Sonic X Shadow Generations Review

Sonic X Shadow Generations is everything you could ask for in a Sonic game. The original Sonic Generations, released in 2011 to mark Sonic’s 20th anniversary, delivered a satisfying platforming experience that successfully showcased the best of both Sonic’s 2D and 3D gameplay styles. Now, SEGA has revitalised the classic for modern platforms, adding a new campaign featuring Shadow the Hedgehog. This additional storyline runs parallel to Sonic’s main adventure, giving fans a fresh perspective on the events while playing as one of Sonic’s most iconic rivals. To top it off, SEGA has also included a few clever references to Sonic Frontiers, blending elements from recent Sonic lore with the nostalgia of the original Generations game.

Shadow is an intriguing character with a rather mixed legacy. SEGA’s attempt to position him as a darker, more mature counterpart to Sonic has always been divisive. While designed to bring an edgier vibe, he often comes off as a bit too intense, almost “edgelord” in his delivery. His persona is constantly wrapped in anger and internal conflict, with a soundtrack of angsty, growling heavy metal that underlines his brooding nature. His lines are delivered with such serious stoicism that he can sometimes feel flat and overly grim. Shadow’s standalone game, where he even wielded guns, was seen by many fans as straying too far from Sonic’s upbeat roots, almost a cardinal sin in the franchise.

Despite this, Shadow has maintained a loyal fanbase, and SEGA is doubling down on his popularity this year, especially with his upcoming role in the third Sonic the Hedgehog movie, where he’ll be voiced by Keanu Reeves. Its clear SEGA sees his potential as a compelling character, but the question remains: is this renewed focus on Shadow enough reason to revisit Sonic Generations? And is the overall experience worth another go in this revamped edition?

I started off playing Shadow’s campaign, dropping him right into the eerie White Space, a desolate hub where familiar faces from his past reappear, caught in chaotic time distortions triggered by Black Doom’s return. For those who haven’t kept up with Shadow’s darker storyline, there’s a helpful recap that provides some much-needed context. The campaign largely follows the same structure as Sonic Generations: restore colour to the various worlds by completing acts, take on challenges to earn boss keys, defeat returning villains, and gather hidden items. Yet, what really sets Shadow X Generations apart is Shadow’s unique set of Doom Powers, which infuse his gameplay with a completely different style and set of strategies.

Shadow’s movement is more than just his iconic “skating” glide, a cool, steady pace that contrasts with Sonic’s frenetic dash. As you progress, you unlock five Doom Powers that elevate Shadow’s abilities: Doom Spear, Doom Blast, Doom Morph, Doom Surf, and Doom Wing. Each one enhances both combat and exploration in new ways. With Doom Spear, Shadow can hurl projectiles at distant foes; The Doom Blast delivers a combo of powerful punches, often knocking enemies into breakable walls or other objects; Doom Morph lets Shadow scale purple ooze-covered walls, opening up new areas; Doom Surf allows for swift water traversal; and finally, Doom Wing lets Shadow sprout wings to glide over gaps and reach otherwise inaccessible places.

These abilities add a level of complexity and fluidity to Shadow’s gameplay, far beyond traditional platforming. Doom Blast is especially satisfying, letting you knock an enemy back and teleport next to it, opening up new paths. Surfing across water with Doom Surf is another thrilling feature, providing a quick-paced shift that integrates seamlessly into the level design. As you unlock more Doom Powers, gameplay becomes increasingly strategic, with each level encouraging creative combinations. For instance, you might start by launching a Doom Spear at a far-off enemy, then switch to Doom Morph to scale a wall, all while chaining these moves together for a smooth flow.

Watching Shadow utilise different Doom Power combinations keeps the gameplay feeling fresh, adding a dynamic edge that truly distinguishes him from Sonic. With each ability, Shadow’s journey through the Sonic Universe evolves into a layered, satisfying experience that deepens both exploration and combat, giving Shadow X Generations its own compelling rhythm and challenge.

One drawback of the game is that its high-speed pacing often works against you. Many stages are designed to be completed at breakneck speed, making it challenging to react in time to the sudden obstacles or enemies that pop up along the way. There were countless moments where I found myself plummeting off cliffs or crashing into enemies because I missed the split-second window needed to activate a Doom Power or stick a tricky landing. This rapid pace leaves little room for error, and even seasoned players might find themselves repeating sections simply due to the game’s unforgiving speed.

The thrill of zipping through levels can feel exhilarating, but the lack of time to react does detract from the experience, especially when precise timing is needed to combine Doom Powers effectively. It’s a bit of a paradox—the game encourages quick reflexes yet penalises you harshly for being a fraction too late. While these high-speed challenges add intensity, they sometimes disrupt the flow, making it difficult to enjoy Shadow’s unique powers and abilities to their fullest potential.

The biggest frustration I encountered with Shadow’s missions was how challenging he can be to control. His speed is exhilarating, but often works against him. He frequently zooms around so fast that even his homing attack can’t always keep up; although objectives are clearly highlighted as you progress, missing the right timing is common, and there are moments when the lock-on feature simply fails altogether. This adds a layer of unpredictability that makes many stages feel like a trial-and-error experience—a familiar aspect in Sonic games, but here it occasionally tips over into outright frustration.

Despite these issues, the stages themselves are impeccably designed, with creative layouts that showcase Shadow’s speed and abilities. Each level is packed with thrilling elements like loops, grinding rails, massive jumps, and cinematic camera angles that emphasise both speed and verticality. Each environment feels fresh, with unique settings that long time fans will instantly recognise and appreciate. From the futuristic neon glow of Space Colony ARK to the lush scenery of Kingdom Valley and the gritty industrial vibe of Rail Canyon, Shadow’s stages are filled with vibrant colours and personality, breathing new life into these iconic locations.

Boss fights, in particular, are a standout aspect of Shadow’s campaign. They demand careful use of Doom Powers, testing your mastery of said abilities in encounters with screen-filling juggernauts and complex, multi-stage sequences. The dynamic camera work during these battles adds excitement, showing off the bosses in all their detailed glory and making these encounters truly memorable.

For completionists, there are plenty of collectibles to gather along the way. Each level hides three distinct coloured tokens, each of which unlocks corresponding item boxes in the hub area. Inside these boxes are pieces of artwork, music, story recaps, and more, rewarding players who take the time to track everything down. Unlike the original Sonic Generations, the White Space hub in this version is a much larger, interactive 3D world, filled with loops, rings, hidden items, bonus trials, and other surprises reminiscent of Sonic Frontiers’ expansive open-world format.

Shadow’s campaign, while engaging, clocks in at about six hours, making it more of an extra than the main event. That spotlight remains on the remastered Sonic Generations, which is faithfully preserved here but now boasts a stunning visual update that makes it shine brighter than ever.

In Sonic Generations, the plot’s time-bending twists introduce not one, but two versions of Sonic: the modern, wisecracking hero we’re familiar with and his silent, old-school counterpart from the 2D era. Each Sonic brings his own unique gameplay style to the table. Modern Sonic’s stages are all about high-speed 3D action, packed with thrilling loops, boosts, and cinematic sequences that capture the rush of his recent adventures. Meanwhile, classic Sonic’s stages harken back to the platforming simplicity of the early 90s Mega Drive era, delivering a nostalgia-filled experience that feels like a love letter to Sonic’s roots.

This clever split in gameplay offers a blend of the best of both worlds: exhilarating, fast-paced 3D racing for modern fans, and a retro, side-scrolling challenge for those who grew up with the original games. The contrast between the two Sonics highlights just how far the series has come while celebrating the elements that have made Sonic such an enduring icon.

Both versions of Sonic bring distinct play styles to Sonic Generations. Modern Sonic can launch homing attacks on enemies and hit R2 for a burst of speed, provided he has enough rings for fuel. On the other hand, classic Sonic relies on his iconic spin dash to charge forward. His stages are crafted with a slightly slower pace, allowing for more platforming precision and a hint of exploration without the cinematic flair that defines his modern counterpart. Even when navigating the same Zone, the differences between the two Sonics make each act feel fresh and unique depending on which version of Sonic you’re playing.

The stage selection in Sonic Generations is a total thrill. From the nostalgia-filled Green Hill Zone to the chemical-filled frenzy of Chemical Plant, the grand architecture of Sky Sanctuary, and the urban chaos of City Escape, there’s a variety here that keeps things exciting and engaging, with fewer of the frustrating pitfalls that can pop up in Shadow’s missions. Stages are also teeming with adrenaline-fuelled set pieces that amplify the excitement. Whether you’re racing to avoid a rampaging truck, bouncing off a whale’s nose as a makeshift trampoline, or zipping down skyscrapers at breakneck speed, these scenes are some of the most memorable moments the Sonic franchise has to offer in recent years.

Visually, Sonic Generations shines with its high-definition makeover. Green Hill Zone’s lush greens and scenic waterfalls pop with vibrant colour, and Speed Highway’s neon-lit skyscrapers pulse with life, showcasing a crisp, energetic cityscape that complements the game’s exhilarating pace. The boss encounters, meanwhile, punctuate the action with epic challenges that push both platforming skill and combat reflexes, while the Rival Battles against series favourites like Metal Sonic, Shadow, and Silver add their own intense clashes, each rewarding you with a precious Chaos Emerald.

The performance is rock-solid too, maintaining a blistering frame rate with no discernible stutters, which only adds to the slick visual upgrade. Sonic X Shadow Generations is a fantastic collection that delivers some of Sonic’s best modern 3D stages to date while offering a nostalgic look back for long-time fans. Shadow’s campaign, despite its occasional difficulty spikes, adds worthwhile content that feels fresh yet familiar. Overall, this is an essential experience for Sonic fans, especially those seeking a thrilling follow-up to tide them over until the next major game or for anyone who found Sonic Frontiers just a bit outside their comfort zone.

This review utilised a PS5 key provided by Five Star Games and Sonic X Shadow Generations is out now on Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam and Epic Games Store.

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