Sonic Frontiers trailer takes center stage at The Game Awards 2021

Sonic Frontiers was revealed at The Game Awards 2021, giving us a glimpse at the "open zone-inspired" experience that's set to launch next year for current- and last-gen consoles. 

The first trailer for Sonic Frontiers gives us a hint of what to expect from Sonic's upcoming adventure – his first outing since 2017's Sonic Forces. You'll be speeding through the Starfall Islands in an effort to once again take down Dr. Eggman, this time whipping through a variety of lush-looking landscapes with the sort of velocity that we've long hoped to see the series grasp in the 3D-era.

We reported back in May that a new Sonic game is coming in 2022 and it would appear that this is the game that was first teased in that Sonic Central Stream. Sonic Frontiers is being developed by Sonic Team, with development led by director Morio Kishimoto (director of Sonic Forces and Sonic Colors) and producer Sachiko Kawamura (who served as art director of Sonic Forces and Sonic Generations). Ian Flynn, who wrote Archie Comics' Sonic the Hedgehog series for over a decade, is set to pen an original storyline for the upcoming game. 

It isn't yet clear how truly open this "open-zone realm" is going to be, but Takashi Iizuka, creative officer at Sonic Team USA, says: "Sonic Frontiers is a huge leap forward for the franchise, delivering an evolved gameplay experience that can be enjoyed by longtime Sonic fans and action-adventure enthusiasts alike."

"With the effort of the talented developers at Sonic Team Japan, we’ve created an all-new style of gameplay experience for Sonic the Hedgehog, where players will be able to explore lush and expansive landscapes with Sonic’s signature speed and abilities."

Sonic Frontiers is due to release "late 2022", for current and last-gen platforms.

Josh West
UK Managing Editor, GamesRadar+

Josh West is the UK Managing Editor of GamesRadar+. He has over 10 years experience in online and print journalism, and holds a BA (Hons) in Journalism and Feature Writing. Prior to starting his current position, Josh has served as GR+'s Features Editor and Deputy Editor of games™ magazine, and has freelanced for numerous publications including 3D Artist, Edge magazine, iCreate, Metal Hammer, Play, Retro Gamer, and SFX. Additionally, he has appeared on the BBC and ITV to provide expert comment, written for Scholastic books, edited a book for Hachette, and worked as the Assistant Producer of the Future Games Show. In his spare time, Josh likes to play bass guitar and video games. Years ago, he was in a few movies and TV shows that you've definitely seen but will never be able to spot him in.