Sonic The Hedgehog: Things Sonic Does Better Than Shadow

As a longtime fan and follower of the Sonic the Hedgehog series, I must say that my loyalty lies with the original speedster, Sonic himself. Now, don’t get me wrong, Shadow has his moments, but let’s face it – Sonic is the one who truly embodies the spirit of this franchise.

Since his debut in 1991, Sonic the Hedgehog has encountered numerous adversaries. Some of his most well-known rivals include Metal Sonic from “Sonic CD” (1993), Silver the Hedgehog from “Sonic The Hedgehog 2006″, and Knuckles the Echidna from “Sonic The Hedgehog 3” (1994). Over the years, Sonic has clashed with numerous enemies but usually emerges victorious. Among these opponents, Shadow The Hedgehog, the ultimate life form, is often compared to Sonic.

Developed from a scientific research project onboard the Space Colony Ark, Shadow was created for the dual purpose of achieving immortality and finding a cure for Maria Robotnik, Granddaughter of Gerald Robotnik. Half a century since his creation, the black hedgehog was liberated by Dr. Eggman, often engaging in battles with both him and Sonic repeatedly.

5 Sonic Inspired Shadow’s Creation

Blue Was The Blueprint

Sonic The Hedgehog: Things Sonic Does Better Than Shadow

Back in the day, around a decade after Sonic the Hedgehog 1 hit the shelves, I joined the scene as Shadow, the first male hedgehog added to the series post Sonic’s debut. You wouldn’t believe how often people get us mixed up! In Sonic Adventure 2, it was chaos – the military would chase after me for Sonic’s misdeeds, and even sweet Amy would give me a hug from behind without realizing I wasn’t her usual spiky buddy. Quite the confusion!

In the world of these games, Sonic the Hedgehog serves as a kind of prophecy or foreshadowing. Depictions of him, like murals, were created before he actually appeared. It’s strongly suggested that Dr. Gerald Robotnik drew inspiration from a mural showing Super Sonic battling Perfect Chaos in the Mystic Ruins when designing Shadow, the Biolizard, and the Artificial Chaos.

4 Sonic Always Does The Right Thing

A Fighter For Freedom

Sonic The Hedgehog: Things Sonic Does Better Than Shadow

As a gamer, I’ve always seen Shadow portrayed as a hero in Sonic games, but there’s a twist to his character. You see, his moral compass isn’t exactly like yours or mine. His actions are justified because he feels betrayed by humanity following Maria’s death. However, the transformation that leads him to save the world in Sonic Adventure 2 doesn’t stem from a change in his personality. Instead, it’s triggered by remembering Maria’s genuine wish – for Shadow to protect humanity. If his initial memory had been accurate, I believe Shadow would have destroyed Earth without a second thought.

On the contrary, Sonic exhibits a far stronger sense of personal morality and tends to act based on what he believes is right. This is evident in his actions as he strives to save the world, not out of obligation, but because it aligns with his values. He’s a character known for his empathy, often preferring peaceful resolution over conflict whenever possible. This aspect of his character is clearly demonstrated in games like “Sonic Frontiers,” where Sonic initially avoids engaging in conflict with Sage, even when friends like Knuckles advocate for an aggressive approach against her.

3 Sonic Is More Optimistic

Always Finds A Reason To Smile

Here’s another perspective on Sonic’s character and how it sets him apart as a hero compared to Shadow at times. It’s important to note that Shadow’s pessimistic view of life stems from his unique circumstances. Sonic has shown signs of giving up in the past, for instance, in the Semi Hero-Hero ending of “Shadow The Hedgehog”. Shadow sees himself as an error that should never have occurred, often walking away with a downcast gaze.

According to Chip in “Sonic Unleashed,” Sonic is someone who refuses to succumb to the darkness within him and instead maintains an optimistic perspective throughout his adventures. Even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, Sonic remains confident that a solution exists. This contrast between the two hedgehogs is clearly demonstrated in “Sonic Forces.” When Shadow tells Sonic that they have no chance of defeating Infinite’s clone army, Sonic replies: “We can certainly win this! We just haven’t found the way to do it yet.

2 Sonic Has More Forms

He’s A Hedgehog Always Evolving

One of the most thrilling scenes in the Sonic Adventure 2 series occurs at its conclusion, when the two spiky protagonists, Sonic and Knuckles, unite for the first time. Using the seven Chaos Emeralds, they transform into their super forms to battle and ultimately defeat the Biolizard. While Shadow’s super form is showcased twice more in subsequent mainline games, the Ultimate Life Form does not acquire any additional transformations throughout the series.

Instead of being confined to a single form like Shadow, Sonic has evolved into numerous shapes throughout the series. Each incarnation boasts unique abilities and functions. His second transformation appeared as early as Sonic the Hedgehog 3, where he could access Hyper Sonic by utilizing the Super Emeralds. Over the years, there have been numerous other transformations in the games, from the Darkspine and Excalibur forms in the Storybook series, to the Werehog in Sonic Unleashed.

1 Sonic Has Saved The World More

“I Will Never Give Up The Fight!”

In this franchise, Sonic the Hedgehog consistently takes on the leading role for good reason – he boasts an impressive number of medals earned from times he’s rescued the world, and is reliably ready to respond whenever danger arises. Time and again, he has battled various monsters, aliens, and Eggman’s creations, emerging victorious each time, and ultimately preserving peace on the planet.

This isn’t to say that Shadow hasn’t done his fair share of world-saving, too. He saved humanity from the Space Colony Ark in Sonic Adventure 2, destroyed the Black Comet in Shadow The Hedgehog, and helped defeat Solaris in Sonic The Hedgehog 2006. But in two of these three, he needed Sonic to complete their mission, and Shadow was the only one immune to the Black Comet’s paralyzing gas, leaving him the only one capable of saving humanity. And there have been countless times when Shadow wasn’t around in the face of world-ending threats, whereas Sonic is always the first in the face of danger.

2024-11-17 22:55