Sonic Frontiers is an anticipated work that has generated a lot of interest in terms of innovation. Therefore, we decided to interview Sonic Frontiers Chief Creative Officer Takashi Iizuka, who told us more not only about the open world and its format, but also, for example, whether they are concerned about the criticism caused by the news.
Zing: What made you go into the open world? And how is history organized, is it built in such a way that it does not lose its pace?
Takashi Iizuka: In today’s games, many players enjoy the freedom to explore huge worlds, and our goal in creating Sonic Frontiers was to build on the linear, painterly clean 3D action that started with Sonic Adventure in 1998 and create a game that will be the cornerstone of future games. about Sonic. I’m really proud of the story we created in Sonic Frontiers. The game takes place after Sonic Forces and Team Sonic Racing, where Sonic, Amy, and Tails travel to the Starfall Islands in search of the Chaos Emeralds. Upon arrival, they find themselves separated and Sonic sets out to find and help his scattered friends, but as he uncovers the secrets of the island, he is pulled into another, larger goal.
Zing: One of the common problems with open worlds is that they are not populated enough. Do you think Starfall Isles will be one of the exceptions that proves the rule?
Takashi Iizuka: We’ve put a lot of effort into offering players a variety of activities while exploring the Starfall Isles. Sonic can fight powerful enemies, complete side quests, solve puzzles, climb huge structures, fish and test his 3D platforming skills in Cyberspace. Players can also enjoy platforming in the open area or take part in the new fishing mini-game – there really is a lot for players to explore.
Zing: Will fans look forward to familiar faces in the Sonic universe?
Takashi Iizuka: Yes – Sonic meets Amy, Tails and Knuckles during his adventure. New friendly faces will also appear on the Starfall Islands, including Elder Kok and Hermit Kok, who offer rewards for collecting collectibles.
Zing: What can we expect from Cyber Space levels? Will they please the corridor fans?
Takashi Iizuka: Cyber Space levels offer an exciting alternative to playing in the open areas of the Starfall Islands. Cyber Space is a tech space that gives players the opportunity to experience traditional Sonic gameplay by completing stages, entering portals, and completing platform challenges to advance the story. I think the combination of open area platforming and Cyber Space levels complement each other well and I hope fans really enjoy them.
Zing: Regular enemies probably won’t be a problem for Sonic. But what about bosses? Will fighting them be a real challenge? Could you provide an example here?
Takashi Iizuka: During his adventure, Sonic faces the Rangers and colossal enemies called Titans. We’ve been working hard to add more tension and strategy to the combat system you’ll be able to experience during these boss fights. The new combat system should be fluid and exciting, giving the player a freer approach to dealing with powerful enemies, including using new skills from the skill tree, combos, and special attacks.
Zing: Could you tell us more about the development tree that Sonic will have? How will the development process actually take place?
Takashi Iizuka: Instead of starting at full power, we deliberately made it so that players get stronger the more they explore the island. Throughout the game, players can earn skill points to unlock new abilities in the skill tree, improve their unique play style, and fight against powerful enemies. We think this is a really exciting addition to the series and a nice way to make players feel more powerful as they progress through the game.
Zing: Sonic Frontiers looks like a milestone in the series in every way. Aren’t you worried that the fans won’t accept the news you bring?
Takashi Iizuka: Of course, with any major change to a major franchise, one cannot help but wonder how players, especially longtime players, will react. However, we are confident that players will enjoy playing in the open area and doing all the things that come with it.
Zing: Last last question. Do you know any Czech games? If yes, how do you feel about them?
Takashi Iizuka: Definitely yes! The Czech Republic is making some fantastic games and we’re excited to continue introducing Sonic to Czech fans with Sonic Frontiers. We hope that our fans in the Czech Republic will really enjoy the game.
Source :Indian TV
