One Way Dream – Sonic Frontiers Sequel In Development (Rumor)

SEGA and Sonic Team released Sonic Frontiers across all major platforms in 2022. The game explored many new ventures, establishing a whole new formula and direction for the franchise. The game’s director publicly stated as such after the game’s successful launch but gave no confirmation a direct sequel would happen.

According to trusted SEGA insiders, a sequel is in development for Sonic Frontiers.

Boost Your Spirit – Sonic Frontiers Sequel in Development

Initially reported on by Sonic Paradise and corroborated by Midori and AllSharkQueen, Sonic Frontiers is getting a sequel. While another mainline 3D Sonic release is expected, one building on the foundation from Frontiers wasn’t assured.

Many fans like myself expected SEGA to consistently build upon the ‘Boost’ formula, starting with Sonic Unleashed. Later games like Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations did accomplish this, but that gameplay style was dropped with Sonic Lost World and the Western-developed Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric.

The question to be asked is will this sequel be called Sonic Frontiers 2 or not.

A New Adventure, So to Speak – Importance of the Name

While the name of this Sonic Frontiers sequel is not a big deal when all is said and done, the project seemingly internally being called this is important.

The last time a 3D Sonic title was a direct sequel to the prior release, was the critically beloved Sonic Adventure 2. That game took the formula Sonic Adventure established and, pun intended, ran with it. A sequel to Frontiers could do so much in building on the great foundation it created.

Another fact worth noting, Sonic Frontiers was called Sonic Rangers for the longest time internally. So the name could change upon official reveal.

Dream on the Horizon – Sequel Potential

As someone who has gone to great lengths on multiple facets of Sonic Frontiers, a proper sequel excites me. On a visual front, a game that fully leverages current-generation consoles would be a massive win.

One core reason Frontiers had visual issues was due to the Nintendo Switch version. Not having that as the ‘baseline’, would do so much for this sequel. You can have open zones with far more interactive elements while getting rid of issues like the pop-in that I and many other reviewers pointed out.

Regarding the visuals themselves, leaning even harder on the more realistic nature or the more Genesis-era look would be fantastic. Sonic is no stranger to various art styles so I trust Sonic Team, with a larger budget to work with, will deliver.

The sequel’s core gameplay is going to be the major question mark. Will you give the combat system more depth? Continue the bombastic Super Sonic fights? And will Sonic’s Spin Dash, an ability added post-launch, be properly implemented into the launch experience?

Lastly, the playable cast likely will be larger with a Sonic Frontiers sequel. Between the Final Horizon’s Update and the upcoming Sonic X Shadow: Generations release, Sonic Team will have four additional playable characters to work with. And that’s not considering including other fan favorites like Silver the Hedgehog or Blaze the Cat into the fold.

Always to New Horizons – Closing Thoughts

Sonic Frontiers is a game that has done so much for me personally. It’s a title that fully restored my faith in the franchise, its music score had a profound impact, and in some ways, got me to writing for Lords of Gaming. A review of the game is what got me to join my fellow Scribes and Editors.

Needless to say, hearing some of the game’s amazing scores live at a show helped me get out of my shell too.

Sonic is a very important franchise to me, regardless of the backlash (justified or otherwise) it gets. And with SEGA and Sonic Team knowing what to do for the franchise moving forward, I can’t wait to see what this Frontiers sequel looks like.

Stay tuned for updates on this rumor and other Sonic-related news on Lords of Gaming!