Sonic X Shadow Generations Review – There is No Light Without Shadow

As a long-time fan of the Sonic series, I must say that I was thoroughly impressed with Sonic X Shadow Generations! Coming from a background of playing both classic 2D and modern 3D Sonic games, I found this unique blend of perspectives to be an exciting departure.

Sega has announced that 2024 will be known as “The Year of Shadow,” a decision that Shadow fans have been eagerly awaiting for quite some time. To say that the Ultimate Lifeform is popular would be an understatement, given how he’s been largely absent from the spotlight over the past few years. With Keanu Reeves providing his voice in an upcoming movie, Sega has chosen to revive Shadow the Hedgehog not just on the big screen but also in video games. This revival includes a brand-new game featuring Shadow as well as an upgraded version of one of Sonic’s best 3D games. The outcome is a two-game package that delivers quite a punch, even though the Sonic segment may seem slightly outdated at times.

While it’s not to say that the remastered version of Sonic Generations isn’t enjoyable, the original 2011 game is often praised as one of Sonic’s finest 3D adventures, and justifiably so. When you control Modern Sonic, which takes you through both 2.5D and 3D versions of the levels, Sonic Generations remains a thrill, featuring complex level design and fast-paced, momentum-building gameplay mechanics. On paper, this is also true when you play as Classic Sonic, where all levels are presented as 2D side-scrolling courses. However, in practice, these levels feel less interactive and the control isn’t as precise or responsive as it is with Modern Sonic.

Playing as Modern Sonic in Sonic Generations offers a thrilling experience. The game seamlessly transitions between 2.5D and 3D levels, maintaining its excitement. Sonic Generations continues to be an exhilarating ride, featuring intricate level designs and dynamic movement mechanics that build momentum.

It’s likely that the reason we find 2D Sonic games more enjoyable now is because the past few years have been quite favorable for fans in general. Games like Sonic Mania and Sonic Mania Plus have offered some of the finest 2D Sonic content ever, while Sonic Origins allowed us to revisit the series’ earliest and most acclaimed side-scrolling adventures. With such fantastic 2D Sonic games fresh in our minds, Generations’ 2D half doesn’t carry the novelty it once did when the game was first released in 2011, as that was a time when a good 2D Sonic console game hadn’t been around for quite some time. Additionally, on a moment-to-moment basis, Generations’ 2D levels feel less responsive and precise compared to the smooth controls found in games like Sonic Mania.

In the game Sonic Generations, Modern Sonic undeniably steals the show. Firstly, it’s thrilling to revisit levels that we’ve previously navigated in side-scrolling form and now experience them from a fresh perspective. Though you aren’t compelled to play through the levels in a specific sequence, the game offers a sense of flexibility. What truly sets Modern Sonic apart is the increased interactivity, freedom of movement, and focus on precise platforming skills.

In this updated version of Sonic X Shadow Generations, Sega’s careful remastering has further emphasized the game’s strong points. Compared to its 2011 predecessor, the Sonic part of this compilation isn’t particularly innovative, but it stands as the ideal way to experience a beloved classic. The updated controls give the game a more contemporary feel, aligning it with the controls in 2022’s Frontiers, although you can opt for classic controls if preferred. Additionally, the game boasts improved visuals and performance, with my playthrough so far being free of major technical issues.

Sonic X Shadow Generations Review – There is No Light Without Shadow

In comparison to its 2011 predecessor, the Sonic portion of “Sonic X Shadow Generations” doesn’t strive for groundbreaking innovation. However, due to its solid execution, it stands as the optimal choice for fans who prefer this classic title.

The star attraction in this two-game set is “Shadow Generations”, a fresh game featuring everyone’s favorite spiky mammal. With its independent storyline, running through the new campaign of “Sonic Generations” feels like a more acceptable compromise. Fortunately, “Shadow Generations” lives up to expectations – it’s exceptionally good, and there’s a strong chance that many players might prefer its adventure over Sonic’s own quest.

In the game titled “Shadow Generations,” the Ultimate Lifeform finds himself confronting his troubled past yet again, embarking on a fresh adventure aimed at thwarting Black Doom’s designs of global domination. Similar to “Sonic Generations,” Shadow’s new quest enables players to dash through stages in two distinct modes. However, unlike previous 2D games for Shadow, the approach here is slightly different. The standard version of each stage takes you on a 3D run, while upon completing it once, you can replay it in a 2.5D mode, as opposed to a fully-fledged 2D side-scrolling level.

In comparison to “Sonic Generations”, some players might find “Shadow Generations” lacking in level variety, but the 2.5D levels offer distinct experiences that still manage to produce the same impact, even though they’re not traditional side-scrolling stages. The consistent high-quality design of the levels ensures that repeated playthroughs of the same stage from different perspectives remain engaging, which is crucial for a “Sonic” game.

As a gamer, I can say that Shadow Generations significantly enhances the hub world from Sonic Generations, just like how Shadow has his own version of the White Space hub. Similar to Sonic, this space serves as a transition between levels, but it’s not just a linear path – it keeps growing throughout your gaming experience, drawing inspiration from the open-zone design of Sonic Frontiers. Unlike Sonic’s traditional side-scrolling hub, however, Shadow’s White Space is fully open-ended, offering a vast, explorable area. The movement feels smooth and fluid, exploration yields exciting rewards, and there’s simply more to interact with outside the levels. While some might miss the sidescrolling levels, having an expansive open world hub makes up for it in the end.

Sonic X Shadow Generations Review – There is No Light Without Shadow

Shadow Generations is exceptionally well-crafted, such that it might very well win over admirers who prefer it even more than Sonic’s own storyline.

Playing Shadow Generations provides a more responsive and streamlined control experience compared to Sonic Generations on a fundamental level. While the latter continues to operate on its original Hedgehog Engine, even after remastering, Shadow Generations was developed from scratch using Hedgehog Engine 2, the same platform used for Frontiers. The difference in gameplay between the two titles is quite noticeable, with Shadow’s campaign featuring controls that are noticeably quicker and more precise. Moreover, Shadow’s aggressive moveset, inherent to his character, gives him an edge over Sonic in terms of overall game feel. Even basic actions within Shadow Generations feel tighter compared to the original Sonic game.

For first-time players and fans returning for more, Sonic X Shadow Generations has much to offer. The original part of the experience may have some issues with dated elements in its 2D segments, but overall, the 2011 platformer maintains most of its strengths, and in a remastered version, it remains a strong platformer that’s worth giving a try (or revisiting if you already have). The main attraction here is everyone’s favorite rebellious character, Shadow, who stars in a fresh campaign featuring well-crafted levels, exhilarating platforming action, and pulse-pounding set pieces. Sonic X Shadow Generations serves as a tribute to a beloved 3D Sonic title while also highlighting the fan favorite character of Shadow the Hedgehog.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

2024-10-21 17:11

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