Sonic Frontiers Video Explains Inspiration Behind the “Open Zone” Gameplay

Sonic Frontiers may have seen some mixed reactions to its gameplay thus far. Nevertheless, the prospect of a massive open-world (or “Open Zone”) with Sonic’s speed is still appealing. IGN First recently spoke to Sonic Team creative officer Takashi Iizuka about the “Open Zone” design and what inspired it.

Following the release of Sonic Forces, the developer started brainstorming on its next game. Feeling limited by the linear format of 3D titles at that point, Sonic Team decided to take the linear game design it was known for and create an action game with much more freedom. Sonic Adventure served as a base and expanded into something freer with Sonic Frontiers.

Interestingly, Iizuka ends by hoping that the work put into Sonic Frontiers can be used for making a new Sonic Adventure title. In the meantime, the former is slated to release in Holiday 2022 for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch. Check out a tease for the Prologue animation, which features Knuckles the Echidna, here.