Sonic Frontiers: A Rift Between The Formulas

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and thank you for watching :)
Timestamps:
Part 1 - 01:45
Part 2 - 05:20
Part 3 - 08:29
Part 4 - 10:54
Part 5 - 15:12
Part 6 - 20:54
Part 7 - 26:45
Remixes used:
• Welcome to Station Squ...
• ｒｅｓｕｌｔ　＆　ｃｈｉｌｌ　Sonic L...

[@MajorJohnny]

For anyone asking for a review of update 3 I will most likely not be doing a whole video on that so.. Here are my brief thoughts: Most of the new character stuff is a bunch of ideas that are not fleshed out at all and as they are right now they are at most an interesting proof of concept for what they could do with them in the future but nothing worth noting. As far as the difficulty debacle goes all I have to say is that sonic team tried to crank up the difficulty to the max but forgot that their game wasn't built with that level of difficulty in mind so it ends up pushing the systems way past their limits and giving you pure raw jank instead, there's a couple of good ideas there for the trials and bosses but they do a terrible job of communicating to the player what they should do. Finally there's the new cyberspace levels and I would consider those to be some of the very best content this game has to offer, they're designed with the spindash in mind, are very open and often have their own interesting and fun unique gimmicks to them Not all of them are home runs but there's a good amount of great stuff in there and I'd highly recommend trying out the update just for them. This comment is not supposed to be a very elaborate or fleshed out review of it, it's just meant to communicate my general thoughts on the update for anyone that was wondering. Anyways, thanks for watching the video!

[@lupinthenerd439]

Yo bro nice video! I agree with most of what you said on the review and this conment (althought I enjoyed update 3 more than most and i didn't have a problem with the challenges themselves except king's trial) Good call on not msking a video on update 3 and not turning your channel into a sonic channel: last thing I want wish to a creator is to focus exclusively to one series, let alone with a toxic fandom like sonic

[@WanderingWaddler]

Here’s to hoping we can look back at Frontiers years from now and say, “It was good then, but it paved the way for greater things!”

[@sourlab]

Its crazy how well sonic team put the spindash with the boost in the same game with it actually kind of fitting

[@derple8524]

It's funny cause for years people argued with me that it'll never work. "Who's Laughing Now?"

[@sourlab]

@@derple8524 yeah after playing a bit with the spindash I was like how tf did they do that

[@hankosanko]

🤣🤣🤣

[@_Turtle_420]

It makes sonic like he is in sonic x. He can spin dash. And boost.

[@sourlab]

@@_Turtle_420 that kinda makes sence actually and as a sonic x fan I now appreciate it even more

[@IMZorkTheDork]

Not regurgitating information or common complaints made this video very refreshing, on top of the editing being well done.

[@whocaresaboutthename6850]

That's bc bro actually likes the game

[@IMZorkTheDork]

@@whocaresaboutthename6850 😢

[@This-is-a-commentt]

@@whocaresaboutthename6850 *confused confusing confusion*

[@RealBroccoliHour]

Besides maybe the part about Pontac & Graff. I see the same exact shit flung at them copy pasted from every video

[@This-is-a-commentt]

@@RealBroccoliHour what else can you say about em?

[@astariaj4520]

Lil tip to make the spindash more fun. While doing the spindash you hold LT and boost is RT. If you let go of LT while still holding RT (boost) sonic will do that trick thing he does. I hope you understand my explanation. It's makes spindash even more fun

[@redcrystal7x]

I feel like Frontiers wasn't perfect, but it was a step into an evolution of sorts. I personally think they should exclusively keep the "Air Boost" ability, but use the Spin Dash + momentum on the ground for their next title.

[@areakastudios6704]

To me, even if it's not the best sonic game, it's definitely the most important.

[@bluestar5812]

The air boost and deceleration options added in update 2 completed changed the way I play Frontiers. While not being physics based like SA1, it opened a lot of opportunities for player expression. ST is clearly testing this with the New Koco challenges, and the Final Horizon being built around the spin dash and the new deceleration settings.

[@existential_narwal9257]

I think they should make the boost into a light dash/air dash like the dash in spark the electric jester 3. Something that instantly speeds you up from low speeds but has a speed cap.

[@AK46supr]

Nah i like my freedom of choice with the boost as a speed choice to stay grounded & the spin dash as a choice when to apply momentum & go flying. I feel they did nearly perfect here just hope they refine it in the next

[@Arcad3n]

I knew kishimoto mentioned that he was going to play Spark 3 when someone asked him about it, but I didn’t know HE ACTUALLY CONFIRMED THAT HE PLAYED IT AND TOOK INSPIRATION FROM IT FOR UPDATE 3! After hearing about this I’m connecting a lot of dots about all those slopes in update 3 that you boost off of to gain height, and the loops in cyberspace with less scripting and a camera angle that stays behind sonic! (very Spark 3 things to include). It’s crazy to me that a dev team that used to look so stubborn and aloof to the fans, consistently giving us things we didn’t ask for and failing to execute them well, is truly, genuinely listening to us. It finally feels like the people making this series have realized what the appeal of the series is, and I couldn’t be happier. Also, this was an excellent video! Very thoroughly entertaining to watch, and for once I think the terms one of these videos tries to define are actually useful and don’t feel arbitrary. I think I will adopt these terms going forward in my discussions on platformers. Thank you!

[@dunkboyxd6618]

That’s actually super cool that he played spark 3

[@JadenFox9]

they listened to the haters or Classic fans in the 2010s, so I call bull on the listening because remember, this is Sonic, everyone here has an agenda and want completely different things

[@TyRendition]

so it is true that we are so back

[@GGAMER1337BR]

Man this is geniunely the best Sonic video i've seen in a while, i love how you don't chain yourself with overused terms that completely lost all meaning in the fandom (AKA: Momentum) You don't repeat what everyone's sick and tired of hearing, Momentum = good | Automation = bad You carve out your own termology and use that to inform the rest of the video! i honestly think that's amazing and that your content provides something that the comunity is sorely missing

[@PAHG2]

Something I wanna mention in terms of context sensitivity, depth, and Sonic Adventure 2 is that it's very similar to Frontiers, as stated in this video. SA2 DOES have depth, but very seldom uses it. Stages that come to mind when I think about this are Green Forest, Sky Rail, Crazy Gadget, and Final Rush. Those stages are designed in a way where the player can just go crazy and find different ways to tackle an obstacle, at least in some cases. I haven't played Frontiers, but from what I've seen, and from what has been said in this video, Frontiers is kinda similar to this. It uses its surroundings in a way that wasn't really meant for it and recontextualizes ways to approach it (i.e. the spindash, rail launching). This could make the open world segments, and other areas of the game, more fun and rewarding, ultimately adding depth. That's just my take though. I don't know if it even makes that much sense (at least in terms of what's explained in this video), but that's just how I see it :))

[@johntee9691]

Absolutely invredible video, never really thought of the differences in SA1 and 2 like that. Btw frontiers for me was always a cool game but after update 2 it got to be my favorite 3D sonic game specifically because of the freedom that offered

[@MrDanno]

I was actually shocked when I saw how little subs you have, I was fully under the impression I was watching some huge, well established sonic content creator. Your stuff is super high quality, it’s only a matter of time before you start exploding in popularity. Good luck with content creation my man!

[@sourlab]

I thought he had atleast 60k but nah ? Atleast the new algorithm now aday gives me a ton of underrated youtubers

[@whtevercomesfrst]

FINALLY SOMEONE SAID IT. Depth is a HUGE factor in sonic games that I been yearning for, for years we've suffered through stiff gameplay and sonic team actually cares now, I love it.

[@ShadowsCrawlDown]

Good job Sonic Team Now put him in a open city!! Maybe a open zone Station Square? With an open city full of buildings and structures, there would be a lot of places to integrate natural rails. They don’t have to just, float there in the air

[@corruptedteka]

Definitely one of the biggest things I want to see in the next big title is more varied environments, not just a esthetically but mechanically too ! It's one thing to have different aesthetic themes but you need to change what you do with level design based on those themes' unique elements, and not just superficially like a mechanic reskin. A city would be an amazing playground for spindashing and rail-launching ! Urban environments offer lotsa height and layouts to play with ^^

[@lupinthenerd439]

Oh yes Yakuza Sonic

[@LoadingError0]

i was actually a little taken aback when you talked about the core similarity between adventure and classic being context sensitivity, because that makes SO much more sense than just saying that “momentum” is the main link between the two

[@lordpeeps1]

This is such a fresh perspective i love it. Frontiers is my second favorite sonic game yet i see how the initial release was kind of a bland mess, but even then i could see that sonic team was trying to actually achieve something with the way it made me feel like i was back in the 2000s. Update 2 changed the whole game just wow. Great video

[@Theredblood]

With how it works in frontiers, the spindash is basically a re-skin of the old boost from games like unleashed (with a few changes of course like being able to turn left and right). If and when they make a new open world game, i hope that they keep the boost but make it more similar to how the spindash works in frontiers because, in my opinion, boost is the gameplay style that makes sonic feel the fastest compared to everything else

[@dracomalfoy6886]

They could keep both Make spindash as it is right now initially faster, but slowly loosing speed, not being stuck to the ground and adding the ability to increase speed going downhill Then make the boost keep you grounded for moments where you dont wanna fly high and at constant high speed, slower than the initial spindash but faster in flat terrain or uphill due to being a speed that mantains through time Now you would get a gameplay where you can alternate constantly between those two to use all the posibilities of the open zone

[@TyRendition]

wonder howd this work in cyberspace like levels.@@dracomalfoy6886

[@Felixman128]

The context sensitivity aspect makes this video stand out from all the rest. Amazing content!

[@nightygamer11x]

I haven't played Frontiers yet (Mostly because of the price and my limited hardware) but this video makes me want to play the game even more, from the bottom of my heart thank you.

[@sourlab]

Do you have a ps4 for me it works great

[@OnePolishMoFo]

I feel like I'm the only one who likes how Sonic controls in the cyberspace levels. I like how fast he is. He's not too fast. Not too slow. I can actually react to what's happening on screen. S ranking every level was fun. Especially when they're all pretty short. I don't mind trying perfect a level when they're only a few minutes long.

[@rbwjakfjenwbw1009]

This is one of the best Sonic video essays I've ever seen. The way you laid out each concept and seamlessly connected them to the next part of the video was brilliant, and it's clear you are very thoughtful about how and why some things work and why people prefer those things, something that's sorely missing in the fandom. Instant sub. Also I'm very interested to hear what you think of Update 3 with regards to Sonic Team's move towards depth. I won't spoil anything but I believe that a lot of changes made in that update are leaning even further towards the depth side of the spectrum.

[@Bowblax2]

this video was amazing! I hope you also cover update 3 cause I'd love to hear your thoughts on it (don't feel the need to rush it out tho if you do decide to talk about it)

[@TehJellyLord]

They didn’t just use boost as the basis for Frontiers. Frontiers is a boost game based on Forces, which is a boost game based on LOST WORLD… which in case you didn’t know, is not a boost game. The boost gameplay in Forces and Frontiers (specifically Cyber Space) feels so off because it’s still using Lost World’s gameplay engine, which is so backwards because that game plays the least like what I’d expect a Sonic game to play like. Honestly for the next game, I need them to just make the gameplay from scratch entirely. I do not want every future open world game to feel like some updated version of Lost World forever. This is a whole new formula, it deserves a completely new character controller, new physics, etc.

[@zandwermm]

Holy crap i expected this video to have like millions of views lol, this is really well made

[@TheAlphazoneYT]

Thumbnail is exactly what I feel when playing Frontiers. Literally feels like the game could be called Sonic Adventure Unleashed. The addition of the spin dash & update 3’s multiple characters in the open world feel like elements of Sonic Adventure. The Modern aesthetic, combat, cyberspace, & Titan battles borrow similar elements from Unleashed. The “phantom rush” mechanic feels like a stand in for an Unleashed gauge. Not to mention the game makes callbacks to both Adventure & Unleashed specifically.

[@navaha6510]

I personally had the same issues as you did with frontiers, except maybe the cyberspace levels (the ones in 3D that is). The only 3d sonic game I played before frontiers was sonic colors so I didn't really know about the momentum and spindash techs of SA1, but I really think that's what I'm like a lot in future sonic games, and I think that's why I didn't completely hate frontiers at the launch. I didn't play it since I finished the story yeah, but I liked what was good about it. But know that I know about all those new things that they added, thanks to your video, I think I'm gonna enjoy doing à new game +. So Even if it wasn't the original purpose of this video, thank you for making it 😁😁

[@Terminal_Apotos]

I liked Frontiers when it came out but after a Few months all it’s problems became too apparent to bear. Traversing the Islands was Boring, Platforming was Super Basic and Automated, The Combat and Bosses were Mindless button mashing and too reliant on Spectacle. Then Update 2 came out and it felt like the Shackles were finally removed thanks to the Momentum Sliders and Spindash. Traversing the islands was finally fun and the Koco Challenges were actually Engaging instead of Automated. It gave me a Sliver of Hope for the Future but I was still mostly negative. Finally Update 3 Dropped and it was almost Everything I wanted to Base Game to be. I don’t want to write a Whole Essay so let’s just say I’m Hopeful for the Future of this Franchise.

[@StriderStryker]

I never thought that a hardcore Sonic fan gets hyped about the legendary spindash move and make a deep analysis video about. _This is truly a Sonic fan moment, right here._

[@vjthehandsome5659]

Honestly, your opinions about SA2 were what I was thinking ever since I played it. You went really in-depth into this discussion and articulated everything clearly and concisely, great video.

[@dracomalfoy6886]

This vid was amazing, i hope in the future they keep both the spindash and boost, it could work well Boost as a constant speed that keeps you grounded Spindash being affected by terrain, initially faster than boost, then decreasing becoming slower than it, and in uphill it looses more speed and uphill it gains more becoming faster than boost again This combination would give you two main states, boosting and spindash similar to how the classic games gave you normal running and spindash

[@undoblue2604]

this video was extremely well put together, and i think it’s safe to say that you really did manage to put a lot of weird feelings and ideas into understandable and concrete words. your explanations were always spot on and gave a very objective yet critical view of this franchise and all its game mechanics. id say you deserve a lot more recognition and subscribers for such quality content. you definitely earned my subscription and appreciation. well done brother 💯🔥

[@yunguboa]

this is one of the best videos about sonic i've seen in a LONG time. genuinely.

[@hotcocoabomb_]

The best part about the Jump Deceleration slider was the fact that they didn't advertise it. Like the Spindash was advertised and what everyone was hype for, but after update 2 you just boot the game and theres a notification that's like "oh btw you got momentum now" Like, THAT was wild lol

[@esdrasreis3481]

19:29 Okay guy, hear me out, writers don't need previous experiences with the frachise they're writing for, usually it's an other person job to check that writers "inexperience with series" and makes sure it stays consistent My pint came a bit wonky, There's a J reviews video that does my same point, I think it's his Lost World one?

[@ShadowsCrawlDown]

Right. It’s mostly the fact that those writers sucked ASS

[@mrfox5117]

Frontiers is interesting because it released in a rough state, where it really felt like an awkward shuffle into a new era, instead of something confident, like Adventure, and Unleashed. Feedback really helped it find it's worth with them taking criticism to heart with updates 2 and 3. It is honestly crazy to me how the developers did not understand, until after release, a open world Sonic game needs momentum mechanics to really succeed. Despite this, Updated Frontiers works BECAUSE it is a mix of automation/boost mechanics and momentum/adventure mechanics

[@Someguy6851]

Sonic team: oh you don’t like our game? How unfortunate… for you

[@mmy2k48]

Been saying what you've said about Sonic Adventure in comparison to Sonic Adventure 2 for years, felt good to hear someone else say it. And yeah, it's really crazy seeing Sonic Team actually listen to the fans for once when it's been so long since Sonic had a good game. Great video!!

[@fernando98322]

I think your definitions of the two different styles, Depth and Precision, are perfect and I completely agree (SA2B is still peak tho). And your "review" of the initial state of Frontiers (until the section of Rail Grinding) is basically how I felt about the game too (screw Chaos Island fr)

[@juliocervantes751]

I notice that people that have SA1 as their favorite 3D game have sophisticated taste and a high level of intelligence 🧐 But on a serious note, you put how I’ve felt about the 3D games into words that I never could. Excellent video.

[@asukabruxinha1301]

i felt like you should have mentioned stuff like the new platform challenges they added into some parts of the open zone in update 2, not to mention the addition of the power boost on cyberspace which does fix the slow speed on the 2d stages, but this is still a great video

[@yehaamedia3336]

Bro bro called me out at 0:06 toy story spiderman and sonic were everything to me back them and still are very important to me almost 20 years later ❤

[@HyperSonic1999orJTH]

I see so it's not just momentum, you need context sensitivity too. You break out of the intended pathway that the first time player uses and make your own pathway, which requires knowledge and memorization of the game that the first time player has yet to gain.

[@robind506]

this is a really well-made video, liked the editing and your sense of humor was casual and didnt draw attention to itself beyond the point. best video ever

[@rickyrackey7930]

Can you imagine how hard Shadow’s theme would go in the sequel? David has Everett Jason has Johnny and Kirk NEEDS Kellin

[@andreapiccolo8199]

Incredibly enjoyable and thoughtful video, this is the type of quality content that I am on KZbin for. Thank you

[@kiw7304]

This is straight up one of the best videos I've seen discussing the design of Sonic games. I hope your channel starts becoming more popular, it'd be well deserved.

[@djroscurro9859]

When you started listing the issues with frontiers' overworld, I was curious because of how much I enjoyed myself with the game. I agreed that these were problems, so why did I still have so much fun? Aside from personal taste, of course. So I took a look back at how I was playing the game myself. I for one, love Sonic's controls in Frontiers and the updates just made the game one of my favorites in the series. Sonic's controls are tight which let me get used to them quick. So I was able to try stuff out. Then I realized that I was doing everything in my power to just.. do my own thing with the level design. I did NOT complete most of the obstacles in the overworld in their intended way. I either did it in a manner that skips the lengthier automation, or in a manner that gave me a good challenge. Ironically, I like to think this was intended given there's rarely any concrete methods that lock you into going through these obstacles the intended way. Though that could be me giving the game too much credit, as I am one to usually try to meet games at their level. You know it's a good video when it makes you think about the way you do things like this.

[@supercyclone8342]

This was a phenomenal video! You've expressed my thoughts on design philosophy better than I could and I'm a game developer!

[@jonathancountry4735]

Finally sonic. Now review the DLC

[@chadisnotachad]

I appreciate you isolating the specific concept about momentum in Sonic games.

[@a3l5o7n9]

I was very impressed by this video, and while I do feel differently about certain aspects, I think you really nailed that distinction between Depth and Precision. Thanks for bringing such an interesting subject to my attention!

[@mega_sulten]

sonic frontiers was the first sonic game I ever played, and I thought it was great! And I didn't even know there was a thing called rail launching. My left controller kept dragging me to the left, which made it really hard to play, so I felt like the cyber space areas was just hard and difficult. I also didn't know that I could spindash, my way around. I first discoverd that in the newest update. But it's one of my favourtie things to do! This video made me really want to play the game once more, just to try out all these cool things you did, like skipping so much in the cyber space areas, to make your time so short. And at the end of this video I got really emotional because I just love Sonic so much, great video I loved it!

[@ECGCblu]

Amazing video dude, loved how accurately you were able to pinpoint the varying design philosophies throughout the series’ history and how they apply to the most recent installments, that’s the kinda thing that I really appreciate when it comes to discussing video games and I’ll definitely be sticking around to see more of what you put out. Great work!!

[@johnathan7313]

I’m the kid who grew up specifically with sonic x and almost nothing else aside from the mobile versions of the classic games and mania later on

[@sourlab]

Here's my history with sonic I played the mobile ports got stuck in sonic 1 finished sonic two after like 3 months finished sonic 1 after then discovered sonic cps port and I loved it and finished that too then I got a ps4 and ........played forces yeah I wasn't an Internet guy as a kid so I didn't know every sonic game so I finished forces then I finally started using KZbin like 2yrs ago got to know the community I learned all the lore yeah everything then sonic frontiers released change my life as a sonic fan and got me to here

[@CaptainSwag]

This gotta be one my favorite Sonic video essays. You basically summarized the differences between the Adventure and Boost formulas, and the problem I had with Frontiers opting to use boost, instead of the Adventure formula. I really hope they'll make the next game even better than Frontiers.

[@the39wow]

this video just proves that we as fans dont know what we want no matter how much we pretend we do

[@htttps_trippy]

I've been trying to explain the idea of "depth vs precision" to sonic fans for a year but they'd always call me stupid! I called the dichotomy "Expressive vs Arcade gameplay" which I think is less clear. Definitely going to be using your terminology from now on lol! Very refreshing to see a well thought out video on the topic, even if my preferences exist on the opposite side of the spectrum XD (Although with update 3 it's clear us precision fans haven't been forgotten ;))

[@invalidfile]

If you havent played the new cyberspace levels in Update 3, you should play them. I think you might like them.

[@MajorJohnny]

Oh I'm loving them

[@invalidfile]

@@MajorJohnny yeah, especially one of the chemical plant ones with the ramps

[@sourlab]

@@invalidfile I think it was 3_4 I think thats the name that's definitely my favourite the chemical plant one and the one with the remixed spodimeter and the one with the rocket boost and the one with the hole map being cars damn I love all of them

[@arshyarshy4414]

i love how you analyzed what momentum is because every youtuber/ fan keeps bringing it up without actually knowing what they want, overall great video!!

[@typreegamingtpg2198]

This is the most honest review for Sonic Frontiers I have ever seen on KZbin.

[@Evan_Wehmeyer]

Thought this had 200k views, not 200. Great job! I appreciate your saying something unique!

[@sonicadv27]

I think saying SA2 is a series of hallways is a disservice to how the new gameplay moves introduced by it create new gameplay possibilities. It's not about exploiting the map design, but SA1 wasn't either, at least intentionally. The spin dash allowing the player to take advantage of the crammed level design was a fluke similar to the rail launching. SA2 made an effort to actually give the player proper alternative routes instead of having them spin dash their way around the level design, hence the larger stages. Yes, it can be argued that the game still doesn't offer too much in the way of alternative routes but they are there. In fact, i'd argue SA2's *bespoke* level design is a bit more open ended than SA1 just because most of SA1's alternative gameplay options boild down to jumping outside the intended path with a spin dash. That gives it some extra depth like you said but i can't see how that was planned. Again, much like rail launching in Frontiers. SA1 and SA2 are two games of pretty similar design philosophy, it's just that SA2 tried to steer the player back to low level decision making and forced the player to engage with the obstacle coursing a bit more. I'm not of the camp that believes Sonic should just be about speed and exploiting said speed, the core gameplay is still that of a platformer. The best Sonic games are always the ones that offer a good balancing act of both speed and platforming.

[@lupinthenerd439]

Oh man sa2 levels are so open, ever time i play them it feels like I'mplaying them for the first time (because they linear and boring)

[@Handepsilon]

Watching you talk about rail launching does make me appreciate the game's updates more. Not only did they leave the rail launching up. They made some platforming challenges that are basically utilizing it later on

[@upcdowncleftcrightc9429]

Well done video. If Sonic team were to design the next game from the ground up with the principles you laid out for taking advantage of context sensivity with 3d momentum platforming, the next game in this series could be the "Sonic 2" of 3d sonic games. Meaning, a huge step forward which makes it an alltime classic. (Notice i didnt say sonic 3. Sonic 3 in the franchise represents a mastery of all the fundamental design principles of the classic formula and i would expect that out of a later entry).

[@Wepospalient]

Great video! A lot of your points were very well articulated, and your break down of depth vs precision put into words very well a lot of the feelings I had about Sonic's movement in various games.

[@jazerc2355]

Great essay Dunkey, love to see new perspectives on the community

[@dantrunkyrusuke4772]

This got to be the most interesting Sonic video I've seen in a while

[@corruptedteka]

That was a crazy cool take ! Now this makes me think differently about the parts i liked and didnt like about Frontiers ! I've never really seen anyone break the gameplay characteristics down like this, so interesting !

[@telekinesticman]

Your closing statement about defining what we like/dislike in games is very important. This is something I'm often pushing for in my own work. I dont think describing our desires as "context sensitivity" is quite right as a broad, blanket term, but it is fundamentally correct - we want Sonic to actually interact with the terrain in meaningful ways. This means we need good controls *and* good level design to take advantage of them.

[@MajorJohnny]

Well the context sensitivity thing was merely the description that worked best for me but I encourage people to go find their own definitions and figure out what makes certain things generally click more with them!

[@telekinesticman]

@@MajorJohnny Have you seen the Matthewmatosis video on context sensitivity? It's incredible, and has changed my outlook on how I took about games quite a lot.

[@MajorJohnny]

I actually hadn't seen that one until just now but the context sensitivity he's talking about and mine are quite different from what I can tell, his is more about context sensitive *actions* while mine is about context sensitivite *mechanics* Still a pretty good video but actions are a much broader concept than mechanics and his video seemed to be particularly focused on how it related to controls and responsiveness from what I could tell.

[@EdgardoJCruz-dk5kv]

Now I am curious of your thoughts about the Drop Dash, in regards to your momentum argument from earlier in the video, and the fact that along with both the Boost & Spin Dash, it’s also in Sonic Frontiers. Lastly whoa more Sonic fans NEED to watch this video for at least for the momentum discussion alone.

[@LamplighterFan283]

Hidden gem of a youtuber hope your channel grows well (also I agree with your opinions I was considering playing update 2 but your video has assured me that its actually worth going back to frontiers to finish it!)

[@jorenaldo]

I was never really interested in the so called momentum of the adventure games, however this video really sold it's importance to me, simoly because it exemplifies what the exact same game feels like with or without mechanics that compliment the terrain. Having played frontiers when it was first released, after discovering the rail launch, and then now after the third update this really is a game changer. Hope SEGA leans into it even further

[@sentrogaspers9813]

Can I say this analysis really well written and objectively interesting to discuss? You see something that others didn't. You pointed out fair and valid reasons without trashing one another. You explained in a simple and fun way yet to me, you opened my eyes to new and interesting observation. You presented the potential without too obsessive. You speak all the facts and potentials clearly. That's kind of rare to these days especially in sonic discourse. And the fact it randomly showed up in my feed(youtube algorithm obv), I can say I'm glad watching this. I dunno if you were willing to do another vid after update 3, but I'm glad you made this video. And i salute you for this Note : 12:51 made my day 🤣

[@MajorLeagueZebra]

Now this is good sonic content, genuine conversation being had with well thought out research and info

[@robomike276]

I really like your analysis and understanding of platformers and Sonic. I completely agree with what you said about 3D Sonic and momentum, and how not a single one actually used it the way the genesis games+mania did. I feel like you should have shown Unleashed and Generations as well when you said "While momentum is technically in these games", because those games are programed to handle jumping off, and running up and down slopes in similar scenarios. It still ties back into that by what you mean by all of them never make you think about using Sonic's physics in these games.

[@Harry-potter7]

excellent video! actually frontiers is my favourite game since it launched! and also you can please talk about update 3?

[@journie3042]

You forgot to mention the new update 2 Koko platforms, those are genuinely good

[@haruno100]

Sonic Frontiers looked like a playground for Sonic Team to test some ideas and concepts, for example, I like how boost is now a method to run faster but to stay on the ground and the spindash is another to get faster, but with momentum and flying by everything.

[@asciiangel7583]

Your depth v precision concept perfectly contextualizes the sonic games. & i didn’t even know abt those physics changes in the frontiers updates. i gave up on the dlc but i may give frontiers another try after this video. great video! can’t wait to see ur thoughts on the dlc haha

[@atspeechless545]

Man thank you for the video, this is really good. Made me realize why I like frontiers in contrast to other games

[@gnoLeDwerdnA]

Really great video the only one I’ve seen that properly explains what the spindash and turning off jump deacceleration added to the game, even on supposedly hardcore gaming forums people will talk about the spindash like it’s just the boost or the dreadful one from Lost World when in reality it’s a massively supped up SA1 spindash that rewrites the entire feel of the game for the better

[@trolmite6149]

Frontiers is the closest we ever got to a new Adventure style game. The boost works quite differently here. Plus we now have multiple playable characters. No branching storylines though. This along with Speed Simulator on Roblox, which has good physics.

[@cybersandalphon]

Very good vid and I like how you presented your points! I think this vid made me realize for what exact reason SA2 never clicked with me, even

[@CrimsonSkyLine]

Fantastic video,memes were indeed very funny,the stuff about the blue dog turning into ball was great too,but memes were very funny,indeed,made me go hehe

[@shiritsuskorone405]

Thanks you so much for the video! Your style is so calm and easy to listen to, and as you said yourself you want to help others with new terms to better express what one like in a game, and it certainly did that for me! It was very informative and funny, and even though I am quite 'bad' at gaming, I really want to try out some crazy shortcuts know in Frontiers haha I am also so hopeful for the future of Sonic with all the recent positive changes, maybe we even get a new open world that is an even better blend of depth and precise gameplay with actual "Sonic Leveldesign" in mind for it, that would be a blast! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, if you decide to make another Sonic video I sure as hell will be watching it!

[@Rman1228]

I have to say man, this was a very good analysis/in-depth overview of Sonic Frontiers and the series as a whole. I always love looking at fresh new perspectives of this franchise that doesn't just regurgitate all the same tired talking points everyone else has. Definitely earned a sub from me; thank you for putting to words what I cannot!

[@DayOfTobias]

Amazing video, your thoughts are amazing to hear. You seem so down to earth and cool! ❤

[@solbrando]

found this video at the perfect time because i couldn’t properly fully explain what made me like adventure era gameplay more than boost sonic games. i knew i liked exploring the levels more and the physics but i mostly said that i didn’t like boost because i was bad at it, but seeing you dissect the two styles i can see clearer why boost isn’t for me.

[@RaiJolt2]

This has got to be one of the best sonic gameplay deconstruction videos I’ve watched. Super well done!

[@KARS215]

My biggest issue with Frontiers wasn’t even Sonic’s physics. It’s the level design and art direction. When the game was first revealed someone said it looks like Sonic in an Unreal Engine test level, & that’s so true 😂.

[@dave9515]

This was a really good video and hope as time your channel grows. Although one critique i have is how you say rail launching was the only momentum mechanic when you forgot about boost launching in the main game. It wasn't perfect and wasn't easy but you could always manipulate geometry to do crazy launches and skips and speedrunners broke the game even more making it even more fun with HSP and slingshot. Frontiers had this super solid foundation to begin with and i also disagree the linear challenges clashed with the open zone when i think they were going for making massive fun playgrounds inside the zones like basically trying to play into sonic being stylish and encouraging players to use terrain and stylishly move around the zones meaning the challenges in the zone were meant to help keep this flow of style and substance they were attempting to go for. I also agree update 2 really turned this game into something amazing and update 3 is also great imo. This is all i had to say and i really liked the video. Also if you haven't tried it yet spindashing makes the 2d levels really fun in cyberspace aside from the one rail grinding one. I also hear the new cyberspaces stages in update 3 are amazing and you might really like those if you haven't tried them yet.

[@amandaslough125]

I agree with the overall criticism of the momentum debacle. That's actually a really good way to look at it. However, I disagree that SA2 does a poor job at being in the middle. I think it offers the precision platforming done well, and still has areas where you can offer some depth. The rail grinding tower in a space stage comes to mind. And even if the action stages lean higher on the precision side than you'd prefer, the treasure hunting stages are literally designed to offer you the chance to flex your muscles for that depth itch. Because I don't personally find joy in the need to "cheese" the physics and push them to their limits, but I know the games should have the options to do that for others. I do prefer the concept of precision platforming, which is why I highly prefer SA2 over its predecessor. However, I don't simply lump it up with enjoyment to boost games. Because while Unleashed was really good, I didn't care for the others other until Frontiers. And while I agree with that momentum complaint, I do think SA2 plays a lot differently since you still deal with your inertia. The boost games you can stop on a dime and it feels really stiff. However, the adventure titles have multiple speed tiers and you will still run for a bit even after landing from a jump and such. That "momentum" or inertia is what I vastly prefer. More varied acceleration. That and the slide. I loved the storybook games, which were beta boost titles, but the boost games relying on the boost for everything and not Sonic's wider moveset with the slide (and maybe bringing the bounce bracelet back) make them less fun. Even if it's less viable options (because let's be real, you're just abusing the spindash everywhere otherwise in SA), I like being tested with a variety of a moveset (I'm a Zelda player for a reason, and hint: it's not for the overrated open world ones). But yea, as you mentioned, update 2 and the new setting were great!

[@RatchetClankFan112]

I love Sonic Frontiers and it makes me hopeful for the future of Sonic Franchise

[@Goku22411]

Welcome back, it’s been a while. I subbed after the Usopp video.

[@SFproductions1]

this may be a hot take, but Sonic Unleashed's daytime level formula is still my favorite in the entire series.

[@Miju001]

Oh hi there

[@SFproductions1]

@@Miju001 hi

[@TnhGameRemixes]

11:38 that's it. i subscribed. that deserves it.

[@Syper7]

Great video and VERY nice to know about context sensitivity

[@WeeAddy]

The Precision VS Depth explanation, then showcasing that with how Frontiers was VS how it is now, was very well explained. Whilst I liked Frontiers as it was before any updates, Update 2 definitely busted the doors open for how mad fun it could be. I think, though, it's important to have both. Update 2's jump deceleration and Spindash are great for me as "completion rewards," because whilst it may not be ideal, Frontiers wasn't built with those in mind. Rail launching was in base game, sure, but much more situational. As such, I think having those updates on throughout the whole game from release day, whilst fun, would've trivialised any "platforming" or challenge it did have. That said, doesn't mean it's better to not have them. In fact, I'm enjoying it so much more with them here, and it absolutely made 100%'ing the game after Update 2 bearable. I sincerely hope these kind of mechanics return in the next game, but part of me still hopes that it won't be too free in terms of traversal so an element of challenge is still there. But your explanation of why these mechanics are fun, and disputing the difference between the "momentum" argument by using Depth/Precision instead, and why these updated mechanics are great for the series, are some things I couldn't even think to put into words - excellent work on this video and analysis!

[@webbbaker6872]

Great video, you make an interesting point about SA2 I don't think you are necessarily wrong but I personally really enjoy some of SA2's levels.

[@Retrosparks]

This was a really good video, seriously great job man 👍🏾

[@spark9189]

the one thing about sonic frontiers that i do hope changes dramatically for the next game is the combat, mainly because i know that sega is capable of making devil may cry level combat 28 times over for a single game because i have played pso2