Sonic X Shadow Generations review

Sonic X Shadow Generations review

As a lifelong Sonic fan who can remember the days of the Mega Drive, I must say that Sonic X Shadow Generations has brought a wave of nostalgia that I hadn’t felt in years. The blend of classic and modern gameplay in Sonic Generations is nothing short of genius, and it was an absolute joy to race through familiar stages with both Classic and Modern Sonic.


Fans of Sonic the Hedgehog are quite diverse, each with their unique reasons for loving the blue speedster and his video games. Given this variety, it’s not surprising that they often have differing opinions, particularly when discussing Sonic games. However, there is one game that all the Sonic fans I know unanimously praise – Sonic Generations. The reason behind its popularity becomes immediately clear: blending classic and contemporary Sonic elements created an incredible nostalgic experience, making it a favorite among many fans. Now, after thirteen years, Sega has decided to reintroduce this cherished game to a modern audience with Sonic X Shadow Generations, offering a fresh twist – the inclusion of an entirely new game within it.

If you haven’t played Sonic Generations before and are joining in now, here’s a quick summary: A birthday celebration for Sonic turns chaotic when a giant purple wormhole swallows all his friends. Determined to save them, Sonic leaps into the vortex himself and lands in The White Space – an odd, Sonic-themed limbo realm with entrances to stages from various series games. In this peculiar place, Sonic encounters Classic Sonic, a polished version of our hero from the Mega Drive era who doesn’t talk but is eager to race together through familiar yet altered levels. This setup offers an enjoyable blend of two versions of Sonic in stages that evoke a strong sense of nostalgia.

Sonic X Shadow Generations review

In this updated version, Classic Sonic retains the familiar moves you’d associate with traditional Sonic games, such as running, looping, spin dashing, and jumping on robotic creatures. Playing as this classic character evokes the same thrill it did in the 90s, but now includes redesigned 3D stages that have been made more 2D for a fresh twist. The excitement of playing 2D City Escape in 2024 is just as potent as it was in 2011 and continues to be a standout feature in Sonic X Shadow Generations.

In simpler terms, the newer version of Sonic, compared to his older counterpart, might seem more familiar to younger players due to features like the homing attack and stage-grinding abilities. While it’s not significantly different from the recent Sonic Frontiers in terms of controls, some may find it less precise. However, within this more linear gameplay, this version of Sonic still manages to accomplish the tasks effectively.

In addition to the engaging gameplay in Sonic Generations, you’ll find a variety of additional features that keep things interesting. For instance, there are hidden medals that offer access to historical art and music from the series. Moreover, by excelling at stages and achieving top rankings, you earn special points. These points can be spent on various abilities at the shop, which range from speed boosts for our swift characters to starting levels with extra rings. It’s enjoyable to try out these options to optimize Sonic’s performance.

Sonic X Shadow Generations review

In this revamped edition of Sonic Generations, not much has altered, but that’s just one part of the Sonic X Shadow Generations bundle. The more rebellious Sonic character takes center stage in the additional campaign. While other characters are being drawn into another dimension, Shadow is on his native space station, searching for clues about his past. This journey eventually leads him into a massive purple vortex as well, but his White Space differs significantly from Sonic’s.

In contrast to Sonic Generations, which focused on progressing through stages quickly, Shadow Generations introduces a vast explorable hub filled with hidden treasures to uncover. This design seems to have been influenced by the open-world success Sonic Frontiers, but with Shadow’s unique abilities, there are numerous innovative methods for navigation that aid in locating collectibles and chests.

Initially, Shadow outperforms contemporary Sonic during gameplay, primarily due to his potent homing attack. However, as the game progresses, you’ll unlock additional abilities that enhance his performance even further. These abilities are derived from the antagonist “Black Doom,” and they have a dark, tentacle-themed aesthetic.

Sonic X Shadow Generations review

Similar to how stages in other Generations games are modeled after previous titles in the series, Shadow’s levels in this game are based on older Sonic games as well. However, “The Ultimate Lifeform” didn’t make its first appearance until Sonic Adventure 2, which means some classic games aren’t represented here. I would have enjoyed seeing a cute, retro version of Shadow running through Casino Night and Mushroom Hill, but instead, his stages are filled with destroyed cities and metallic structures. Despite that, these levels are outstanding due to Shadow’s move-set, making them a thrill to speed through.

Apart from the usual stages, Shadow Generations also includes challenge levels that must be conquered in order to open boss doors. These challenges typically last about a minute or two, and are altered versions of the primary zones. Each challenge presents a unique goal to achieve beyond just reaching the end, such as surviving with only one life or defeating a specific number of opponents. This additional objective makes these levels an enjoyable change from the standard gameplay.

Sonic X Shadow Generations review

The Sonic X Shadow Generations collection evokes a sense of nostalgia from Sonic fans, yet it’s not without its flaws. For instance, Sonic’s adventure seems somewhat outdated in 2024 and is often overshadowed by Shadow’s, who offers a more compelling experience. However, Shadow Generations isn’t without its own problems – the hub area can be a bit monotonous due to excessive white space, and the collectibles hidden within it are typically not very enticing or engaging.

The compilation game, Sonic X Shadow Generations, gathers two terrific Sonic titles brimming with nostalgic elements. The fresh campaign starring Shadow is particularly engaging due to the fusion of open-world exploration and remarkable stages that made Sonic Frontiers stand out. Although this collection might not convert non-Sonic enthusiasts into avid collectors of Sonic memorabilia, fans of these spiky critters are sure to enjoy Sonic X Shadow Generations immensely.

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2024-10-21 16:16