The gameplay loop for most of the game is to run around the world killing minibosses to collect gears, using the gears to enter cyberspace levels to collect keys, using keys to collect Chaos Emeralds, and using the emeralds to beat the island’s boss. It is unlikely more than a few seconds will ever be spent in the world without the option to do something. Each bit of platforming is set up in a way where you can launch off the ending and either straight into the middle of another section or the start of one. Each island is covered in all sorts of rails and bounce pads to create mini platforming stages. Of course, thoughtless running isn’t all there is in the game. The controls take some getting used to, but once you do it becomes addictive to run across the islands without a thought. Sonic Frontiers excels at giving me both. I’m also quite fidgety and am always looking for games where it’s fun to simply run around the world. Regardless of the game, I love feeling fast and hate slow gameplay. This new system is by far the highlight of Sonic Frontiers.

This is effectively an open world Sonic game just with the open world cut into five islands, or zones. Sonic Frontiers features the franchise's new “open zone” gameplay system.

Free roam sonic game