Sonic Frontiers – Sonic Forces Director Leading Development

Sega finally unveiled Sonic Frontiers during The Game Awards 2021, confirming the title’s usage of an open world though it’s being referred to as “open-zone.” Set on the Starfall Islands with deserts, forests and other unique sights, the reveal trailer saw Sonic speeding through the land and seemingly answering a distress call. According to Game Informer, Sonic Team Japan is developing the title while Morio Kishimoto is leading.

Kishimoto is known for directing Sonic Forces, Sonic Lost World and Sonic Colors but was also the lead designer for Sonic and the Secret Rings and Sonic and the Black Knight. Perhaps more intriguing is that the story is written by Ian Flynn, currently the head writer of IDW’s Sonic the Hedgehog comic series. Flynn was also formerly the lead writer for  Archie Comics’ Sonic the Hedgehog series and wrote an episode of Sonic Boom.

Sonic Frontiers is planned to release in Holiday 2022 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch. More details are still to come but Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka hopes that it “lays the foundation for the following future Sonic titles” much like Sonic Adventure did.