In a new gameplay trailer, fans got a look at new Sonic Frontiers gameplay, including a look at what might be a big problem for the game. Viwers did get a look at some promising looking aspects, like fun platforming and Sonic Frontiers' high-energy combat styles. What wasn't really shown, though, was Sonic the Hedgehog's signature speed.
Sonic Frontiers, after being revealed at last year's Game Awards with a teaser trailer, has been met with mixed reactions. Some are optimistic that Frontiers can begin a new chapter for the franchise and bring the Sonic The Hedgehog series back from its recent missteps. On the other hand, it may be taking the wrong ideas from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, making an open-world Sonic game just to emulate Breath of the Wild, and not with any real gameplay purpose.
This can be seen by the biggest problem shown in the latest gameplay trailer for Sonic Frontiers: the lack of traversal options. Sonic quickly scales towers, and gains impressive speed across the series' signature grind rails. But, when running across the open world, Sonic seems to be moving much slower, and with little to no variety in his movement. In Sonic the Hedgehog's best games, fun movement is crucial. Even if the game offers fun speed-based platforming challenges at tower-like sections across the game's world, it won't matter much if getting to those challenges is a slog.
Sonic Froniters Needs More Fun Open-World Movement
While platforming sections look fun, Sonic running through the open world looks a bit slow and uninteresting. Since the open world will likely be more of the game than platforming, if that traversal isn't fun, it might drive players away. Unfortunately, if the open-world movement looks bland now, it's hard to imagine that it may improve, especially with Sonic Frontiers possibly releasing as soon as November.
That being said, it's possible the trailer simply wasn't showing all of Sonic's movement options. A notable missing move was Sonic's signature spin dash. While this maneuver is not included in many 3D games, it would be a fantastic way to give Sonic more movement options and ways to gain momentum in the new expansive open world. The trailer can be viewed below:
Sonic Frontiers' first gameplay trailer showed that the game still has some work to do. A lack of speed and fun movement options would hurt any Sonic game, but it would hurt even more in an open-world Sonic game. Hopefully, some elements that simply haven't been shown, and Sonic's first open-world outing can still have more speed and movement options.