The joy of exploring an open-world game is stumbling upon something beautiful. Sonic Frontiers has its share of lovable vistas; you never know when you'll climb a hill and be faced with a perfect view of glimmering settlements below or ancient ruins just waiting to be found.
While Frontiers' environments are not necessarily its strongest suit, these little havens tucked between grind rails and floating platforms make it all worthwhile. After all, Frontiers is Sonic's first foray into the open-world genre, and Morio Kishimoto himself has mentioned that the team is taking feedback seriously — perhaps even more impressive views are yet to come.
9 Entrance To Chaos Emerald Temple On Ouranos Island
At the heart of Ouranos Island lies an ancient temple housing one of the Chaos Emeralds. More beautiful than the Emerald itself, however, is the spiraling tunnel of hanging vines and violet magnetic panels leading to it. The sheer size of the tunnel easily dwarfs Sonic with its rounded, cathedral-like ceiling and high-reaching grind rails. The Ancients had a keen eye for architecture, no doubt — even in their absence, these structures carry an arresting, forlorn allure, made all the sweeter by the melancholy tones of Frontiers' story. Definitely try to visit this location after dark, as its luminous magic lights and panels become hauntingly beautiful at night.
8 Chaos Island Volcanic Pools
Welcome to Yellowstone National- I mean, Chaos Island's volcanic pools.
On the outskirts of molten Chaos Island, far beyond the smoke of the pinball machine inside the volcano, a more peaceful vista awaits — cerulean pools of fresh water surrounded by bright green igneous rock have lain undisturbed for untold centuries. They'd make a perfect bathtub for the Koco following you around. They deserve a spa day, too.
The rock surrounding the pools is likely composed of olivine, an igneous rock often present in molten lava. When the lava cools, you'll get the bright green rock shown above (or darker, more subtle shades depending upon which minerals are in the lava soup, as it were).
7 Long Bridge On Ouranos Island
A grand, illuminated bridge spreads across a wide gap in the cliffs of Ouranos Island, leading to a smaller satellite isle off the coast. There are two rewards for traversing it: a Chaos Emerald, and a magical view. The architecture of the Ancients is stunning in its particular air of mystery and cool, glowing colors; even fairly commonplace landmarks like lamps and bridges all have a distinct presence.
If you think these architectural marvels look good now, just imagine how much better they'll be in the Photo Mode DLC.
6 Ares Island Overlook
Ares Island may look like a vast expanse of beige from the ground, but from the towering platforms of the ruins high above, you can see every cliff, valley, and dune in a new light — especially the light of sunset, which dyes the desert a soothing red-orange. The clay structure leading up to the overlook platform is lined with emerald streaks of magnetic paneling, amping up the contrast as you make your ascent.
This is, fittingly, the spot where Sonic begins his face-off against the Titan boss Wyvern. Two unstoppable flying forces clash in the skies while the island slumbers below... it's a match you won't soon forget.
5 Ouranos Island Flower Fields
Frontiers' final island has some parallels to its first — while Kronos Island has a small patch of flowers near the base of the tall waterfall leading to the Giganto boss fight, Ouranos has a full, breathtaking field of peach, red, and white blooms. The flowers resemble the cup-like shape of California Poppies, which often represent death in fiction. However, the poppies also represent rebirth. The Ancients, too, fit neatly into this cycle; though the flowers may be markers of death, they are also deathless. With the power of Cyberspace and the compassion of Sonic and friends, the Ancients are able to find closure after certain doom.
4 Chaos Island Volcano Ascent
Chaos Island is home to a sprawling aerial obstacle course riddled with spikes, dodgy platforms, and lasers. Most of it is in 2D, and resembles some of the classic tricks and pitfalls of early Sonic titles. If you find a moment to pause and breathe as you make the ascent toward the Chaos Emerald, you'll have a chance to take in the spectacular wide view of the active volcano.
Lava pouring from the volcano's core foreshadows a red-hot battle yet to come with the area's Titan, Knight. Here's hoping the Chaos Emeralds make Sonic fireproof.
3 Sky Sanctuary Cyberspace (Dusk)
That view of the Death Egg soaked in gold speaks for itself — while the Sky Sanctuary variant of Cyberspace is gorgeous in the day, it's absolutely ethereal at dusk. Golden light shines from between ivory pillars, giving a real feeling of warmth as if you were standing outside at sunset. The complex etchings of the architecture are caught in stunning relief as the light exposes their cracks and intricacies; it makes you want to wander through the ruins yourself, doesn't it? Well, maybe with fewer killer robots running around, at least.
2 Kronos Island Graveyard
Beneath the cascading waterfall on Kronos Island lies a small cluster of cyan-lit monuments, home to a fairly complicated puzzle. They are also home to the wayward souls of the Ancients who have long since passed on; the site is a graveyard, and each pillar is a Memoriam to the dearly departed. From a distance, they form a constellation of glowing towers that beckon players closer. It feels somewhat humbling to stand between them — Sonic walks among the echoes of people he will never meet but is destined to save.
1 Ares Island Oasis
Tucked away in a remote corner of Ares Island, a small oasis surrounded by daisy-like flowers sits undisturbed by the elements. Here you'll find one of the Koco elders who can upgrade Sonic's skills, nestled between two shallow pools of fresh water. The reflections of red-clay cliffs and swaying trees are clear and crisp along the lake. Wading into the pool is just as relaxing as looking at it — for us, maybe, if not for poor, aquaphobic Sonic.
Long ago, this oasis may have been a place for the Ancients to gather and rest with friends and family. You can almost imagine the picnic baskets and laughter of children as they skip rocks across the blue.