The hashtag #DelaySonicFrontiers has been trending after the game’s first gameplay reveal.
First unveiled late last year, fans have been desperate to see Sonic Frontiers’ gameplay ever since. Two videos have now been released exclusively to IGN, showcasing the game’s open world design and its combat.
But so far fans are unhappy with the direction of the game and – just as with Sonic’s redesign for the film series – are demanding a delay.
The first video shows the traversal and open world, with Sonic sprinting across a lush island, climbing monoliths, and solving puzzles. The second video focuses on combat as Sonic spins jumps and slays robotic enemies in engaging animations.
The wide open areas certainly allow Sonic to pick up some speed as he races across the water and up walls, but it feels a little strange to see a blue elephant running around such a realistic world – although that’s exactly what the movies managed. does. The world also seems a little empty, at least in this piece of footage.
Yet the response from fans online has been overwhelming as many demand a delay.
The most common concerns include harsh animations, lack of speed, and a world that doesn’t feel like Sonic without hills, loops, and ramps.
Several comments also claim that the game resembles an unrealistic fan-made tech demo.
A comment on the combat video read, “You can’t believe me this isn’t a glorified tech demo. It’s too benign.”
“My biggest fascination with this showcase is easily the animations,” reads another. “Sonic just looks too harsh and unnatural. This is especially evident when he runs around enemies, he simply looks forward without thinking as if nothing is happening. Simultaneous and interactive look will surely add more charm to the game.”
On Twitter, sentiment is overwhelmingly negative.
It looks like ASS.
Rigid and crappy as crap. This is the boom level of unfinished.
it’s embarrassing. Sonic Team How incompetent is this?
Why did they feel like it was ready to pretend? It looks like a tech demo or a fan game.
Please #DelaySonicFrontiers https://t.co/LIOVaBHUI5
— Malone Malone (@cell_0801) 3 June 2022
#DelaySonicFrontiers If anyone thinks that delaying the game another 5 years is going to fix it, you are in for a rude awakening.
Here is the hashtag you should be using: #ReplaceSonicTeam
You’re expecting a dog to learn to drive a truck and think it just needs more time.
— Nico CW (@NicoCVV) 2 June 2022
Fans want to enjoy an increase in great game offerings, just as you enjoyed increased business offers and sales.
It was a fan that led to the redesign of the film that helped you achieve that success.
It’s time to raise our bar. Not SEGA’s.#DelaySonicFrontiers #sonic frontiers pic.twitter.com/w40Fze1gNQ
— Evan (@mardiculus) 4 June 2022
Hungama is a testament to the Sonic fanbase’s obsession—and its prowess—with disappointing 3D Sonic games, along with the film’s character redesigns. Many fans were hoping that Sonic Frontiers would be the next generation of Sonic experience.
However, Svend Joseli, founder of fan site Sonic Stadium and director of global publishing at IGN, believes the game will not be delayed.
“#DelaySonicFrontiers won’t work because, for me, the main concern is about its overall concept and gameplay approach; delaying killing bugs and adding content will not be a solution,” he wrote on Twitter.
In the thread, he still admits “It’s just not the Sonic game I was hoping for in 2022.”
#sonic frontiers It appears to want to be a hyper-realistic, combat-focused Sonic game that draws from the movies… which relies on Sonic’s athleticism rather than physics/motion based play. And that’s okay if that’s the goal. It’s not just the Sonic game I was hoping for in 2022.
— svend (@Dreadknux) 4 June 2022
You can watch both gameplay videos for yourself below. The game is still slated for release later this year on all consoles and PC.
