontiers won an award from Japan and probably even became the most popular Sonic game in Japan.
8. There is an alternative ending update of the game "The Final Horozon".
9. Tails, Knuckles and Amy are playable in The Final Horizon story update.
10. Big the Cat appear in a non-car racing Sonic game ever since Sonic Heroes and there is a fishing gameplay with Big.
11. Sticks the Badger was mentioned in the main canon, which means she will probably appear in the later Sonic main canon games.
11. One of the longest Sonic games.
12. The linear levels are short and not so hard.
My Known Sonic Frontiers Negative Opinions
1. None other characters than Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy and Big don't also appear in the game.
2. The game wasn't released in 2021 for Sonic's 30th anniversary.
3. There are no town/city hub worlds and other human characters.
4. There are no non-gameplay CGI cutscenes in the game when there was in its trailer.
5. There are no rings and Sonic have only 400 rings when Sonic had to beat all the Titan bosses again in The Final Horizon story update which is even the hardest in any Sonic games.
From the announcement to actually playing this game was a rollercoaster with a side of anxiety.
But damn, this game helped me with my depression (after having started therapy for some time!), and I don't know if it makes sense, but what I love most about Frontiers is that it feels like an ACTUAL GAME, it made me feel like I was a child again with a sense of wonder having fun and curiosity.
To me, the base game was already perfect! The only things that I would criticize would be the use of 2D in the third island and Supreme's boss fight. I wish Supreme's fight was a bit more unique and also I hate when "cinematics" overshadow actual gameplay, so, the fact that I couldn't defeat Supreme unless I let him hit me first was a bit off, but I love everything else, the gameplay, the layout, the controls, the story, that it took different elements from previous games, some cutscenes were REALLY beautiful, also the Ikaruga fight at the end. I honestly don't understand why people got so angry at that, the last boss fight always changes the gameplay and the scene of Super Sonic flying towards The End as a shooting start in the middle of the dark void of space was totally beautiful!
I totally disagree when people say that this is "peak-mid" or bs like that, you can totally criticize the game, but it's a great game nonetheless.
So, in general I agree with you hahaha
I never said it before but the idea of a reverse retrospective is incredibly unique & I applaud the challenge. It makes me want to C more ppl try it. I'll also say as a halo fan it's funny u mentioned that cus as someone who played both on release day the I had an interestin experience in relatin the 2. I relate them to each-other more beyond jus this as a fan of both but I can only mention this for rn. I have huge problems wit the game & it's incredibly rough but it is fun & I do like it on the whole & I do think it's "good" especially wit the updates.
WAY BEYOND OVER HAPPIEST ,WAY BEYOND OVER MOST OVER LOVELY, AND WAY BEYOND OVER MOST OVER HEAVENLY NEW YEAR OF "2023": INFINITE MOVIES.
Nice review! Yeah, I started seeing a lot of backlash for this game recently. And it made me wonder, especially with the discussions about what Sonic should be, and then I realised strangely that this game is actually everything I don't expect from an open world (zone!) sonic game, even though I kinda enjoyed it. For one, there seems to be an absence of physics, all platforms are suspended above, with very little interaction with the terrain, there is an abundance of dash panels everywhere, the graphics are super realistic, and the enemies are scary looking titans. Not that it makes it bad or anything, i just find it interesting how the definition of a sonic game has changed over time. Especially when I compare it to Speed Simulator on Roblox, or even the fanmade Sonic Utopia. You realise that there is more automation and little use of momentum based level design. I also hear people say this game is empty and unfocused with not much to do, which I disagree with. What stuff do you think the sequel should focus on or possibly improve upon?
I think if they can improve the controls and fix some bugs that would be really good. Maybe make the game a bit less repetitive and not overdo it with the 2D sections. Like the base is all there to build off of (similar to how TOTK improved on BOTW). Just polish it up and don't rush and don't get too crazy. Oh and of course improved (including controls) and original cyberspace stages would be greatly appreciated.
@NintenDeen That's fair, this game actually was quite buggy upon release. In fact, considering all those problems, I'm honestly surprised it actually got such a positive reception. Although it definitely is a step up from Forces. But overall I would still say it is good. Although I did prefer BOTW overall to TOTK, but I'm sure they will keep the formula and improve upon it, considering how positive the reception was
Also, I have some other questions on some of your other reviews, do you mind answering them please?
I'm not sure if u played last year's new Sonic game Sonic Dream Team on Apple Arcade but that one was great too. It was also nice to play as Sonic's friends again long after 06. At least some of the haters of Sonic's friends would give them another chance. As I said other games besides Sonic like Mario and Donkey Kong let's u play as other characters and not just the main ones.
I haven't played Dream Team yet, I'm holding out for a console release lol. But it's taking longer than I expected.
I don't think you made it clear why it would be better to create the retrospective in reverse
Hm, I should have probably went into it a bit more. Basically I think some (not all) games in the series suffer because they're compared to the previous titles.
A simple example would be Sonic Forces' use of Green Hill. When Generations used it I don't believe there had been a 3D Green Hill Zone since SA2. And even then, in SA2 it was just a completion reward. So it was generally well received in Generations, but by the time Forces came out we were sick of it.
Obviously there's more nuance involved when it comes to the mechanics and gameplay, but I do think at times the harsh criticisms due to stuff life this take an average game and force it to be perceived as trash.