The Sights, Sounds, and Speed DLC has added a new mode toSonic Frontiersin the form of “Extreme” difficulty. Originally, the game had only Easy, Normal, and Hard modes to its name, but now, a fourth can be unlocked. Originally announced through the Japanese magazine Famitsu, the new difficulty sounded like it was readily available like the other new additionssuch as Photo Mode, but instead, it takes some skill to unlock.
Extreme mode is inherently attached to another new feature of the game: Battle Rush. Battle Rush is a mode in which players are tasked with taking on every enemy in the game under a rather strict time limit in order toget an S Rank. This mode is definitely designed for those who have not only beaten the game, but possibly completed it. For those who want to take on the challenge, this guide will go overhow to unlock Extreme difficulty inSonic Frontiers.
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Sonic Frontiers: What is Extreme Difficulty?
Extreme mode is the toughest mode thatSonic Frontiershas to offer. It can only be started as a new game, and it locks in permanently, meaning that players are stuck with the tougher challenge until the file is deleted or beaten.
The biggest differences between it and the other difficulties are that Sonic’s stats can’t be upgraded beyond level 1,Cyber Space stageshave tighter S Rank restrictions, and any damage at all will lead to death. However, the enemies will still get stronger over time as the game continues.
Even the game warns players before they start the file that it’s for “battle-hardened veterans.” There’s no reward for beating Extreme difficulty, either, so it only serves as an extra challenge for those who want an even harder playthrough.
How to Unlock Extreme Difficulty in Sonic Frontiers
In order to earn this extra challenge, players will need toS Rank all of the Battle Rush mode. As previously stated, Battle Rush is precise down to the second, so one mistake may cost players an entire letter grade if they’re not careful and skilled enough. As a result, it’s best that fans take on S Ranking Battle Rush once they’vemaxed out all of Sonic’s skills. Thankfully,the update has fixed Elder Kocoto where upgrading speed and ring counter is much easier.
Battle Rush operates by ranking players on an overall time rather than individual sections, which could be both a blessing and a curse depending on the player. Fortunately, this means that failing on one section but beating another incredibly quickly could save players' times. The overall times to S Rank every stage of Battle Rush can be found below.
Once all of these modes have been S Ranked, the notice that Extreme difficulty has been unlocked should appear on the player’s screen. While there isn’t a reward for clearing Extreme difficulty, there is one other reward for S Ranking Battle Rush: a golden badge of two swords on the title screen so that players can show off and be proud of what they’ve accomplished.
Sonic Frontiersis available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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