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Sonic Frontiers

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
Sonic Frontiers
Sonic Frontiers cover
Developers
Sonic Team
Publishers
Sega
Engines
Hedgehog Engine 2
Release dates
Windows November 8, 2022
Reception
Metacritic 75
OpenCritic 71
IGDB 72
Taxonomy
Monetization DLC, One-time game purchase
Microtransactions Boost, Time-limited
Modes Singleplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Third-person
Controls Direct control
Genres Action, Open world, Platform
Art styles Cartoon
Themes Fantasy
Series Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic Frontiers on HowLongToBeat
Sonic Frontiers on IGDB
Sonic Frontiers guide on StrategyWiki
Sonic Frontiers on MobyGames
Sonic Frontiers on Wikipedia
Sonic the Hedgehog fangames (series)
Sonic CD 1995
Sonic's Schoolhouse 1996
Sonic 3D Blast (series)
Sonic & Knuckles Collection 1997
Sonic R (series)
Sonic Adventure (series)
Sonic Heroes 2004
Sonic Mega Collection Plus 2006
Sonic Riders 2006
Sonic Racing (series)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2010
Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine 2010
Sonic Spinball 2010
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 2011
Sonic 3 & Knuckles 2011
Sonic Generations 2011
Sonic CD (2012) 2012
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I 2012
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II 2012
Sonic Dash 2014
Sonic Lost World 2015
Sonic Mania 2017
Sonic Forces 2017
Sonic the Hedgehog (Mobile Decompilation) 2021
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Mobile Decompilation) 2021
Sonic Colors: Ultimate 2021
Sonic Origins 2022
Sonic Frontiers 2022
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog 2023
Sonic Superstars 2023
Sonic Dream Team 2023
Sonic X Shadow Generations 2024

Sonic Frontiers is a singleplayer third-person action platform game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega. It is the first entry in the Sonic the Hedgehog series to include open world elements by allowing travel across several open-ended islands, as well as being the first to include a dedicated combat system since Sonic Unleashed, though it still includes linear gameplay closer to more recent entries in the series through its Cyber Space levels.

The PC version of the game was released on Steam on November 8, 2022, and later on the Epic Games Store on November 21, 2023.[1]

The game received free updates throughout 2023. The first of these was the Sights, Sounds, and Speed update, released on March 22. It included a Battle Rush mode in which players battle every enemy, mini-boss, and boss in the game back-to-back, Cyber Space Challenges in which they play through the eponymous stages in a similar fashion, a photo mode, a Jukebox that allows players to listen to 13 Sonic tracks from the beginning with 40 more available through collectibles, and other improvements.[2] The second was the Sonic's Birthday Bash update, released on June 23, the 32nd anniversary of the Sonic series. Its additions included New Game Plus, optional birthday-themed decorations, score challenges, and the return of a long-time Sonic gameplay staple, the Spin Dash.[3] The third and final update was the Final Horizon update, released on September 28. It added a storyline that redoes the base game's finale and adds new playable characters, as well as new challenges.[4]

Sonic Frontiers' modding scene is active, and Hedge Mod Manager, which is used for all other Hedgehog Engine games on PC, serves as the main way to install and update mods easily and tweak the game further.

General information

Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Epic Games Store
Epic Games Launcher
Digital Deluxe Edition also available.
Windows
Gamesplanet logo.svg
Icon overlay.png
Digital Deluxe Edition also available.
Windows
Humble Store
Icon overlay.png
Digital Deluxe Edition also available.
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Digital Deluxe Edition also available.
Windows
All versions require Denuvo Anti-Tamper DRM.

Monetization

Type Notes
DLC Various consumable items and enhancements are available for purchase to be used in-game.
One-time game purchase Requires an upfront purchase to access.

Microtransactions

Type Notes
Boost The Digital Deluxe Edition includes the Explorer's Treasure Box, containing numerous items for expediting progress.
Time-limited Players who pre-ordered the game were able to receive the Adventurer's Treasure Box, containing several items for enhancing Sonic.

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
Adventurer's Treasure Box Contains Skill Points, Red Seeds of Power, and Blue Seeds of Defense.
Exclusive to pre-orders.
Windows
Explorer's Treasure Box Contains Amy's, Knuckles', and Tails' Memory Tokens, Portal Gears, Chaos Emerald Vault Keys, and additional gloves and shoes for Sonic.
Included with the Digital Deluxe Edition.
Windows
Sonic Adventure 2 Shoes Changes Sonic's shoes to match their appearance from Sonic Adventure 2. Available to players who subscribed to Sega's newsletter before January 31, 2023. Made available for free on May 24, 2023.[5]
Windows
Monster Hunter Collaboration Pack Contains Rathalos and Felyne Rathalos outfits from Monster Hunter for Sonic and a Hunter's BBQ set mini-game at fishing spots. Available for free.
Windows
The Adventurer's Treasure Box and Explorer's Treasure Box DLC must be installed before starting a new game. If installed after completing the tutorial area, the content will not be validated.[6]
Outfits won't be displayed in Super Sonic form or in pre-rendered cutscenes.[7]
Four DLC items are exclusive to Japan, and were only available for the PlayStation and Nintendo Switch versions under limited time conditions.[Note 1] They are unavailable for the PC version without a mod.

Add Japan and platform exclusive DLC to the PC version

Download JP Exclusive DLC mods
Requires Hedge Mod Manager.

Essential improvements

Skip intro videos

Boot Directly to Title

Using Hedge Mod Manager

  1. Go to settings and change Game to Sonic Frontiers at the bottom left drop-down panel.
  2. Go to the Codes Tab and click on Download Community Codes.
  3. Under System, toggle Boot Directly to Title.
  4. Apply changes by pressing the Save or Save and Play button.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows %APPDATA%\SEGA\SonicFrontiers\steam\x64\screen_setting.xml
%APPDATA%\SEGA\SonicFrontiers\steam\<user-id>\option\optiondata
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/1237320/pfx/[Note 2]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows %APPDATA%\SEGA\SonicFrontiers\steam\<user-id>\[Note 3]
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/1237320/pfx/[Note 2]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
Epic Games Launcher
Steam Cloud

Video

Display and graphics settings
Display and graphics settings

Graphics feature State Notes
Widescreen resolution
Aspect ratios narrower than 16:9, as well as cutscenes, are letterboxed.
Multi-monitor
[8]
Ultra-widescreen
Aspect ratios wider than 16:9 are pillarboxed. This can be bypassed, see Ultra-widescreen.[9]
4K Ultra HD
UI is rendered at 1920x1080.[10]
Field of view (FOV)
Referred to as "Camera angle". A slider is available.
Windowed
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
[11]
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Options for FXAA or TAA.
High-fidelity upscaling
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
60 FPS
Options for 30 or 60 FPS. Cutscenes are locked at 30 FPS and can be unlocked, see Frame rate (FPS).
120+ FPS
Frame rate is capped at max. 60 FPS and can be unlocked, see Frame rate (FPS).
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.
Ray tracing (RT)

Ultra-widescreen

By default, aspect ratios wider than 16:9 are pillarboxed
Adjust Aspect Ratio to Resolution

Using Hedge Mod Manager

  1. Go to settings and change Game to Sonic Frontiers at the bottom left drop-down panel.
  2. Go to the Codes Tab and click on Download Community Codes.
  3. Under Graphics, toggle Adjust Aspect Ratio to Resolution (experimental).
  4. Apply changes by pressing the Save or Save and Play button.

Notes

As of 2023.06.30, some issues remain:
  • Certain UI effects are rendered at the correct aspect ratio, but will misalign due to the main UI still being 16:9.
  • Certain UI elements are still rendered at 16:9 and will misalign or stretch.
  • Certain UI elements will be cut off incorrectly at wider aspect ratios. (ex. Jukebox)
  • Pre-rendered cutscenes will stretch to your aspect ratio.
  • The letterboxing during cutscenes will end up blocking the view at wider aspect ratios, it is highly recommended to use the Disable In-Game Letterboxing code to remove it.
  • The expected aspect ratio will only apply to a newly set resolution when you re-enter the resolution list and select the same resolution again.
  • Vignette (the circular shadowing effect on the screen) is still rendered at 16:9, it is highly recommended to use the Disable Vignette code to remove it.


Frame rate (FPS)

Disable Frame Rate Limiter

Using Hedge Mod Manager

  1. Go to settings and change Game to Sonic Frontiers at the bottom left drop-down panel.
  2. Go to the Codes Tab and click on Download Community Codes.
  3. Under Graphics, toggle Disable Framerate Limiter (experimental) and Disable Framerate Limiter in Cutscenes (experimental).
  4. Apply changes by pressing the Save or Save and Play button.

Notes

Some cutscenes will still operate at 30 FPS due to audio sync issues.
As of 2023.04.09, some issues remain:
  • The game speed can fluctuate.
  • The final QTE for the second Titan boss fight takes a long time to show up.
  • The spawn point in Cyber Space 4-3 will throw you into an invisible wall.

Force 4K pre-rendered cutscenes

Improves quality and reduces rendering artifacts in pre-rendered cutscenes.
Force 4K Video Playback[citation needed]

Using Hedge Mod Manager

  1. Go to settings and change Game to Sonic Frontiers at the bottom left drop-down panel.
  2. Go to the Codes Tab and click on Download Community Codes.
  3. Under Graphics, toggle Force 4K Video Playback.
  4. Apply changes by pressing the Save or Save and Play button.

Input

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Tab and Esc cannot be used.
Mouse acceleration
Negative mouse acceleration is always enabled.
Mouse sensitivity
A slider is available, though the effects are limited to due to the above negative mouse acceleration severely limiting possible range of sensitivity.
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
X-axis and Y-axis inversion is available.
Controller
Controller support
Full controller support
Controller remapping
Controller sensitivity
A slider is available.
Controller Y-axis inversion
X-axis and Y-axis inversion is available.
Controller types
XInput-compatible controllers
Xbox button prompts
Impulse Trigger vibration
PlayStation controllers
DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers are supported (Steam Input needs to be activated).
PlayStation button prompts
Light bar support
Adaptive trigger support
DualSense haptic feedback support
Connection modes
, Wireless (Bluetooth)
Generic/other controllers
Button prompts
Supports Switch Pro Controller (Steam Input needs to be activated).
Additional information
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M

Audio

Sound settings
Sound settings

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Sliders for Master, Music, Sound effects, and Voices.
Surround sound
Plays up to 5.1.[12]
Subtitles
All text and voice languages are interchangable, but due to differences in English and Japanese scripts, the subtitles may not represent what the characters are actually saying.
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Royalty free audio
A licensed song, "Vandalize" by ONE OK ROCK, plays during the second half of the end credits when playing on Easy or Normal difficulty.

Localizations

Language settings
Language settings
English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish and Russian subtitles are synched to the English voices, while the Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Korean subtitles are synched to the Japanese voices.
Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Polish
Portuguese
Fan translation by David Pires. Nexusmods download. Gamebanana download.
Brazilian Portuguese
Russian
A fan overhaul of the official locailzation which fixes some of the translation errors is available here.
Spanish
Ukrainian
Fan translation is available here.

VR support

3D modes State Notes
Nvidia 3D Vision
See Helix Mod: Sonic Frontiers.

Issues fixed

Enable Unicode UTF-8 for worldwide language support.[13]
  1. Go to Control Panel.
  2. Click on "Change date, time, or number formats".
  3. Switch to the "Administrative" tab.
  4. Click on "Change system locale...".
  5. Check "Beta: Use Unicode UTF-8 for worldwide language support".
  6. Press OK and allow Windows to restart your system.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 11
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Physics Bullet [14][15]
Audio Criware [16][15]
Cutscenes Criware [17][15]

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 10
Processor (CPU) Intel Core i5-3470
AMD Ryzen 5 1400
System memory (RAM) 8 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 30 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce GTX 660
AMD Radeon HD 7870
2 GB of VRAM
DirectX 11 compatible
A 64-bit operating system is required.
Minimum requirements are for 720p, 30 fps at low settings. Recommended requirements are for 1080p, 60 fps at high settings.
Requires SSE4 and AVX CPU instruction sets for the game to run.


Notes

  1. The following DLC is Japan and platform exclusive:
    • Inugami Korone Collaboration Sonic Gloves & Shoes: Available as a Joshin pre-order bonus on PlayStation and Switch.
    • Inugami Korone Collaboration Sound Effects: Available as an Amazon Japan pre-order bonus on PlayStation and Switch.
    • Inugami Korone Collaboration "Koronesuki" Koco Skin: Available as a Rakuten Books pre-order bonus on PlayStation and Switch.
    • Sonic Emote with Koco: Available to participants of Sega Lucky Lottery for Switch only.
  2. 2.0 2.1 File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/1237320/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (1237320) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.
  3. Autosaves and manual saves are split to respective folders.

References

  1. Sonic Frontiers is out now on the Epic Games Store! - Sonic the Hedgehog - last accessed on 2023-12-22
  2. Sonic Frontiers - Sights, Sounds, and Speed Update - Steam News - last accessed on 2023-03-23
  3. Sonic Frontiers - Sonic’s Birthday Bash Update is available now! - Steam News - last accessed on 2023-08-06
  4. Sonic Frontiers - Sonic Frontiers – The Final Horizon Update - Steam News - last accessed on 2023-09-28
  5. Sonic Frontiers: Sonic Adventure 2 Shoes History · Change #18913927 · SteamDB - last accessed on 2023-06-02
  6. Sonic Frontiers - Sonic Frontiers – Important DLC Information - Steam News - last accessed on 2022-11-09
  7. Verified by User:SlimPlay on 2022-11-17
    Warning by the game that some outfits won't be shown in certain cutscenes when changing outfits. But it also won't apply on Super Sonic.
  8. Verified by User:MasterBlaster on 2022-11-09
    Tested on a multi-monitor setup.
  9. Verified by User:MasterBlaster on 2022-11-09
    Tested by playing the game at 2560x1080 resolution.
  10. Verified by User:MasterBlaster on 2022-11-09
    Tested by playing the game at several resolutions, including 1920x1080, 1280x720, and 3840x2160. While the game properly rendered at these resolutions, the UI didn't scale past 1080p, looking jagged and blurry at higher resolutions.
  11. Verified by User:MasterBlaster on 2022-11-09
    Tested by taking several screenshots in the same spot on the overworld at an angle with several AF sample rates and comparing them. The game does not appear to use any form of AF, as forcing AF through the Nvidia Control Panel produced sharper and cleaner results to texture quality.
  12. Verified by User:MasterBlaster on 2022-11-09
    Tested in 7.1 using Orban Loudness Meter in conjunction with Razer Surround.
  13. ĐeäTh on Twitter: "This still works, but still a joke at this point. https://t.co/vYBy3GwZr9" - last accessed on 2023-05-06
  14. Verified by User:Fds29 on 2022-11-09
    Seen in the license information.
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 Verified by User:MasterBlaster on 2022-11-09
    As seen during splash screens upon boot-up.
  16. Verified by User:Fds29 on 2022-11-09
    ACB audio files are present.
  17. Verified by User:Fds29 on 2022-11-09
    USM video files are present.