Sonic x Shadow Generations Review (PS5)
Sonic Team’s best work yet and it’s not even close.
As a longtime fan of the blue hedgehog, I’ve seen it all. From the highs of Sonic Generations to the lows with Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric, many would associate the franchise with his failures rather his wins.
Sonic Mania is still a shining spot for the franchise but Sonic Team would later weigh it down by releasing Sonic Forces a few months later.
Sonic Team would try again five years later with Sonic Frontiers, the franchise’s transition into the open-world formula. While there are many aspects to like, the game still has room for improvement. A very good step in the right direction as many fans put it.
The reason why Sonic x Shadow Generations is Sonic Team’s best work in over ten years is not because it’s a remaster of Sonic Generations. Rather, Shadow Generations delivers phenomenal level design, stunning visuals, and a story that will tug at your heartstrings.
It’s not just a good Sonic game but one of the best video games released this year, period.
When it was first announced, fans already knew Shadow Generations was special. It’s not because SEGA deemed 2024 as The Year of Shadow but the production quality is above and beyond anything Sonic Team has produced so far.
The Sonic Generations part of this collection is what you would expect. Although I didn’t fully complete it, I felt transported back to 2011 with shinier graphics and a higher frame rate. Probably the best and most accessible way to play it now. On the topic of the changes, rewrites, etc., I’m indifferent towards them.
Shadow Generations is a brand new standalone adventure featuring the Ultimate Lifeform. Since the days of headlining his own game in 2005, he’s been taking a backseat in the franchise ever since. Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) was the last time Shadow had a major role. He did get a free DLC episode in Sonic Forces but that was more or less tacked on garbage.
With hype being at an all time, Shadow Generations thankfully delivers on fan expectations.
We’re taken through Shadow’s history, much like Sonic Generations does for the blue blur. Because Shadow’s backstory is much more complicated than a modern vs. classic story-line, the narrative needs to fit that tone.
Ian Flynn is responsible for the story and script for Shadow Generations. In collaboration with SEGA Japan and the lore team, so much respect is paid to Shadow’s character. Without spoilers, I have to applaud Flynn for his writing here.
I have never felt this emotional about a Sonic story since like…ever.
We’ve had big, bombastic stories featuring a time traveling hedgehog and water monsters destroying the world. And the one to tug at my heartstrings is about an alien hedgehog reconnecting with his close friend from years ago. Characters make stories impactful, not larger than life events.
From the first level alone, while re-introducing Black Doom and the threads of Shadow’s past reappearing, we’re given an action packed level with high speed running and platforming. I knew immediately that Shadow Generations was special and Sonic Team nailed it.
Shadow’s gameplay is similar to Sonic but with the additions of Chaos Spears and Chaos Control, there’s different way to manipulate the level. Slowing down time to run across missiles or chuck Chaos Spears to stun enemies.
We get to explore levels from Shadow’s past like Rail Canyon and Kingdom Valley. The most important aspect in the level design is actual platforming sections. Usually in this boost era of Sonic, it’s all about going fast. Here, the game asks the player to slow down and take a moment to platform across obstacles and enemies.
I love this approach because you can’t just hold the boost button and go forward to finish the level. Each level is crafted to be challenging and fun to complete. Multiple pathways makes replays much more rewarding.
White Space is the hub world and the open-zone exploration aspect from Sonic Frontiers. I can see myself getting lost for hours trying to collect every single collectible.
On top of the normal Act Levels, in order to unlock the boss keys, there will be challenge levels for these same Acts. Different level design with an objective attached like killing a certain amount of enemies, surviving with only one ring, or jump through X amount of rings. They’re similar to Sonic Generations but these feel much better.
Doom Powers are slowly introduced which give Shadow new abilities. The wings are the most popular ones because he is straight up flying. He’ll glide horizontally and can’t ascend from the height Shadow takes off. This does make the ability balanced but really annoying when I jump too low or miss my jump.
The Doom Spears are just better Chaos Spears, locking onto five targets at once.
Doom Blast lets Shadow knock Doom enemies into the air, destroying anything in its path and teleporting Shadow to where the enemy lands. Doom Surf allows Shadow to skate across water. Lastly, Doom Morph transforms Shadow into a Doom-like creature to scale and swing across specific surfaces. Probably the most difficult power to use out of the bunch.
In each level, there will be three collectibles to find that will unlock chests in the White Space. They can be concept art, music, or a piece of Shadow’s history. Much more rewarding than the red rings which only unlock artwork.
Once the boss room unlocks, it’s time to fight one of Shadow’s villains from his past. They’re all fantastic fights and a splendid way to cap off each Act.
The presentation quality is outstanding in Shadow Generations. The visuals are the best we’ve seen for any Sonic game so far. The animations and tiny subtleties in Shadow’s movement are wonderful. Music is always on point for Sonic games and Shadow Generations delivers once more. From originals to returning tracks, it’s all good stuff.
White Space does not have any pop-in issues like Sonic Frontiers. Everything can be seen, no matter how far you are. The game can run at 60 frames per second on the PlayStation 5 without any slowdown or dips in performance.
Shadow Generations might be the perfect formula for future 3D Sonic games. A two Act structure, challenges in between, boss fights at the end, and an open-zone area for exploration and collectibles.
Doom Powers make Shadow more fun and exhilarating to play. In combination with a well thought out story on Shadow’s past, this is the best Sonic Team produced Sonic game in years, without question.
I don’t know how long Shadow Generations has been in development but however long it took, try to replicate it for the next game. Sonic Frontiers 2 or whatever comes next could definitely benefit from this game. I can highly recommend this to anyone who has history with the blue hedgehog. Shadow Generations is truly one of the best Sonic games in years where you don’t have to put an asterisk regarding its flaws.
This is just a fantastic video game.
Travis “tvsonic” Vuong
Business e-mail: travisvuong56@gmail.com
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