:Sonic Frontiers

File:Sonic Frontiers gameplay screenshot.png engages in combat with robots in the open world, using the new Cyloop ability.]]

Sonic Frontiers is a 3D platformer and action-adventure game. As Sonic, the player explores the Starfall Islands (which consist of various biomes, including flowery fields, forests, ancient ruins, and deserts) to collect the Chaos Emeralds and investigate the islands' relationship to them.{{cite web |last1=Saltzman |first1=Mitchell |date=June 7, 2022 |title=Sonic Frontiers: The First Hands-On Preview |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-preview |access-date=June 7, 2022 |website=IGN |archive-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220617104709/https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-preview |url-status=live }} Sonic retains his abilities from previous Sonic the Hedgehog games: he runs at high speeds, collects rings, grinds on rails,{{cite web |last1=Wales |first1=Matt |title=Sonic Frontiers gets first gameplay teaser trailer |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/sonic-frontiers-gets-first-gameplay-teaser-trailer |website=Eurogamer |access-date=May 31, 2022 |date=May 31, 2022 |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006134207/https://www.eurogamer.net/sonic-frontiers-gets-first-gameplay-teaser-trailer |url-status=live }} and homes in on enemies to attack. The player can double jump, sidestep, drop dash, and boost if Sonic has enough energy.{{cite web |last1=Switzer |first1=Eric |date=June 13, 2022 |title=Sonic Frontiers Preview: Folks, Our Blue Boy Is Back |url=https://www.thegamer.com/sonic-frontiers-preview-summer-game-fest/ |access-date=June 13, 2022 |website=TheGamer |archive-date=October 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008115918/https://www.thegamer.com/sonic-frontiers-preview-summer-game-fest/ |url-status=live }} New abilities include combat attacks, running alongside walls, and using the Cyloop to create a circle of light around objects and interact with them.{{cite web |last1=Diaz |first1=Ana |title=Sonic Frontiers gameplay shows a strangely empty open world |url=https://www.polygon.com/23150275/sonic-frontiers-sega-new-gameplay-footage-open-world |website=Polygon |access-date=June 2, 2022 |date=June 1, 2022 |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006191028/https://www.polygon.com/23150275/sonic-frontiers-sega-new-gameplay-footage-open-world |url-status=live }} The Cyloop can perform different tasks by drawing certain shapes — for example, drawing an infinity symbol or a number 8 will allow Sonic to boost indefinitely for a short time.{{Cite web |last=Hawkins |first=Thomas |date=2022-11-13 |title=Sonic Frontiers: How to Get and Use Infinite Boost |url=https://gamerant.com/sonic-frontiers-how-get-use-infinite-boost/ |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=Game Rant |language=en-US |archive-date=December 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220180442/https://gamerant.com/sonic-frontiers-how-get-use-infinite-boost/ |url-status=live }} Sonic also gains the ability to temporarily boost indefinitely upon collecting the maximum number of rings.{{cite web |title=Sonic Frontiers: Speed Strats - Open Zones |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-SqayTnIlI&t=158s |access-date=21 December 2022 |website=YouTube | date=November 10, 2022 |publisher=Sonic the Hedgehog |language=en |archive-date=December 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222001853/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-SqayTnIlI&t=158s |url-status=live }} The player can customize the controls and adjust the game's difficulty along with Sonic's speed, turning, acceleration, and sensitivity, among other things. As they progress, they can also upgrade Sonic's speed, attack, defense, ring capacity, and boost gauge.

The Starfall Islands act as the series's first open world,{{cite web |last1=Fahey |first1=Mike |title=Sega Reveals Sonic Frontiers, The First Open-World Sonic Game |url=https://kotaku.com/sega-reveals-sonic-frontiers-the-first-open-world-soni-1848188627 |website=Kotaku |access-date=December 9, 2021 |date=December 9, 2021 |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210205231/https://kotaku.com/sega-reveals-sonic-frontiers-the-first-open-world-soni-1848188627 |url-status=live }} which writers compared to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:{{cite web |last1=Gartenberg |first1=Chaim |title=Sonic Frontiers teases an 'open-zone' redemption for the franchise's 3D legacy |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/9/22826807/sonic-frontiers-game-awards-2021-trailer-gameplay-reveal |website=The Verge |access-date=December 9, 2021 |date=December 9, 2021 |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210145401/https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/9/22826807/sonic-frontiers-game-awards-2021-trailer-gameplay-reveal |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Maher |first1=Cian |title=Sonic Frontiers looks like Sonic meets Breath of the Wild |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2021/12/sonic-frontiers-breath-of-the-wild |website=For The Win |publisher=USA Today |access-date=December 9, 2021 |date=December 9, 2021 |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210142112/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2021/12/sonic-frontiers-breath-of-the-wild |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Epps |first1=DeAngelo |title=Sonic Frontiers is basically Breath of the Wild with hedgehogs |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/sonic-frontiers-reveal/ |website=Digital Trends |access-date=December 9, 2021 |date=December 9, 2021 |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210084224/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/sonic-frontiers-reveal/ |url-status=live }}}} The world retains traditional Sonic elements, such as springs, boost pads, and grind rails.{{cite magazine |last1=LeBlanc |first1=Wesley |date=June 1, 2022 |title=You Can Watch 7 Minutes Of Sonic Frontiers Open-World Gameplay Right Now |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/06/01/you-can-watch-7-minutes-of-sonic-frontiers-open-world-gameplay-right-now |url-status=live |magazine=Game Informer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005174042/https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/06/01/you-can-watch-7-minutes-of-sonic-frontiers-open-world-gameplay-right-now |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |access-date=June 2, 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Wales |first1=Matt |title=Here's seven more minutes of Sonic Frontiers' open-world gameplay |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/heres-seven-more-minutes-of-sonic-frontiers-open-world-gameplay |website=Eurogamer |access-date=June 2, 2022 |date=June 1, 2022 |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005193505/https://www.eurogamer.net/heres-seven-more-minutes-of-sonic-frontiers-open-world-gameplay |url-status=live }} The player explores the islands as they solve puzzles, such as orienting statues and speedrunning, to reveal parts of the map and obtain items.{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Ian |title=Sonic Frontiers Looks Like A Bland Unreal Engine Tech Demo |url=https://kotaku.com/sonic-frontiers-gameplay-sega-unreal-engine-breath-of-t-1849002927 |website=Kotaku |access-date=June 2, 2022 |date=June 1, 2022 |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006134204/https://kotaku.com/sonic-frontiers-gameplay-sega-unreal-engine-breath-of-t-1849002927 |url-status=live }} One of Sonic's objectives is to rescue three of his friends — Miles "Tails" Prower, Amy Rose, and Knuckles the Echidna — who are trapped in Cyber Space. Tails and Amy initially accompany Sonic in his investigation, while Knuckles was transported there earlier from the ruins above Angel Island.{{Cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gjszHTDjzo |title=Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence (Credits) |date=2022-11-01 |last=Flynn |first=Ian |type=Animation |language=English |publisher=SEGA (via Sonic the Hedgehog official YouTube channel) |time=5:40 |quote="Written by Ian Flynn" |access-date=November 13, 2022 |archive-date=November 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113171404/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gjszHTDjzo |url-status=live }} This is accomplished by obtaining various collectibles found in the open world. Collectibles include Kocos, which upgrade Sonic's speed and ring capacity; New Kocos, which are larger and upgrade Sonic's boost gauge; Red Seeds of Power and Blue Seeds of Defense, which upgrade Sonic's attack strength and damage reduction, respectively; Sound Memories, which allow new songs to be added to the Jukebox; and Memory Tokens, which are used to trigger cutscenes and conversations with Sonic's friends when they receive them. These either progress the story's plot (occasionally via minigames) or expand their relationships with Sonic by requesting the player to complete side quests. Sonic's friends project themselves as holograms in the real world while trapped, allowing them to interact with and advise Sonic. Action Chain Challenges, which also appear in the open zone, require the player to complete actions and increase their score. Getting an S-rank on all of them allows the player to utilize Sonic's Spin Dash.{{Cite web |last=Kazemi |first=Masoud |date=2023-06-24 |title=How To Spin Dash in Sonic Frontiers |url=https://thenerdstash.com/how-to-spin-dash-in-sonic-frontiers/ |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=The Nerd Stash |language=en-US}}

The player battles robots throughout the islands, all in various forms;{{cite web |last1=Tailby |first1=Stephen |title=Sonic Frontiers Gameplay Teaser Released Ahead of IGN First Coverage |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2022/05/sonic-frontiers-gameplay-teaser-released-ahead-of-ign-first-coverage |website=Push Square |access-date=May 31, 2022 |date=May 31, 2022 |archive-date=October 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004000058/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2022/05/sonic-frontiers-gameplay-teaser-released-ahead-of-ign-first-coverage |url-status=live }} Sonic can dodge and parry attacks and use the Cyloop to make enemies easier to strike. Defeating enemies grants the player experience points that allow the player to purchase additional moves and abilities in combat and the open world. Alongside regular, small enemies, the player battles large "Guardian" bosses. Defeating a Guardian rewards the player with portal gears that, when placed in a portal, allow them to enter Cyber Space.{{cite magazine |last1=Stewart |first1=Marcus |title=Sonic Frontiers' Cyber Space Dimension Features Traditional Platforming Stages |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/06/28/sonic-frontiers-cyber-space-dimension-features-traditional-platforming-stages |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=June 28, 2022 |date=June 28, 2022 |archive-date=October 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004000101/https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/06/28/sonic-frontiers-cyber-space-dimension-features-traditional-platforming-stages |url-status=live }}

Each of the 30 Cyber Space levels, which shift between third-person and side-scrolling perspectives,{{cite web |last1=Rougeau |first1=Mike |title=Sega's open-world Sonic Frontiers has traditional Sonic levels, too |url=https://www.polygon.com/23186531/sonic-frontiers-cyberspace-sega-sonic-the-hedgehog |website=Polygon |access-date=June 29, 2022 |date=June 28, 2022 |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130222421/https://www.polygon.com/23186531/sonic-frontiers-cyberspace-sega-sonic-the-hedgehog |url-status=live }} contains three optional objectives, including time attack, collecting rings, and collecting five red rings; completing each objective rewards players with a key required to collect a Chaos Emerald. Big the Cat makes an appearance as a host for a fishing minigame, which is included in set areas of the maps, where Sonic can exchange purple coins found in the overworld to catch fish and other objects that net him "fishing tokens" based on catch quality. The tokens can then be redeemed for items and collectibles.{{cite magazine|title=How Sonic Frontiers' Open Zone And Cyber Space Evolve The Franchise|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/07/11/how-sonic-frontiers-open-zone-and-cyber-space-evolve-the-franchise|last=Shea|first=Brian|magazine=Game Informer|date=July 11, 2022|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220712134501/https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/07/11/how-sonic-frontiers-open-zone-and-cyber-space-evolve-the-franchise|url-status=live}} Collecting all seven Chaos Emeralds allows the player to transform into Super Sonic, which is required to battle and defeat the game's major bosses, the Titans.{{cite web |last1=Reynolds |first1=Ollie |title=Super Sonic Will Apparently Be Mandatory For Some Bosses In Sonic Frontiers |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/09/super-sonic-will-apparently-be-mandatory-for-some-bosses-in-sonic-frontiers |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=September 22, 2022 |date=September 18, 2022 |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922045146/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/09/super-sonic-will-apparently-be-mandatory-for-some-bosses-in-sonic-frontiers |url-status=live }} Completing every island-mapping challenge and side story on each island and maxing out Sonic's stats (except for boost), or having the game's difficulty set to Hard or Extreme prior to battling Supreme, reveals a "secret" final boss fight with The End and a post-credits scene.

The game does not feature postgame content, as it resets the player's save file to just before obtaining the final Chaos Emerald, but defeating the End unlocks a boss rush mode called Battle Rush, a Cyber Space Challenge mode, and an Arcade Mode for Cyber Space stages. It also unlocks New Game +, which resets the player's save file but carries over a player's stats (except for when played on Extreme difficulty), essentially allowing the story to be replayed.

The "Final Horizon" update adds "Another Story", which adds Tails, Knuckles, and Amy as playable characters, each with their own skill sets. It also includes a new "true" final boss, a revamped version of the End, allowing Super Sonic to access cyber energy powers, such as Perfect Parry, but save slots from "Another Story" are separate from save slots from the main game. Completing this mode unlocks a "true ending" that expands upon the existing story.

{{further|List of Sonic the Hedgehog characters}}

Doctor Eggman travels to the abandoned Starfall Islands to steal the technological secrets created by the Ancients, creatures that later evolved into to the Chao species.{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=Luca |date=2022-12-08 |title=Sonic Frontiers: 13 Things Only Fans Of The Franchise Noticed |url=https://www.thegamer.com/sonic-frontiers-series-easter-eggs-references-lore/ |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116200343/https://www.thegamer.com/sonic-frontiers-series-easter-eggs-references-lore/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web | title=Sonic World Story | work=Sonic Channel | publisher=SEGA | url=https://sonic.sega.jp/sonic.sega.jp/SonicChannel/character/worldstory/ | quote=古代人がカオスエメラルドを持って地球に避難する。ミスティックルーインと呼ばれる地に逃げ延びたその末裔の少数は、マスターエメラルドの神殿を建立。何十万年という時間の経過により、いつしか古代人はチャオとなる。 | trans-quote=The Ancients take refuge on Earth with the Chaos Emeralds. A small number of their descendants escape to a place called Mystic Ruins and build a temple to the Master Emerald. Over the course of hundreds of thousands of years, the Ancients become the Chao. | language=ja | access-date=March 20, 2025}} When he uploads his artificial intelligence unit, Sage, into a portal, several robotic defense units are summoned. Detecting a threat signature, Sage ceases hijacking the portal and initiates a protection protocol, dragging Eggman into an artificial dimension called Cyber Space.

Sonic, Tails and Amy investigate activity that has drawn the Chaos Emeralds to the islands, but their plane is sucked into a wormhole to Cyber Space. Sonic escapes to the islands in the real world, where a disembodied voice tasks him with finding the emeralds and destroying the island's robotic Titans to remove the boundary between the real and digital worlds. Believing this will save his friends – including Knuckles, who was transported there while exploring the ruins above Angel Island{{efn|As depicted in Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence}} – Sonic releases their digital forms from cages created by Sage, who works to free Eggman from Cyber Space; destroying the cages causes Sonic's body to become increasingly corrupted. Sage cautions Sonic to leave, influencing the islands' mechanical guardians and Titans to attack him, but grows to sympathize with him while observing his interactions with his friends. Meanwhile, she and Eggman form a mutual familial bond.

Through visions of the local Koco, Sonic and his friends learn the history of the Ancients, who are revealed to be an extraterrestrial race whose planet was destroyed by "The End", an all-powerful entity. The Ancients used the Chaos Emeralds to escape and were drawn to the Master Emerald on Earth, but the End followed and started to wipe out their new civilization. The Titans were built to seal the End within Cyber Space, with the Ancients' essences remaining within the Koco, which become inert once Sonic and his friends help them fulfill their final desires in life.

After destroying three of the Titans and disabling the towers that maintain the spatial boundary, Sonic succumbs to his corruption and is trapped between dimensions. Released along with his friends and Eggman, Sonic's guide reveals itself to be the End, which attacks Earth using the last Titan, Supreme. Sonic's friends purge the corruption from him by sacrificing their physical forms, while Sage and Eggman help him collect the scattered Chaos Emeralds, allowing him to defeat Supreme. When the End flees into space, Sage uses Supreme to assist Sonic against the End's true form, sacrificing herself to destroy it. Sonic's friends are restored and leave the islands with him, now wishing to make a difference in their lives after their new experience. Meanwhile, Eggman uses the island's technology to revive Sage.{{efn|This is depicted in a post-credits scene that plays when the player has fully mapped each island in Easy or Normal Mode, or has battled the End in Hard or Extreme Mode.}}

"Another Story" is an alternate climax featured in the game's "Final Horizon" update. Following his friends' sacrifice, Sonic accepts a proposal from Sage to restore them along with his cyber corruption, which he may convert into greater power to use against the End. Returning to their holographic forms, Sonic's friends retrieve the Chaos Emeralds while he undergoes trials overseen by the souls of the Titans' pilots and the Ancients' leader, Master King. After Sonic receives the Ancients' blessings and is cured of his corruption, Master King grants him temporary control over the cyber energy, which Sonic combines with his super form to destroy Supreme and the End. Afterwards, Sonic reunites with his newly freed friends, while Eggman and Sage happily return home as a family.

{{Quote box

| quote = After completing Sonic Forces, we were brainstorming on what to do next. We realized there's little room for evolution with a traditional 3D Sonic game. We'd only be able to make something that fans have seen before. That's why, at the very start, we discussed as a team how to change this linear style of gameplay.

| source = Creative Officer Takashi Iizuka during an interview with IGN{{cite web |last1=Mitchell |first1=Saltzman |title=How Sonic Frontiers Came to Be an 'Open-Zone' Game {{!}} IGN First |url=https://sea.ign.com/sonic-the-hedgehog-sonic-team-project/186606/interview/how-sonic-frontiers-came-to-be-an-open-zone-game-ign-first |website=IGN Southeast Asia |access-date=30 December 2022 |language=en-sg |date=10 June 2022 |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116200345/https://sea.ign.com/sonic-the-hedgehog-sonic-team-project/186606/interview/how-sonic-frontiers-came-to-be-an-open-zone-game-ign-first |url-status=live }}

| width = 30%

}}

Following the release of Sonic Forces (2017), Sonic Team began exploring approaches for its next Sonic the Hedgehog game. In addition to celebrating the series' upcoming 30th anniversary, the developers sought to define what a modern Sonic game should be and solidify the series' direction for the next decade.{{cite magazine |last1=Shea |first1=Brian |title=Sonic Team Head Talks Sonic Origins, Next Mainline Game, And 30th Anniversary |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/interview/2021/06/13/sonic-team-head-talks-sonic-origins-next-mainline-game-and-30th-anniversary |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=June 14, 2021 |date=June 13, 2021 |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102224205/https://www.gameinformer.com/interview/2021/06/13/sonic-team-head-talks-sonic-origins-next-mainline-game-and-30th-anniversary |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-iizuka-san-interview|title=How Sonic Frontiers Came to Be an 'Open-Zone' Game - IGN First|last=Saltzman|first=Michael|website=IGN|date=June 10, 2022|accessdate=June 10, 2022|archive-date=July 5, 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220705193133/https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-iizuka-san-interview|url-status=live}} Iizuka felt the series needed to take an innovative direction that would lay the foundation for future games, similar to how Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) and Sonic Adventure (1998) set templates used by later games. Forces received criticism for its short length and level design, so its director, Morio Kishimoto, concluded that the team's method of designing levels originating from Sonic Unleashed (2008) would no longer satisfy fans. Sonic Team ultimately determined that the series' traditional linear design contained "little room for evolution" and felt it could not progress in this direction.{{cite web |last1=Totilo |first1=Stephen |title=New Sonic the Hedgehog game has had a rough debut |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/06/14/sonic-frontiers-takashi-iizuka-interview |website=Axios |access-date=June 15, 2022 |date=June 15, 2022 |archive-date=July 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220705193132/https://www.axios.com/2022/06/14/sonic-frontiers-takashi-iizuka-interview |url-status=live }} In particular, Takashi Iizuka, the head of the development team and the producer of the Sonic series, felt 3D Sonic games were not giving players enough freedom and constrained them to linear paths.

The idea to make an open-world Sonic game came from Kishimoto, who enjoyed watching the evolution of the platform genre's world map concept since it was popularized by Super Mario Bros. 3 in 1988. Some Sonic games, such as Sonic Adventure, featured world maps, but Kishimoto felt his idea evolved the concept by combining it with the gameplay. He thought it would allow for more freedom and diverse gameplay.{{cite web |last1=Ramée |first1=Jordan |last2=Klein |first2=David |last3=Morris |first3=Chris |date=June 13, 2022 |title=How Sonic Frontiers Brings Sonic Into An Open World - Developer Interview I Summer Game Fest 2022 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/videos/how-sonic-frontiers-brings-sonic-into-an-open-world-developer-interview-summer-game-fest-2022/2300-6458618/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226004634/https://www.gamespot.com/videos/how-sonic-frontiers-brings-sonic-into-an-open-world-developer-interview-summer-game-fest-2022/2300-6458618/ |archive-date=26 December 2022 |access-date=June 13, 2022 |website=GameSpot}}

Kishimoto returned to direct Frontiers,{{cite web |last1=Watts |first1=Steve |title=Sonic Frontiers Is An Open-World Game Coming In 2022, First Screenshot Has BOTW Vibes |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-is-an-open-world-game-coming-in-2022-first-screenshot-has-botw-vibes/1100-6498824/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=December 9, 2021 |date=December 9, 2021 |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210222121/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-is-an-open-world-game-coming-in-2022-first-screenshot-has-botw-vibes/1100-6498824/ |url-status=live }} while Sonic Unleashed (2008), Generations (2011), and Forces art director Sachiko Kawamura produced it. Frontiers{{'}} development lasted five years, longer than previous Sonic games' development cycles. Iizuka attributed the length partly to Frontiers not building on previous Sonic gameplay. Determining the game's direction required trial-and-error, and development restarted from scratch at one point. Sonic Team began holding external playtesting during Frontiers{{'}} development. The COVID-19 pandemic began during production, requiring Sonic Team to shift to remote work for the first time in its history. Iizuka noted that this made it difficult for developers to "get a sense of the big picture", but the benefit of digital communication "accelerated" other aspects of development.

The designers focused on transitioning Sonic's speed and abilities to an open-world design while remaining true to previous games,{{cite web |last1=West |first1=Josh |title=With Sonic Frontiers, Sega is "focused on bringing Sonic to the next level" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/with-sonic-frontiers-sega-is-focused-on-bringing-sonic-to-the-next-level/ |website=GamesRadar+ |access-date=February 3, 2022 |date=January 27, 2022 |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005174034/https://www.gamesradar.com/with-sonic-frontiers-sega-is-focused-on-bringing-sonic-to-the-next-level/ |url-status=live }} and opted for a mysterious tone to reflect Sonic exploring an unfamiliar landscape. Iizuka felt Sonic{{'s}} essence as a 3D action game separated Frontiers from adventure and role-playing games such as the Legend of Zelda series. Kishimoto prefers to describe Frontiers as "open zone" to "open world" as it refers specifically to a freely explorable field in a Sonic game, as to a broader term that can apply to any type of game.{{Cite web |last=Krabbe |first=Esra |date=2022-06-15 |title=Sega Explains What Sonic Frontiers' 'Open Zone' Structure Actually Means |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-open-zone-world-meaning |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=November 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119131205/https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-open-zone-world-meaning |url-status=live }} In designing Frontiers, Sonic Team drew upon their experiences developing the hub worlds of Sonic Adventure and repeatedly tested how fast Sonic could race through the open world to determine how large it needed to be. Iizuka said the largest challenge was ensuring that fast-paced exploration would be fun. Sonic Team chose not to raise the difficulty level as the game progresses since the open world would provide plenty of content.{{cite web |last1=Krabbe |first1=Esra |title=Sega Explains What Sonic Frontiers' 'Open Zone' Structure Actually Means |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-open-zone-world-meaning |website=IGN |access-date=June 15, 2022 |date=June 15, 2022 |archive-date=November 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119131205/https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-open-zone-world-meaning |url-status=live }}

Sonic Team decided to prioritize combat to a greater extent, but despite the shift to open-world design, Sonic Team determined that Frontiers did not feel like a Sonic game without platforming elements. This presented the challenge of balancing platforming with exploration; Sonic Team's solution was to have the world open up as a reward for completing challenges. The developers wanted to ensure that players could choose between combat and platforming and would not be forced to fight enemies, so they included various methods to collect items outside platforming and combat, such as puzzles. The 2020 Sonic the Hedgehog feature film influenced the development; Kishimoto requested that Sonic Team incorporate Easter eggs referencing it and based the combat on the film's depiction of Sonic.{{cite web |last1=Krabbe |first1=Esra |title=Sonic Frontiers' Combat Was Inspired By the Sonic Movie |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-combat-movie-inspiration |website=IGN |access-date=June 14, 2022 |date=June 14, 2022 |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005174211/https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-combat-movie-inspiration |url-status=live }} The games' Cyber Space environments were modeled after levels from older Sonic games in both appearance and design.{{cite web |last1=Alexander |first1=Christina |title=Yes, Sonic Frontiers intentionally reuses levels from previous games |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/sonic-frontiers-reusing-levels/ |website=Digital Trends |access-date=January 17, 2025 |date= August 30, 2022 |archive-date=August 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830160634/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/sonic-frontiers-reusing-levels/ |url-status=live }} When designing these levels, Kishimoto wanted Sonic to "once again... stand amongst the other 'stage-clear' action games"{{Efn|The term "stage-clear" refers to action games in which the main goal is to progress through and clear individual levels or stages.|name=stageclear|group=stageclear}} that he enjoyed, like the Sega Genesis-era Sonic games and the Super Mario, Donkey Kong, and Kirby series.

Ian Flynn, who wrote Sonic the Hedgehog comics published by Archie Comics and IDW Publishing and episodes of the Sonic Boom TV series, wrote the script.{{cite magazine |last1=Stewart |first1=Marcus |title=Sonic Frontiers Drops The Blue Blur Into His First Open World Game |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/the-game-awards-2021/2021/12/09/sonic-frontiers-drops-the-blue-blur-into-his-first-open-world-game |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=December 9, 2021 |date=December 9, 2021 |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211210032511/https://www.gameinformer.com/the-game-awards-2021/2021/12/09/sonic-frontiers-drops-the-blue-blur-into-his-first-open-world-game |url-status=live }} Iizuka asked Flynn to write Frontiers after reading his work on the IDW comics. He felt Flynn understood the Sonic cast and would bring "a great improvement to the characters' emotions and dialogue".{{cite magazine |last1=Shea |first1=Brian |title=Sonic Frontiers Cover Story - Brave New World |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/feature/cover-story/sonic-frontiers/brave-new-world |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=July 20, 2022 |date=July 20, 2022 |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005185545/https://www.gameinformer.com/feature/cover-story/sonic-frontiers/brave-new-world |url-status=live }} Iizuka noted that the story differs from previous Sonic games in that it is less humorous and does not make the player's goal obvious, instead challenging them to figure out how to solve problems themselves.

Whereas Flynn had pitched his previous Sonic stories himself, Sega dictated Frontiers{{'s}} premise and which characters Flynn was allowed to use. Flynn considered it "a dream come true" to write a major Sonic game,{{cite web |last1=Saltzman |first1=Mitchell |title=Sonic Frontiers Writer Talks Open-Zone Story, Dr. Eggman, and More – IGN First |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-writer-ian-flynn-open-zone-dr-eggman-story-ign-first |website=IGN |access-date=June 22, 2022 |date=June 22, 2022 |archive-date=November 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110163942/https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-writer-ian-flynn-open-zone-dr-eggman-story-ign-first |url-status=live }} and he was able to present ideas for using more characters to Sonic Team. Kishimoto said this created a "cooperative back and forth".{{Cite magazine |last=Shea |first=Brian |date=2022-07-14 |title=What Players Should Expect From Sonic Frontiers' Story |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/07/14/what-players-should-expect-from-sonic-frontiers-story |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220717101110/https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/07/14/what-players-should-expect-from-sonic-frontiers-story |archive-date=July 17, 2022 |access-date=2022-07-17 |magazine=Game Informer |language=en}} Given the nonlinear approach, Flynn found pacing the story was "the biggest question" and "had to be massaged and revised as the game's structure took shape". Kishimoto did the Japanese localization using Flynn's script as a base, making changes to suit the Japanese market.

File:20170602 Nürnberg Rock im Park Sleeping With Sirens 0082 Sleeping With Sirens.jpg

Tomoya Ohtani was the lead composer and sound director for Frontiers.{{cite web |last1=Boxer |first1=Steve |title=Looking back on 30 years of 'Sonic The Hedgehog' with composer Jun Senoue |url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/gaming-features/looking-back-on-30-years-of-sonic-the-hedgehog-with-composer-jun-senoue-3127403 |website=NME |access-date=December 30, 2021 |date=December 29, 2021 |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101121903/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/gaming-features/looking-back-on-30-years-of-sonic-the-hedgehog-with-composer-jun-senoue-3127403 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Greif |first=Zachary |url=https://gamerant.com/sonic-frontiers-composer-jun-senoue/ |title=Fan Favorite Sonic Composer Jun Senoue Working on Sonic Frontiers |website=Game Rant |access-date=August 31, 2022 |date=Jan 1, 2022 |archive-date=November 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115213048/https://gamerant.com/sonic-frontiers-composer-jun-senoue/ |url-status=live }} In accordance with the tone, the Frontiers soundtrack is less upbeat and is "focused more on helping to create a mysterious feeling surrounding the islands". Ohtani composed the main theme, "I'm Here", with vocals and lyrics by Merry Kirk-Holmes of To Octavia. The song plays during the battle against Supreme, with the vocal track playing in its second phase.{{cite web |last=Greif |first=Zachary |url=https://gamerant.com/sonic-frontiers-main-vocal-theme-preview/ |title=Sonic Frontiers Shares Main Vocal Theme Preview |website=Game Rant |access-date=September 8, 2022 |date=Sep 8, 2022 |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005193502/https://gamerant.com/sonic-frontiers-main-vocal-theme-preview/ |url-status=live }} Sleeping with Sirens vocalist Kellin Quinn appears on the prior Titan battle themes: "Undefeatable" (Giganto), "Break Through It All" (Wyvern), "Find Your Flame" (Knight), with vocalist and producer Tyler Smyth of DangerKids featured on the third track.{{Cite web |title=Undefeatable - Credits |url=https://open.spotify.com/track/6EO56btPzDF3LUrfwlXi2j?si=1b63111c22ed4387 |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Spotify |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116200358/https://open.spotify.com/track/6EO56btPzDF3LUrfwlXi2j?si=1b63111c22ed4387&nd=1 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Break Through it All - Credits |url=https://open.spotify.com/track/0Oz6SCNjnsfEAWI3Y9Ix7f?si=f66e2f74b6a047b8 |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Spotify |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116200921/https://open.spotify.com/track/0Oz6SCNjnsfEAWI3Y9Ix7f?si=f66e2f74b6a047b8&nd=1 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Undefeatable - Credits |url=https://open.spotify.com/track/1O80Lhuq0lKHIiF1HnMgQT?si=8674924c755f4b67 |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Spotify |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116200925/https://open.spotify.com/track/1O80Lhuq0lKHIiF1HnMgQT?si=8674924c755f4b67&nd=1 |url-status=live }} "Another Story" exclusively includes both an orchestral version of "I'm Here" and a heavier remix called "I'm Here – Revisited", with re-recorded vocals by Quinn, both of which play in the revamped The End battle. Japanese rock band One Ok Rock wrote and performed a censored version of one of the four ending themes, "Vandalize", which also appears on their tenth studio album Luxury Disease, albeit being the uncensored version.{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/09/sonic-frontiers-ending-theme-song-announced-vandalize-by-one-ok-rock|title=Sonic Frontiers ending theme song announced – 'Vandalize' by ONE OK ROCK|last=Romano|first=Sal|website=Gematsu|date=September 6, 2022|access-date=September 6, 2022|archive-date=October 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001195751/https://www.gematsu.com/2022/09/sonic-frontiers-ending-theme-song-announced-vandalize-by-one-ok-rock|url-status=live}} The other three ending themes are "Dear Father", "One Way Dream" and "I'm with you – Vocal ver.", performed by Quinn Barnitt, Nathan Sharp and Gaby Borro respectively,{{cite web |title=Dear Father - Credits |url=https://open.spotify.com/track/5USHwyc51cbdy6uLWyB1c5?si=e3e45667d5d0401e |website=Spotify |access-date=25 December 2022 |language=en |date=7 December 2022 |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116200930/https://open.spotify.com/track/5USHwyc51cbdy6uLWyB1c5?si=e3e45667d5d0401e&nd=1 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=One Way Dream - Credits |url=https://open.spotify.com/track/0yfl8bvYA7C1sHGXYNV5Zs?si=72fc27faa6e24274 |website=Spotify |access-date=25 December 2022 |language=en |date=7 December 2022 |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116200930/https://open.spotify.com/track/0yfl8bvYA7C1sHGXYNV5Zs?si=72fc27faa6e24274&nd=1 |url-status=live }} the latter of which also only appears in "Another Story". Additional music for the game was written by Kenichi Tokoi, Takahito Eguchi, Rintaro Soma, Kenji Mizuno, Kanon Oguni, and Hiroshi Kawaguchi, with additional vocals from Japanese singer YURI and Japanese-American singer Seann Bowe. The soundtrack album, Stillness & Motion, was released on December 7, 2022. It features 150 tracks spanning 6 hours and 37 minutes, making it the longest in the series.{{cite web |last=Shutler |first=Ali |date=7 October 2022 |title=Stillness and Motion |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/sonic-frontiers-stillness-motion-soundtrack-will-feature-150-tracks-3324837 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116200932/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/sonic-frontiers-stillness-motion-soundtrack-will-feature-150-tracks-3324837 |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=NME}} The soundtrack album debuted in the top 10 for the US Spotify chart a week after it was released.{{Cite tweet |number=1602431892921409538 |user=spotifycharts |title=.@Sza secures a place at the top with the release of #SOS. Which track have you been playing the most? 🎵 #SpotifyCharts |access-date=22 December 2022 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116200936/https://twitter.com/spotifycharts/status/1602431892921409538 |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |url-status=dead}}

An additional soundtrack album titled Paths Revisited, consisting of 46 tracks, was released on October 2, 2023 digitally, four days after the release of the game's third major update.{{cite web |last=Joshua |first=Orpheus |date=September 14, 2023 |title=Sonic Frontiers Expansion Soundtrack, Paths Revisited |url=https://noisypixel.net/sonic-frontiers-expansion-soundtrack-paths-revisited-announced-46-songs/ |access-date=September 15, 2023 |website=NoisyPixel}} A physical version released on November 15, 2023.

Sega originally planned to release Sonic Frontiers in 2021 to coincide with the franchise's 30th anniversary but delayed it by a year for quality control.{{cite web |last1=Doolan |first1=Liam |title=Sonic Frontiers Was Originally Planned For A 2021 Release, But Sega Wanted To "Brush Up The Quality" |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/01/sonic-frontiers-was-originally-planned-for-a-2021-release-but-sega-wanted-to-brush-up-the-quality |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=January 2, 2022 |date=January 1, 2022 |archive-date=January 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107070429/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/01/sonic-frontiers-was-originally-planned-for-a-2021-release-but-sega-wanted-to-brush-up-the-quality |url-status=live }} Frontiers finished development on October 22, 2022, and released on November 8, 2022,{{cite web |last1=Parrish |first1=Ash |title=Sonic Frontiers arrives November 8th |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/8/23/23318217/sonic-frontiers-release-date-story-trailer-sega |website=The Verge |access-date=August 24, 2022 |date=August 23, 2022 |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102152652/https://www.theverge.com/2022/8/23/23318217/sonic-frontiers-release-date-story-trailer-sega |url-status=live }} for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.

Sega unveiled a teaser trailer, featuring Sonic running through a forest, at the end of a 30th-anniversary livestream on May 27, 2021.{{cite web |last1=Wales |first1=Matt |title=Sega confirms Sonic Colors Ultimate plus a retro Sonic compilation for next year |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-05-27-sega-confirms-sonic-colors-ultimate-plus-a-retro-sonic-compilation-for-next-year |website=Eurogamer |access-date=May 28, 2021 |date=May 27, 2021 |archive-date=December 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208180922/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-05-27-sega-confirms-sonic-colors-ultimate-plus-a-retro-sonic-compilation-for-next-year |url-status=live }} The title was not announced, but the trailer metadata and a Sega press release included the title Sonic Rangers.{{cite web |last1=Capel |first1=Chris |title=New Sonic game may be called Sonic Rangers, press release accidentally reveals |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/683002-new-sonic-2022-game-sonic-rangers-leak |website=Game Revolution |access-date=May 28, 2021 |date=May 27, 2021 |archive-date=May 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527203814/https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/683002-new-sonic-2022-game-sonic-rangers-leak |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|last=Skrebels|first=Joe|date=May 28, 2021|title=The New Sonic Game May Be Called Sonic Rangers|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-rangers-sonic-team-2022-game|url-status=live|access-date=June 6, 2021|website=IGN|archive-date=December 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201201959/https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-rangers-sonic-team-2022-game}} Iizuka later said that he felt the game was teased prematurely, but believed it necessary given that it was the series's 30th anniversary and that Sonic Team had not announced a game since Forces.{{cite web |last1=Doolan |first1=Liam |title=Takashi Iizuka Admits The Sonic 2022 Reveal Was Probably A Bit Too Early |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/07/takashi_iizuka_admits_the_sonic_2022_reveal_was_probably_a_bit_too_early |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=December 10, 2021 |date=July 22, 2021 |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210172744/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/07/takashi_iizuka_admits_the_sonic_2022_reveal_was_probably_a_bit_too_early |url-status=live }} Sega trademarked the name Sonic Frontiers in November 2021 and announced it the following month at the Game Awards 2021 in December.{{cite web |last1=Ivan |first1=Tom |title=Sega's 'Sonic Frontiers' trademark seemingly corroborates open-world claims |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/segas-sonic-frontiers-trademark-seemingly-corroborates-open-world-claims/ |website=Video Games Chronicle |access-date=November 8, 2021 |date=November 8, 2021 |archive-date=December 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208023858/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/segas-sonic-frontiers-trademark-seemingly-corroborates-open-world-claims/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Diaz |first1=Ana |title=Sonic Frontiers sends the hedgehog on a new 3D adventure |url=https://www.polygon.com/22824831/sonic-frontiers-sega-3d-mainline-game-awards |website=Polygon |access-date=December 9, 2021 |date=December 9, 2021 |archive-date=December 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212164414/https://www.polygon.com/22824831/sonic-frontiers-sega-3d-mainline-game-awards |url-status=live }}

Sega collaborated with video game news website IGN to promote Frontiers throughout June 2022.{{cite web |last1=Hagues |first1=Alana |date=June 7, 2022 |title=The First Hands-On With Sonic Frontiers Has Dropped |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/06/the-first-hands-on-with-sonic-frontiers-has-dropped |access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=Nintendo Life |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006134208/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/06/the-first-hands-on-with-sonic-frontiers-has-dropped |url-status=live }} A trailer featured during the opening night of Gamescom on August 23, 2022. In Japan, the game offered DLC in collaboration with VTuber Inugami Korone, available by pre-ordering the game. Additional information serving as a prelude to Frontiers was sold as pre-release promotional material, titled Sonic Frontiers Prologue.{{cite web |last1=Skrebels |first1=Joe |date=June 7, 2022 |title=Sonic Frontiers Is Getting an Animated Special Ahead of Release |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-prologue-animated-special-prequel |access-date=June 7, 2022 |website=IGN |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005193502/https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-prologue-animated-special-prequel |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last=Shea |first=Brian |date=August 23, 2022 |title=Sonic Frontiers Release Date Set For November |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/gamescom-2022/2022/08/23/sonic-frontiers-release-date-set-for-november |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=August 23, 2022 |archive-date=August 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823184757/https://www.gameinformer.com/gamescom-2022/2022/08/23/sonic-frontiers-release-date-set-for-november |url-status=live }} These included an eight-page comic, Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Convergence, released in October 2022,{{cite web |last=Hagues |first=Alana |date=25 October 2022 |title=Sonic Frontiers Prologue Comic Part Two is Now Live |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/10/sonic-frontiers-prologue-comic-part-two-is-now-live |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116200935/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/10/sonic-frontiers-prologue-comic-part-two-is-now-live |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |access-date=October 25, 2022 |website=Nintendo Life}} and an accompanying animated short, Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence, released on November 1.{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=November 1, 2022 |title=Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence animated short |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/11/sonic-frontiers-prologue-divergence-animated-short |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116200935/https://www.gematsu.com/2022/11/sonic-frontiers-prologue-divergence-animated-short |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |access-date=November 1, 2022 |website=Gematsu}} The comic was drawn by Evan Stanley, an artist and writer on IDW's Sonic comic series, while animation was directed by Tyson Hesse; both were written by Flynn.{{Cite web |last=Hagues |first=Alana |date=2022-11-01 |title=Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence Animation, Starring Knuckles, Is Out Now |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/11/sonic-frontiers-prologue-divergence-animation-starring-knuckles-is-out-now |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116200935/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/11/sonic-frontiers-prologue-divergence-animation-starring-knuckles-is-out-now |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Puc |first=Samantha |date=2022-11-07 |title=The Sonic Frontiers comic book prologue takes place immediately before the game |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-sonic-frontiers-comic-book-prologue-takes-place-immediately-before-the-game/ |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=gamesradar |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Moyse |first=Chris |date=2022-10-17 |title=Sonic Frontiers to set the scene with prologue cartoon and comic |url=https://www.destructoid.com/sonic-frontiers-prologue-cartoon-comic-sega-the-hedgehog/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116200938/https://www.destructoid.com/sonic-frontiers-prologue-cartoon-comic-sega-the-hedgehog/ |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=Destructoid |language=en-CA}}{{Cite web |last=Greif |first=Zackari |date=2022-11-01 |title=Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence Sets the Stage for Sonic Lore to Change Forever |url=https://gamerant.com/sonic-frontiers-prologue-divergence-chaos-emeralds-echidna-ancients-lore-connection/ |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=Game Rant |language=en-US |archive-date=November 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113171404/https://gamerant.com/sonic-frontiers-prologue-divergence-chaos-emeralds-echidna-ancients-lore-connection/ |url-status=live }}

Sonic Frontiers sold in physical and digital versions, offering in-game items as pre-order bonuses, as well as a Digital Deluxe edition, which includes additional items, a digital artbook and a mini digital soundtrack covering Kronos Island.{{cite news |date=25 August 2022 |title=Japanese Sonic Frontiers players receive special V-Tuber DLC costumes |newspaper=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/japanese-sonic-frontiers-players-receive-special-v-tuber-dlc-costumes |access-date=August 26, 2022 |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017121413/https://www.eurogamer.net/japanese-sonic-frontiers-players-receive-special-v-tuber-dlc-costumes |url-status=live }} Signing up for the official newsletter before January 31, 2023, gave players a free DLC code to unlock Sonic's Soap shoes from Sonic Adventure 2 (2001).{{Cite web |last=Brian |date=2022-10-04 |title=Sonic Frontiers fans have a chance to obtain Soap Shoes from Sonic Adventure 2 |url=https://nintendoeverything.com/sonic-frontiers-fans-have-a-chance-to-obtain-soap-shoes-from-sonic-adventure-2/ |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=Nintendo Everything |language=en |archive-date=October 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004061253/https://nintendoeverything.com/sonic-frontiers-fans-have-a-chance-to-obtain-soap-shoes-from-sonic-adventure-2/ |url-status=live }} Frontiers received a free DLC pack on November 14, 2022, that included additional cosmetics inspired by Capcom's Monster Hunter series as well as a cooking minigame.{{cite web |last=Fanelli |first=Jason |date=October 11, 2022 |title=Sonic Frontiers X Monster Hunter Free DLC Lets Sonic Cook Meat While Wearing Rathalos Armor |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-x-monster-hunter-free-dlc-lets-sonic-cook-meat-while-wearing-rathalos-armor/1100-6508155/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011153139/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-x-monster-hunter-free-dlc-lets-sonic-cook-meat-while-wearing-rathalos-armor/1100-6508155/ |archive-date=October 11, 2022 |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=GameSpot}} Several content updates were announced shortly before The Game Awards 2022. The first, titled "Sights, Sounds, and Speed", included a Battle Rush mode where Sonic fights an island's enemies back to back, a Cyber Space Challenge mode where Sonic completes an island's Cyber Space levels back to back, a photo mode, and a jukebox that plays various music from Sonic's history obtained through "Sound Memories".{{Cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Callum |last2=White |first2=Scott |last3=Gutierrez |first3=Luis Joshua |title=Sights, Sounds, and Speed Update - Sonic Frontiers Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/sonic-frontiers/Sights,_Sounds,_and_Speed_Update |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=IGN |date=March 30, 2023 |language=en}} The second update, "Sonic's Birthday Bash", includes several quality of life updates and birthday cosmetic items, as well as New Koco used to increase the boost gauge, New Game +, Action Chain Challenges, and the return of the Spin Dash.{{Cite magazine |last=Shea |first=Brian |date=June 23, 2023 |title=Sonic Frontiers' Second Free Content Update Celebrates Sonic's Birthday, Arrives Today |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2023/06/23/sonic-frontiers-second-free-content-update-celebrates-sonics-birthday-arrives-today |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628065156/https://www.gameinformer.com/2023/06/23/sonic-frontiers-second-free-content-update-celebrates-sonics-birthday-arrives-today |archive-date=June 28, 2023 |access-date=2023-06-26 |magazine=Game Informer |language=en}} The third and final major update for the game, "The Final Horizon", released September 28, 2023, includes Tails, Knuckles and Amy as additional playable characters, and an overhaul of the game's climax and new challenges.{{Cite tweet |number=1598000246772023296 |user=sonic_hedgehog |title=New modes, new Koco, new...playable characters!? More Sonic Frontiers content coming your way next year! |access-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130171150/https://twitter.com/sonic_hedgehog/status/1598000246772023296 |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |url-status=live}}

Some retailers sold copies of Sonic Frontiers before the street date, and the Nintendo Switch version was uploaded online.{{Cite news |last=Nightingale |first=Ed |date=2022-11-04 |title=Sonic Frontiers leaks ahead of release date |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/sonic-frontiers-leaks-ahead-of-release-date |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105130716/https://www.eurogamer.net/sonic-frontiers-leaks-ahead-of-release-date |archive-date=November 5, 2022 |access-date=2022-11-05 |work=Eurogamer |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |last=Doolan |first=Liam |date=2022-11-04 |title=Sonic Frontiers Leaks Surface Online Ahead Of Next Week's Launch |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/11/sonic-frontiers-leaks-surface-online-ahead-of-next-weeks-launch |access-date=2022-11-05 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB |archive-date=November 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105130710/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/11/sonic-frontiers-leaks-surface-online-ahead-of-next-weeks-launch |url-status=live }} The composer, Tomoya Ohtani, said he was saddened by the leaks and urged players to not spoil the game.{{Cite web |last=Doolan |first=Liam |date=2022-11-05 |title=Sonic Frontiers Lead Composer Upset By Leaks, Says It's "Ruining The Experience For Others" |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/11/sonic-frontiers-lead-composer-upset-by-leaks-says-its-ruining-the-experience-for-others |access-date=2022-11-05 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307164620/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/11/sonic-frontiers-lead-composer-upset-by-leaks-says-its-ruining-the-experience-for-others |url-status=live }}

Nintendo Life characterized early Frontiers gameplay footage as divisive.{{cite web |last1=Hagues |first1=Alana |title=New Sonic Frontiers Gameplay Lets The Blue Blur Show Off His Combat Skills |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/06/new-sonic-frontiers-gameplay-lets-the-blue-blur-show-off-his-combat-skills |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=June 3, 2022 |date=June 3, 2022 |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005193454/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/06/new-sonic-frontiers-gameplay-lets-the-blue-blur-show-off-his-combat-skills |url-status=live }} Kotaku felt the game looked fine but derivative and bland, lacking the series' unique identity, and Polygon and Nintendo Life found the open world desolate.{{cite web |last1=Reynolds |first1=Ollie |title=Sonic Frontiers Gameplay Showcases A Pretty, But Sparse Open World |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/06/sonic-frontiers-gameplay-showcases-a-pretty-but-sparse-open-world |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=June 3, 2022 |date=June 1, 2022 |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006134204/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/06/sonic-frontiers-gameplay-showcases-a-pretty-but-sparse-open-world |url-status=live }} Some fans demanded the game be delayed, and the hashtag #DelaySonicFrontiers briefly trended on Twitter.{{cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Andy |title=Fans call on Sega to delay Sonic Frontiers following gameplay reveal |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/fans-call-on-sega-to-delay-sonic-frontiers-following-gameplay-reveal/ |website=Video Games Chronicle |access-date=June 13, 2022 |date=June 4, 2022 |archive-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108194239/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/fans-call-on-sega-to-delay-sonic-frontiers-following-gameplay-reveal/ |url-status=live }} Iizuka said that Sonic Team expected early reactions to be polarized, as he felt the early footage would not give fans a good idea of what to expect.{{cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Martin |title=Sonic Team had to scrap its first pass at Sonic Frontiers |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/sonic-team-had-to-scrap-its-first-pass-at-sonic-frontiers |website=Eurogamer |access-date=June 13, 2022 |date=June 13, 2022 |archive-date=June 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220613164431/https://www.eurogamer.net/sonic-team-had-to-scrap-its-first-pass-at-sonic-frontiers |url-status=live }}

{{Video game reviews

| MC = 69/100 (NS){{cite web |title=Sonic Frontiers for Switch Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sonic-frontiers/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |website=Metacritic |access-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-date=November 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114110711/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/sonic-frontiers |url-status=live }}
75/100 (PC){{cite web |title=Sonic Frontiers for PC Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sonic-frontiers/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |website=Metacritic |access-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130183121/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/sonic-frontiers |url-status=live }}
75/100 (PS4){{cite web |title=Sonic Frontiers for PlayStation 4 Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sonic-frontiers/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |website=Metacritic |access-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-date=November 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114110709/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/sonic-frontiers |url-status=live }}
70/100 (PS5){{cite web |title=Sonic Frontiers for PlayStation 5 Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sonic-frontiers/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |website=Metacritic |access-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-date=December 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201153341/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-5/sonic-frontiers |url-status=live }}
61/100 (XSXS){{cite web |title=Sonic Frontiers for Xbox Series X Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sonic-frontiers/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x |website=Metacritic |access-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-date=November 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114110710/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-series-x/sonic-frontiers |url-status=live }}

| Destruct = 7/10{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=2022-11-09 |title=Review: Sonic Frontiers |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-sonic-frontiers/ |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=Destructoid |language=en-CA |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307164601/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-sonic-frontiers/ |url-status=live }}

| DT = 1/5{{Cite web |last=Franzese |first=Tomas |date=2022-11-07 |title=Sonic Frontiers review: maybe it's time to slow down |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/sonic-frontiers-review-ps5/ |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=Digital Trends |language=en |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307164609/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/sonic-frontiers-review-ps5/ |url-status=live }}

| GI = 7.8/10{{Cite magazine |last=Shea |first=Brian |date=2022-11-07 |title=Sonic Frontiers Review - Into The Wild Blue Yonder |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/sonic-frontiers/into-the-wild-blue-yonder |access-date=2022-11-07 |magazine=Game Informer |language=en |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307164610/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/sonic-frontiers/into-the-wild-blue-yonder |url-status=live }}

| GSpot = 7/10{{Cite web |last=Wakeling |first=Richard |date=2022-07-11 |title=Sonic Frontiers Review - Sonic, Is That You? |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sonic-frontiers-review-sonic-is-that-you/1900-6417995/ |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107181933/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sonic-frontiers-review-sonic-is-that-you/1900-6417995/ |url-status=live }}

| IGN = 7/10{{Cite web |last=Northup |first=Travis |date=2022-11-07 |title=Sonic Frontiers Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-review |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107181046/https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-review |url-status=live }}

| NLife = 4/10{{Cite web|last=Reynolds|first=Ollie|date=2022-11-10|website=Nintendo Life|publisher=Hookshot Media|title=Sonic Frontiers Review|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/sonic-frontiers|access-date=November 11, 2022|archive-date=November 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111005351/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/sonic-frontiers|url-status=live}}

| PSQ = 8/10{{Cite web |last=McCrae |first=Scott |date=2022-11-07 |title=Review: Sonic Frontiers (PS5) - Bold New Gamble for the Series Pays Off |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/sonic-frontiers |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=Push Square |language=en-GB |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107180529/https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/sonic-frontiers |url-status=live }}

| SN = 9/10{{Cite web |last=Shaver |first=Morgan |date=2022-11-07 |title=Sonic Frontiers review: A Sonic blast |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/132991/sonic-frontiers-review-score |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=Shacknews |language=en |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107180529/https://www.shacknews.com/article/132991/sonic-frontiers-review-score |url-status=live }}

| VB = 4/5{{Cite web |last=Minotti |first=Mike |date=2022-11-07 |title=Sonic Frontiers review — Stop laughing |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/sonic-frontiers-review-stop-laughing/ |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107202900/https://venturebeat.com/games/sonic-frontiers-review-stop-laughing/ |url-status=live }}

| VGC = 4/5{{Cite web |last=Scullion |first=Chris |date=2022-11-07 |title=Review: Sonic Frontiers is a fine return to form for the series |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/sonic-frontiers/ |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=Video Games Chronicle |language=en-GB |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107180532/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/sonic-frontiers/ |url-status=live }}

}}

According to the review aggregate website Metacritic, the PlayStation 4 version and Windows version of Sonic Frontiers received "generally favorable reviews", while other console versions received "mixed or average reviews".

Video Games Chronicle felt that the controls had been tightened up, but still occasionally had issues. Destructoid praised the amount of control the player has over Sonic, allowing them to go anywhere they can see.{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=November 9, 2022 |title=Review: Sonic Frontiers |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-sonic-frontiers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109214051/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-sonic-frontiers/ |archive-date=November 9, 2022 |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=Destructoid |language=en-CA}} Game Informer wrote that Sonic controls "remarkably well" in the open environment. Nintendo Life found the controls "hit-and-miss", and Push Square remarked that the game occasionally took control away from the player.{{Cite web |last=McCrae |first=Scott |date=2022-11-07 |title=Review: Sonic Frontiers (PS5) - Bold New Gamble for the Series Pays Off |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/sonic-frontiers |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=Push Square |language=en-GB |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107180529/https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/sonic-frontiers |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Ollie |date=2022-11-10 |title=Review: Sonic Frontiers - A Bold But Ultimately Failed Attempt At Something New |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/sonic-frontiers |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB |archive-date=November 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111005351/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/sonic-frontiers |url-status=live }}

The combat received mixed reviews.{{Cite web |last=Wakeling |first=Richard |date=November 7, 2022 |title=Sonic Frontiers Review - Sonic, Is That You? |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sonic-frontiers-review-sonic-is-that-you/1900-6417995/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107181933/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sonic-frontiers-review-sonic-is-that-you/1900-6417995/ |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}} Digital Trends and Game Informer described the combat as enjoyable, with Game Informer describing it as "comprehensive". However, Digital Trends criticized its presentation in major boss fights.{{Cite web |last=Franzese |first=Tomas |date=2022-11-07 |title=Sonic Frontiers review: maybe it's time to slow down |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/sonic-frontiers-review-ps5/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107204954/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/sonic-frontiers-review-ps5/ |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Digital Trends |language=en}} GameSpot felt the combat was simplistic while providing a diverse range of enemy variety. IGN criticized the combat in Frontiers for being repetitive and unengaging, explaining that the battles against faceless robotic enemies detracted from the fast-paced platforming gameplay.{{Cite web |last=Northup |first=Travis |date=2022-11-07 |title=Sonic Frontiers Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-review |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107181046/https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-review |url-status=live }}

Video Games Chronicles praised the game as the most "visually and aurally impressive" Sonic game to date,{{Cite web |last=Scullion |first=Chris |date=2022-11-07 |title=Review: Sonic Frontiers is a fine return to form for the series |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/sonic-frontiers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107180532/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/sonic-frontiers/ |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=Video Games Chronicle |language=en-GB}} and Shacknews described the visuals of Frontiers as "stunning".{{Cite web |last=Shaver |first=Morgan |date=November 7, 2022 |title=Sonic Frontiers review: A Sonic blast |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/132991/sonic-frontiers-review-score |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107180529/https://www.shacknews.com/article/132991/sonic-frontiers-review-score |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=Shacknews |language=en}} IGN and VentureBeat pointed out issues with technical limitations causing large objects to pop into view, disrupting immersion and diminishing the overall polish of the game.{{Cite web |last=Northup |first=Travis |date=2022-11-07 |title=Sonic Frontiers Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-review |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107181046/https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-review |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Minotti |first=Mike |date=2022-11-07 |title=Sonic Frontiers review — Stop laughing |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/sonic-frontiers-review-stop-laughing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107202900/https://venturebeat.com/games/sonic-frontiers-review-stop-laughing/ |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}}

The soundtrack received positive responses.{{Cite web |last=McCrae |first=Scott |date=2022-11-07 |title=Review: Sonic Frontiers (PS5) - Bold New Gamble for the Series Pays Off |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/sonic-frontiers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107180529/https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/sonic-frontiers |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Push Square |language=en-GB}} Push Square stated that Frontiers may have "the best soundtrack in the series", praising its lo-fi and rock themes. Writing for Game Informer, Brian Shea praised the music and felt that it contributed to some memorable moments in the game.{{Cite magazine |last=Shea |first=Brian |date=November 7, 2022 |title=Sonic Frontiers Review - Into The Wild Blue Yonder |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/sonic-frontiers/into-the-wild-blue-yonder |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107180530/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/sonic-frontiers/into-the-wild-blue-yonder |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |access-date=2022-12-25 |magazine=Game Informer |language=en}} GameSpot described the music as calming and solemn, comparing it to Breath of the Wild. Shacknews described the soundtrack as "phenomenal", with the boss battle music being a standout.{{Cite web |last=Shaver |first=Morgan |date=November 7, 2022 |title=Sonic Frontiers review: A Sonic blast |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/132991/sonic-frontiers-review-score |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107180529/https://www.shacknews.com/article/132991/sonic-frontiers-review-score |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Shacknews |language=en}}

Sonic Frontiers was well received by Sonic fans. The Washington Post wrote that many enjoyed its controls, emphasis on freedom, story, references to prior Sonic games, and soundtrack.{{cite news |last1=Park |first1=Gene |title=5 reasons Sonic fans see 'Sonic Frontiers' as an undeniable win |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/11/14/sonic-frontiers-fans-review/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=November 14, 2022 |date=November 14, 2022 |archive-date=November 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114212019/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/11/14/sonic-frontiers-fans-review/ |url-status=live }} Sonic Frontiers set the record for the largest number of concurrent players for a Sonic game on Steam, surpassing the record held by Sonic Mania.{{Cite web |last=Scullion |first=Chris |date=2022-11-12 |title=Sonic Frontiers has smashed the series record for concurrent Steam players |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sonic-frontiers-has-smashed-the-series-record-for-concurrent-steam-players/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307164620/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sonic-frontiers-has-smashed-the-series-record-for-concurrent-steam-players/ |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=Video Games Chronicle |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |last=Nightingale |first=Ed |date=2022-11-14 |title=Sonic Frontiers sets series' new Steam concurrent player record |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/sonic-frontiers-sets-series-new-steam-concurrent-player-record |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114123906/https://www.eurogamer.net/sonic-frontiers-sets-series-new-steam-concurrent-player-record |archive-date=November 14, 2022 |access-date=2022-11-14 |work=Eurogamer |language=en-gb}}

The Nintendo Switch version of Sonic Frontiers was the fourth best-selling retail game during its first week of release in Japan, with 26,067 physical copies being sold. The PlayStation 5 version was the seventh best-selling retail game in the country throughout the same week, selling 11,111 physical copies. The PlayStation 4 version sold 9,098 physical copies and was the eighth best-selling retail game of the week in Japan, totaling 46,276 copies and outselling God of War Ragnarök.{{cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|date=November 17, 2022|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/11/famitsu-sales-11-7-22-11-13-22|title=Famitsu Sales: 11/7/22 – 11/13/22|publisher=Gematsu|accessdate=November 17, 2022|archive-date=March 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307164611/https://www.gematsu.com/2022/11/famitsu-sales-11-7-22-11-13-22|url-status=live}} In the United States, Sonic Frontiers was the fourth best-selling game of November overall.{{cite web |last=T. Wright |first=Steven |date=December 9, 2022 |title=Best-Selling Video Games Of November In US Include Call Of Duty, God Of War |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/best-selling-video-games-of-november-in-us-include-call-of-duty-god-of-war/1100-6509937/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218164918/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/best-selling-video-games-of-november-in-us-include-call-of-duty-god-of-war/1100-6509937/ |archive-date=December 18, 2022 |access-date=18 December 2022 |website=GameSpot}} On December 12, 2022, Sega announced that Frontiers had sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide,{{cite web |last1=Wood |first1=Anthony |title=Sonic Frontiers Has Sold 2.5 Million Copies |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-has-sold-over-2-million-copies |website=IGN |date=December 13, 2022 |access-date=18 December 2022 |archive-date=January 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104214525/https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-has-sold-over-2-million-copies |url-status=live }} and would later announce that worldwide sales had surpassed 3.2 million copies in March 2023,{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-i-sonic-frontiers-i-has-sped-past-3-million-copies-sold |title=Sonic Frontiers has sped past 3 million copies sold |last=Carter |first=Justin |date=March 22, 2023 |website=Game Developer |access-date=April 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329210557/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-i-sonic-frontiers-i-has-sped-past-3-million-copies-sold |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |url-status=live}} and 3.5 million by May 2023.{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Justin |date=May 8, 2023 |title=Sonic Frontiers speeds to 3.5 million copies six months after release |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/sonic-frontiers-speeds-to-3-5-million-copies-six-months-after-release |website=Game Developer}}

Sonic Frontiers was nominated in the Players' Voice category at The Game Awards 2022, but lost to Genshin Impact.{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/11/the-game-awards-2022-nominees-announced|title=The Game Awards 2022 nominees announced|last=Romano|first=Sal|publisher=Gematsu|date=14 November 2022|access-date=14 November 2022|archive-date=November 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115030200/https://www.gematsu.com/2022/11/the-game-awards-2022-nominees-announced|url-status=live}} At the 2023 Japan Game Awards, it was one of eleven titles to receive an "Award for Excellence".{{Cite web |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/monster-hunter-rise-sunbreak-named-2023s-best-game-at-japan-game-awards/ |title=Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak named 2023's best game at Japan Game Awards |date=2023-09-21 |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=Video Games Chronicle |last=Robinson |first=Andy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921203514/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/monster-hunter-rise-sunbreak-named-2023s-best-game-at-japan-game-awards/ |archive-date=2023-09-21 |url-status=live}}

A location from the game, Chaos Island, features as a playable area in Shadow Generations.{{cite web |last1=Romano |first1=Sal |date=August 20, 2024 |title=Sonic X Shadow Generations 'Doom Powers' trailer |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/08/sonic-x-shadow-generations-doom-powers-trailer |access-date=August 21, 2024 |website=Gematsu}} Sage, an antagonist character introduced in Frontiers, is slated to appear as a playable racer in the upcoming Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.{{Cite web |last=Nightingale |first=Ed |date=2025-02-12 |title=Sega reveals Sonic Racing: Crossworlds, follow up to Team Sonic Racing |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/sega-reveals-sonic-racing-crossworlds-follow-up-to-team-sonic-racing |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}

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