IGN have published two exclusive first look videos at gameplay and combat in Sonic Frontiers - an in development open world iteration of the popular 2D and 3D platform games.

Sonic the Hedgehog isn't a franchise we immediately associate with sci-fi but it fits more than less.

These videos?

Bringing platform gameplay into a fully realised 3D open world is an intriguing idea and you can clearly see they've accomplished this, but does it work?

Is it fun?

Platform games are all about leading players along a single, optimal path.

At least nominally open world games are at the opposite end of this spectrum with players choosing their own path.

Such freedom is demonstrated in these videos but collecting all of the shinies requires running predetermined paths.

This game looks like it's in the midst of a critical identity crisis - trying to simultaneously be both on and off the rails.

And the combat looks perhaps true to the character of Sonic but bizarre nonetheless.

Sonic Frontiers is scheduled to release late this year on PC, Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch.

[ Main Image: Sonic Frontiers - Premiere Gameplay. Credit: IGN via YouTube. ]

References

IGN (June 4, 2022). Sonic Frontiers: Combat Gameplay | IGN First. YouTube.

IGN (June 2, 2022). Sonic Frontiers: World Premiere Gameplay | IGN First. YouTube.

Sega. Sonic Frontiers - Official Website. (viewed June 4, 2022)

Wikipedia. Sonic Frontiers. (viewed June 4, 2022)