Back in 2011, Sonic Generations was heralded as a return to form for SEGA's spiky mascot. After a spate of poorly-received games, Sonic Team finally brought the hedgehog back with this simple and reflective title, celebrating the character's 20th anniversary. 13 years later, this fan favourite has returned with a remaster on modern platforms, and while it's perfectly serviceable, the real draw is a brand new campaign starring the edgy antihero, Shadow the Hedgehog.
The pair of games are bundled together in Sonic X Shadow Generations, a package that's well worth the asking price if you're a fan. The remaster of Sonic Generations saves a beloved title from being stuck on PS3, and it's fine; the boost to performance is welcome and it looks reasonably nice in motion. However, there are still one or two spots where the game judders or the frame rate dips, and some cutscenes only serve to highlight its age.
These are superficial annoyances, though — the game itself is as you remember it, with additional Chao to find and collect in each level. The game plays exactly as it did at the time, which is to say the Classic Sonic levels have slightly funky physics but are broadly enjoyable, while the Modern Sonic stages represent some of the best 'Boost' style gameplay in the series.
Having said that, we still have some issues with how 3D Sonic operates here; stages are intended to be played many times as you memorise their layouts and optimise the run, but before you reach that point it can be painful. Obstacles that stop you dead, enemies you couldn't have seen coming, and unpredictable physics can cause a lot of frustration. It can all feel too fast and chaotic at times. However, when you do find a rhythm, it can be a lot of fun, and hurtling through stages based on zones from throughout the series' history remains charming.
While the remaster will pull in fans of the original, it's the all-new Shadow Generations that really sweetens the deal. With a story running parallel to the events of Sonic Generations, the black and red hedgehog also gets pulled into the Time Eater's shenanigans, leaving him in a white void featuring locations from his past. As well as dealing with that, it appears that Black Doom is back on the scene. Awakening strange, alien abilities as he goes, Shadow's got plenty to scowl about.
Based upon the foundations laid down by 2022's Sonic Frontiers, Shadow Generations feels far smoother to play than the remaster. Moreover, Shadow is frankly a more interesting character to play as compared to Sonic's streamlined Generations move set. He matches the blue blur's speed and homing attack, but has access to a projectile that can stun enemies, and Chaos Control, which builds up as you defeat enemies and can then briefly pause time, allowing you to dodge hazards or use them as platforms. You can also find light trails during this phase that let you dash through a portion of the level.
On top of that, Shadow will gradually unlock a new range of Doom powers as you progress. Doom Spears upgrade his projectile so he can target several enemies at once, while Doom Blast launches certain foes into the air, knocks them back, and then teleports you to where they land. Another, Doom Surf, allows Shadow to traverse water, which comes in handy when the hub world starts to expand.
Again, the influence of Frontiers is clear here. Instead of Sonic Generations' side-scrolling hub, Shadow is treated to a fully 3D space that gradually grows larger as you play through stages. It's not an enormous environment when all is said and done, but it is a more interesting one to explore. Shadow's Doom abilities make it a fun place to zoom around, and there's some extra things to see and do.
Instead of Red Rings, each stage contains three tokens to find — each one able to unlock chests in the hub world, which contain music, artwork, and more for the Collection Room. You can also track down rocket parts in the hub, which you can return to Cubot and Orbot, rewarding you with yet more goodies. It all feels quite cohesive, and certainly more focused than Frontiers.
Structurally, Shadow Generations has much in common with its stablemate. You'll blast through 3D and 2D stages based upon zones from various titles Shadow has appeared in (and one he hasn't), and in between you'll explore the white space, where challenges award you keys that open up boss fights. It's great seeing some classic stages revisited; franchise fans will relish rocketing through levels from Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic Heroes, Sonic Forces, and more.
The level design itself feels like a step above, too. Staples of modern Sonic are here — alternate pathways leading to shortcuts, auto-pilot sequences of springs, and plenty of spectacle surrounding the core action. However, thanks to the improved controls and pacing, the typical headaches associated with 3D Sonic are largely cured. You're still rewarded for skilful play and learning the layouts of each level, but doing so is more fun in Shadow Generations because you don't run into those momentum-halting walls or traps. Shadow can feel a little slippery on occasion, but overall we enjoyed playing his side of things much more than Sonic's. Building off of what was achieved in Frontiers, the chaos of previous titles finally feels under control.
It also helps that Shadow's additional abilities make his stages more varied. As you unlock them, future acts will incorporate them, and while these powers are only useful in certain places, they diversify the design and stop things from becoming too samey. Doom Wing, which lets Shadow glide, can be activated in every level once unlocked, and it warrants its own score/time records, as it allows for a very different playthrough of each stage.
The bosses should get a quick shout-out as well. They're few in number, and don't present a great deal of challenge, but the fights are fun and varied, again making decent use of Shadow's new moves. It's also just neat to see throwbacks to past antagonists.
Conclusion
Sonic X Shadow Generations is a great two-for-one deal, but for us, the antihero's half of the package steals the show. While the remaster of the 13-year-old platformer is perfectly fine, Shadow's brand new campaign outshines it with much improved gameplay and level design. The older game definitely shows its age in some regards, but bundling together one of the most beloved Sonic titles with one of the best 3D entries in recent memory makes for a compelling double feature.
Comments 37
Happy to answer any questions
I've preordered today to start playing at midnight, picked it up on steam though in the hopes the stutters will be less by throwing more hardware at it.
It seems like it lacks the big technical problems which plagued the Colours remaster which was my biggest concern.
I'm really glad to see it turned out good. Sonic games always have a chance of being randomly bad, so glad this one's solid.
@AdamNovice Sonic Generations' remaster is definitely better constructed than Colours'. It does have one or two odd hitches, as I mention, but it's mostly very smooth sailing.
Good to see that Shadow has 2D stages! That wasn't clear from the trailers I've seen!
Braw, looking forward to it, pre ordered for much cheapness off indonesia psn store.
Had the digital deluxe pre-ordered so i shell be playing tomorrow. Shadow is the real draw here so i'm glad his campaign is the highlight.
There seems to be a worrying lack of glocks, ARs, and shotguns, but I'm sure it's still a good time 😏 Looking forward to buying this one down the line (too many games lately holy moly).
Wow to be honest this looks a lot spookier than expected. Can't wait to give it a try!
Ow the edge is ready
I think from a value perspective it deserves a 9. Sonic Generations alone is already a 8.
Thanks for the review, sounds pretty much what I expected. Looking forward to it.
Sonic Generations wasn’t on PS4 sure but it also wasn’t stuck on PS3…
@K1LLEGAL Actually, it is available on Series X in 4K60FPS and it's one of the best 3D platformers ever. Yeah, I know it has 2D stages as well. I'd rate it 9/10, 10/10 if the 2D part was as good. Anyway, what I don't like about this new version is the needless and ridiculous censorship.
@Banjo- yea that’s my point. Not sure how it’s stuck on PS3 if I can play it on Series X 🤷♂️ I enjoyed it, played it on Series X during lockdown I think.
@K1LLEGAL It's a blast. The best Sonic 3D yet. Frontiers is almost there, just need more Sonic flavour next time.
@Broosh
Yup, I'm still not even done with Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom or Silent Hill 2 yet and the new Mario & Luigi game releases next month as well. Still going to get this one this week, though.
8/10? Sonic is so back
I really dislike talking animals Sonic, but I'm glad for the fans. Been eating good for a while...if you're into that sort of thing.
@Waluigi451 Absolutely! A 8/10 Sonic game equals a 10/10 Sony game. 😉
@Fishnpeas While that's a perfectly logical way to do the fact this is stuttering and dropping frames on a PS5 even the base model is terrible. As the review says it's a 13 year old 360/PS3 game and I don't recall much in the way of drops when I played it all those years ago. Sega seem pretty inept in this respect tbh.
@Quintumply I have one!
Is the song ''Endless Possibilities'' (Sonic Unleashed) in the game? Because I started Shadow's story and it didn't show up in the BGM list.. I also heard there could've been some issues with licensing or something? I
@Maubari I've not collected every single track, though I have most of them, and so far I haven't seen Endless Possibilities.
@Quintumply Shoot, that's not very encouraging.. How about ''Savannah Citadel'' or ''Windmill Isle'', both also from Unleashed?
I looked up where Endless Possibilities should be and that should be unlocked after around 20/90 challenge gates so the fact that you don't have it yet is... disturbing
@Maubari Haha, I've played all stages and challenges, but not collected absolutely everything, so that's all it is. I haven't seen those other two tracks either yet, as it so happens!
Does this game use any of the DualSense features? I thought I saw it advertised but like specifically how is it used?
@Banjo- is there any censorship? What things they censored in 3+ game?
They censored Knuckles joking about classic Sonic's rounder figure, Rouge's back, Sonic trying to get rid of Amy... It's almost unbelievable.
Sometimes you need to press a button during this game to win. Allegedly.
@LikelySatan
At times, it looks like it's almost the equivalent of watching somebody on a roller coaster ride.
I want shadow the hedgehog 2 game now
@Banjo- Yeah that's annoying as heck, I don't think there's even 1 complain about that but I guess sega usa consultant have to prove themselves, they can't just say "well this game doesn't need us, it's already not insensitive", because that's means they're not needed lol.
@wiiware Right. I imagine these meetings with people trying to sound superior, designing changes for a new world. 🤣
So pleased that this is reviewing well. What’s not to love? Sonic Generations alone is a fantastic game but Shadow elevates this to a new level (9/10) We now await Sonic Adventures remakes with a f#@k off huge Chao Garden non?
@Pedski Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 and also Sonic Heroes would be great, camera fixed and remastered.
Finished the Shadow Generations half of the game there. Mostly excellent apart from a few finicky bits. I'd agree with the 8/10 score so far. Never played the original Sonic Generations so onto that next.
Removed - disrespecting others; user is banned
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