I’ve never been much of a Sonic fan. I played Sonic Mania when it was in the zeitgeist, but I never really got it. Sonic moves fast, the camera is zoomed in, and I have no clue where to go.

So when Sonic Frontiers came out, I wasn’t the target audience. But, over the years, I have continued to hear good things about it from folks’ whose opinions on general games tend to sink in. (Of course, the Sonic sickos liked it, but they’ve liked many-a-Sonic game I haven’t cared for.)

Somehow, Sonic Frontiers got into my backlog—I think it was a PS+ game at some point. So, for 2025, tackling games from my backlog for 60 minutes a pop, Sonic Frontiers is the first one that called out to me, “Hey—give me a try.”

Glad I did.

While I won’t continue on with the game, those 60 minutes gave me a great window into what folks really enjoy about the game. There’s A LOT to do—things to collect in the open world, varied bosses to take down, a number of differently-designed challenges that help unlock new parts of the map. Lots to keep the experience fresh, even in the first mountainous zone.

And there’s a lot of space to explore. There are rails around the world to grind and use to access higher places in the level. Secrets in the sky, below ground, and around just about every corner. Bang, bang, bang.

Then there are stage-based challenges levels where the goal is to go fast, collect stuff, and (try to) finish with an S-ranked time. Those areas were the most reminiscent of original, 2D Sonic levels. Go fast, cut a path, and try not to die.

The graphics in the open world stand out. Things look pretty good—but mostly because everything is going by in a blur. If I stood around and really took a look, the visuals would start to leak a bit. And the cutscenes looked as unimpressive as the story they were telling.

But, of course, the story is not the point.

Speed, exploration, and level design are the point, and in those areas, Sonic Frontiers stands out.

Verdict: though I won’t keep playing, I’m glad I checked the game out.