Analyzing Sonic Frontiers' Sage: The Ups and Downs in Subsequent Games

Article Key Points

Sage's introduction in Sonic Frontiers added depth to Doctor Eggman's character, showing a more sympathetic and reasonable side to him through his interactions with her.

The inclusion of Sage in future games poses a challenge to Eggman's position as the main antagonist, given the complexity of their relationship and the difficulty he faces in portraying himself as a heartless villain when she is around.

To maintain Sage's significance without undermining Eggman's role, one solution could be to show different versions of Eggman in games where Sage is prominently featured and in games where she is not, thereby allowing for a more diverse portrayal of this iconic villain.

Introducing Sage yielded some of Sonic Frontiers' most captivating content, prompting speculation on her potential return in future games. The Sonic series boasts a remarkably extensive roster of recurring characters, with even more featured in comics and cartoons. Sonic Frontiers broke new ground by delivering expansive open-world environments for players to navigate, along with compelling dialogue exchanges between Sonic and his companions. Sage emerged as the standout addition to the game's character lineup, yet her role in the future of the Sonic series remains uncertain.

Sage represents the latest addition to the ever-growing ensemble of Sonic the Hedgehog characters, and is recognized as one of the compelling recent inclusions. While she is a creation of Doctor Eggman, it is worth noting that she is not the first of his prominent assistants to make an appearance. Previous notable associates of Eggman include:

Scratch and Grounder from The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog

Bocoe and Decoe from Sonic X

From Sonic Colors onwards, Orbot and Cubot become Eggman's assistants who genuinely appreciate Sage and value her input. In fact, Eggman sees her as a surrogate daughter, as evident in their interactions throughout the game, bringing a new perspective to the character of the doctor.

Sage Brings Out a New Side of Sonic's Iconic Nemesis

Sage's presence in Sonic Frontiers had a tremendous impact on Eggman, making him appear more sympathetic. Unlike previous games, he displayed a calmer and more reasonable demeanor when interacting with her compared to other characters. Surprisingly, Sage managed to successfully convince him to team up with Sonic without any resistance. Thanks to her influence, there are now more possibilities to portray Eggman in a role beyond that of a typical villain or mad scientist. In fact, there is even potential for Eggman to embark on his own adventure with Sage serving as his moral guide. This is a notable distinction from the past, specifically in Sonic Chronicles, where Eggman's alliance with Sonic was ultimately revealed to be a deception.

The drawback of Sage and Eggman's relationship in Sonic Frontiers is that it would be challenging for him to be the main antagonist when she is present. It would go against the nature of both characters for Eggman to pursue his usual plans for world domination while Sage is around, as she has established herself as a calming influence and he wants her to be happy. Therefore, Eggman may not have the ruthlessness required to be the primary villain in games featuring Sage. This could pose a complication if she becomes a recurring character.

There could be a solution to maintain Sage's relevance without compromising Eggman's role in future Sonic the Hedgehog games. In most appearances, Eggman can remain the same mad scientist fans adore, menacing Sonic and attempting to take over the world. However, in games where Sage plays a significant role, Eggman's character could be toned down to reflect her positive effect on him, making him more reasonable and less malicious. This would make Sage a sort of indicator, with her presence or absence determining the characterization of Eggman. This approach may be the best way to include her in the series.

Sonic Frontiers' Final Horizon Update has recently passed, prompting a closer look at the potential future of Sage within Sonic's canon. Sage's return offers undeniable advantages, allowing Dr. Eggman to take on new roles within the narrative. However, this shift may also limit his capacity to portray a formidable antagonist. Ultimately, Sega's decision regarding the direction of the series will determine the outcome. Regardless, Sage's noteworthy contribution in Sonic Frontiers remains undeniable.

Sonic Frontiers

Sonic Frontiers is a 3D action platformer game set in an open world. Developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega, this game takes players on an adventure to the Starfall Islands. The objective is to collect Chaos Emeralds and reunite Sonic with his lost friends. Along the way, players will engage in puzzle-solving, combat against robotic enemies, and traverse the landscape using grind rails. Unraveling the mystery of Sonic's group being separated by a wormhole adds to the excitement of this immersive gameplay experience.

Editor's P/S

In Sonic Frontiers, the introduction of Sage, a pivotal character with a complex relationship with Doctor Eggman, has generated both excitement and uncertainty regarding her potential return in future games. Sage's presence adds depth to Eggman's character, showcasing a more sympathetic and reasonable side to the iconic villain. However, it also poses a challenge to Eggman's role as the main antagonist, as it becomes difficult to portray him as a heartless villain when Sage is around.

One potential solution to maintain Sage's significance without undermining Eggman's role is to present different versions of Eggman in games where Sage is prominently featured and in games where she is not. This approach would allow for a more diverse portrayal of Eggman, showcasing his complexity and adaptability as a character. Additionally, it would prevent the potential issue of Eggman's character becoming too predictable or one-dimensional.