The story of Sonic Frontiers is being created in part by Ian Flynn, who also worked on the IDW Sonic comics. Flynn has said he is working based on the groundwork of the story set by Sonic Team, adding things like the dialogue and character interactions. That character focus is something he’s likely familiar with from his work on the comics, and is part of why this new game may end up more tonally mature than past titles. The IDW Sonic comics also feature higher-stake stories than many of the games. It’s that character-driven and weightier approach that might mean this new era of Sonic could be the right time for a new solo game for Shadow.
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The Last Shadow the Hedgehog Game Missed Its Mark
Long-time fans are likely aware that Shadow has had his own game before, 2005’s Shadow the Hedgehog. While it was a commercial success, the game remains one of the worst received of any Sonic title and a standalone game for the character hasn’t been revisited since. Shadow the Hedgehog was criticized for its unclear tone in both its story and gameplay. But trying to give Shadow a more serious interpretation wasn’t inherently a bad move, rather it wasn’t done in any way that made the game more meaningful.
The new maturity of the story effectively boiled down to Shadow being inexplicably violent at confusing times and repeating PG-appropriate curse words. Meanwhile, it still followed the simplistic “good-guys fight bad-guys” of before. Even his established personality is mostly undone by the weak attempts to make his character more serious. It ended up being a bit too “edgy” in all the wrong ways. This muddled feeling translated to gameplay too. Not only did it suffer from the weaker parts of other 3D Sonic games of the time, like finicky controls and poor level design, but additions like guns and a heavier focus on combat hurt pacing and momentum even more.
Sonic Frontiers Could Establish the Tone for a New Shadow Game
The direction being taken by Sonic Frontiers could give Sega a second chance at a new Shadow the Hedgehog game. It may end up showing how a Sonic game can be more tonally serious, without overdoing that effort so much it becomes nonsensical. Based on Flynn’s involvement and statements from Sonic Team, the latest game will have more character-focused narratives, which could rectify some of the mistakes from the 2005 portrayal of Shadow.
For example, iconic antagonist Doctor Eggman will feature, but his character will have a more complex personality, differing from his appearances as a cartoonish villain. That nuance would be well suited to explore Shadow’s shrouded past; being created as a weapon, appearing first as a villain, and later switching sides. It’s these elements 2005’s Shadow the Hedgehog attempted and failed to explore. Sonic Frontiers giving personal stories more care could mean Shadow’s story is approached in a more meaningful way were he to get his own game.
The gameplay of Sonic Frontiers could also lend well to a solo game for Shadow. The open world may enable things like smaller lore via collectibles, as games of that format tend to do. This could reveal deeper stories of Shadow’s mysterious history. Combat also seems to take a more emphasized role again but in a different way to Shadow the Hedgehog. It could be a good way to show Shadow’s more antihero-like side without straying too far from his unique abilities or making him too “edgy”, unlike the 2005 game. What’s more, with Shadow appearing in the next Sonic the Hedgehog movie, it might just be the perfect timing for a new adventure for him.
Sonic Frontiers launches November 8 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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