Gerald’s Journal in Sonic X Shadow Generations Gives Impact to Greater Sonic Lore As a Whole

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As a seasoned Sonic gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that the latest addition to the franchise, Sonic X Shadow Generations, has truly outdone itself when it comes to storytelling and character development. The journey through Professor Gerald Robotnik’s journal is nothing short of captivating, offering an intricate look into the mind of a genius driven by desperation and love.

Light spoilers for Sonic X Shadow Generations ahead, and full spoilers for most of Gerald’s journal.

The game “Sonic X Shadow Generations” focuses on revealing Shadow’s past and future, which for the black hedgehog character, revolves around the storylines of Black Doom, Maria, and Professor Gerald Robotnik, who is also his creator.

In the game “Shadow Generations”, Professor Gerald plays a pivotal part that can’t be overlooked. Not only does he become an interactive character for players, but those who pre-order the first day edition of “Sonic X Shadow Generations” will receive a real-life copy of his journal within the game itself. This is an exceptional pre-order bonus for dedicated “Sonic” fans, as Professor Gerald’s journal has been a significant part of the series lore since “Sonic Adventure 2”. It provides motivation for Eggman, Shadow, and ultimately the entire Last Story, and can also be found in games such as “Sonic Battle” and “Sonic Rivals 2”.

Gerald’s Journal in Sonic X Shadow Generations Explained

Because Gerald’s detailed account of his research and personal life has been central to Sonic folklore for so long, some fans might find it hard to believe they can now read it directly. This journal undeniably provides a crucial part of the franchise’s history. It delves deeply into the events that sparked the creation of Shadow, other experiments, and even significant Robotnik family history. Although certain details in the professor’s writings aren’t completely novel, they collectively present an unprecedented perspective on the ARK incident not found in any other Sonic medium.

One of the first things in the journal reveals that while Gerald has visited Angel Island, he’s never seen the mural in Sonic & Knuckles that fans believed led Shadow’s design to be inspired by Super Sonic, but it explains why the Space Colony ARK’s core looks like the Master Emerald’s shrine. G.U.N is soon named as one of the investors of the ARK project, and Gerald surmises early on that they’ll eventually force him to develop weapons, when he’d much rather advance science to improve the lives of people like Maria, who’s diagnosed with neuro-immuno deficiency syndrome shortly into Gerald’s life in space.

Maria gets transported onto Space Colony ARK to manage her illness against her biological parents’ objections, with the low-gravity surroundings alleviating much of her suffering. However, challenges arise as G.U.N starts requesting weapons, and Gerald faces disapproval from his loved ones, along with a president seeking the secret to eternal life, which complicate his optimistic scientific pursuits even further.

Professor Gerald’s Repeated Attempts to Earn More Time

In Gerald’s journal, nearly every significant element of his research is detailed, from conception to near completion – or as close as it could get. This includes the Artificial Chaos robots, Emerl the Gizoid, Chaos Drives, Biolizard, and of course, Shadow the Hedgehog. The journal entries indicate that “Project: Shadow,” which resulted in the creation of the main character, was initially intended to provide regular updates to G.U.N and the president on an impossible project. The Artificial Chaos adversaries were designed to meet G.U.N’s insatiable appetite for weapons, while the Chaos Drives marked Gerald’s initial pursuit of immortality for the president. However, none of these projects pleased the investors, and Maria’s family was increasingly concerned because she had been absent for several years at that point. With the staff maintaining the ARK and loved ones pressuring him for progress, Professor Gerald faces dire circumstances when he strikes a deal for Black Doom’s DNA.

What Truly Happened on the Space Colony ARK

Professor Gerald may have created the black hedgehog, but Maria has been revealed to be the one who named Shadow. The journal also says that Maria was the one who helped design Shadow’s inhibitor rings and “air shoes” to quote Shadow in Sonic Prime. With G.U.N still demanding super weapons, Gerald showcased what would be Emerl in Sonic Battle (including the game’s own entries) to the militia. Shadow was nearly complete with hopes that his DNA could be a cure for Maria. In the Dark Beginnings shorts, the process to create this cure required Gerald to ask for even more time, so, he created the ARK’s Eclipse Cannon.

In a regrettable turn of events, Gerald devised the Eclipse Cannon as a dual-purpose weapon: on one hand, to potentially ward off future Black Arms invasions (as foreseen in the game ‘Shadow the Hedgehog’), and on the other, he regarded it as a present for Shadow in an unwanted conflict. To him, it was a token of affection towards his friend whom he believed would play a crucial role in their shared struggle. As Shadow and Maria grow close after his awakening, Gerald’s journal entry reveals feelings of abandonment and longing to reunite with his family—particularly Maria. With the professor, his granddaughter, and his creation forming an unconventional family unit, it appears that they are each other’s closest companions at this point in time.

According to Dark Beginnings (and the journal), the Gizoid embarks on a destructive spree, and the Artificial Chaos monsters lose control shortly thereafter. This was depicted in Lost Impact within Shadow the Hedgehog, but unlike his standalone game, it wasn’t revealed that these events triggered an SOS distress signal to be sent to GUN autonomously. Fans of Sonic are well aware of what transpires next, and scenes reminiscent of Sonic Adventure 2 unfold subsequently. The journal concludes with a photograph capturing Shadow, Maria, and Gerald smiling.

Gerald’s diary offers a vivid account of events on the Space Colony ARK, filling in gaps from Shadow’s history and delving deeply into the characters of Gerald and Maria for players. After decades of suppressing the darker aspects of Shadow’s past, it’s quite unsettling to find these implications hinted at in Gerald’s Adventure 2 entries, which speak volumes about his descent.

Reading about Gerald’s struggles and selfless actions within the ARK narrative adds genuine depth to his character, which has been subtly hinted at but largely unexplored in previous Sonic games. This backstory becomes particularly impactful when playing Shadow’s storyline in Sunset Heights during Shadow Generations, as it allows players to better empathize with him and enhances the overall gaming experience.

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2024-10-31 20:35