Of course, Sonic the Hedgehog is in a different place than it used to be. Frontiers still makes use of the Boost formula, and it’s taking another look at integrating combat mechanics. Now, Sonic can both speed across the landscape and make use of a strange power to blast foes with various physical and energy attacks. Another element that shows just how far the hedgehog’s franchise has gone is the returning cast of Sonic’s friends. With an imprisoned Amy Rose featured in the Gamescom 2022 trailer, Sonic Frontiers has a chance to bring a small portion of Sonic’s extended roster back into the action.
RELATED: Sonic Frontiers Is Under a Lot of Pressure
Rescuing Sonic’s Friends Could Be Another Objective
It appears that Sonic is going to be very busy throughout Sonic Frontiers’ longer than average campaign. On top of rescuing the Starfall Islands’ Korok-like Koco inhabitants and fighting world bosses to unlock linear levels that will lead to Chaos Emeralds, Sonic will also apparently be rescuing his friends. Amy is shown in a futuristic cage that makes her look like a hologram. Statements in the most recent Sonic Frontiers press release hint at more familiar faces, and a couple are already known.
Sonic Frontiers has been the subject of many rumors and leaks over the past couple years, and it was there that fans got their first hint at Sonic’s friends appearing. Amy may be serving as the main mission control for this entry, with Tails also coming in at some point. Stranger still is the Sonic Origins leak for Big the Cat, who will apparently be heading up a new fishing minigame. Said minigame was explicitly referenced by the new press release, so it seems like fans can look forward to at least three of Sonic’s old allies joining him on his latest adventure.
The Sonic Cast Could Play Many Roles
For a game as large as Sonic Frontiers promises to be, there’s no reason to just stop there. These three characters will likely be found early on to give Sonic access to their various functions. The rest may not be so integral to events, but Sonic could still come across many old allies and enemies in cages. It could play out a lot like Sonic Generations, in which one of Sonic’s friends is unfrozen whenever both Acts of a Zone are beaten. How Sonic rescues his friends in Frontiers is not yet known, but it could just involve completing some of the many objectives the game offers.
Looking back at Sonic Generations reveals the true potential of bringing back the old Sonic cast. In that game, side missions involving Sonic’s friends would gradually unlock, making use of some unique property everyone has to remix part of a level. The same could be done with the environmental puzzles spread across Sonic Frontiers’ islands. Much like how releasing Big would unlock a fishing minigame, different characters would provide their talents in other circumstances. Knuckles could dig in certain places, and the Chaotix members could prompt a hunt for hidden objects in the vicinity. Even though some fans would prefer a focus on Sonic’s base gameplay and an uncluttered story, not adding some of his friends to Sonic Frontiers would pass up giving the game a lot more character.
Sonic Frontiers will be released on November 8, 2022, for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
MORE: 13 Sonic The Hedgehog Characters You Forgot Existed
