The iconic duo of Sonic and Shadow has long been a fan-favorite, and Sonic X Shadow Generations blends nostalgia with innovation, offering a thrilling high-speed journey that keeps the Blue Blur’s charm while pushing the series in exciting new directions. At first glance, this may seem like a simple remaster of the beloved 2011 classic Sonic Generations, but scratch beneath the surface, and you’ll find a more substantial package. With a healthy dose of nostalgia and a dash of fresh experimentation, this game reintroduces Sonic’s best levels alongside a brand-new campaign focused on the edgy anti-hero, Shadow the Hedgehog.
For fans of Sonic Generations, the formula here is tried and true: iconic stages from the hedgehog’s storied past, revamped with modern visuals and controls. The game offers a perfect blend of 2D and 3D gameplay, combining the classic side-scrolling sections with fast-paced 3D levels. Whether you’re zipping through Green Hill Zone or battling it out on City Escape, the remaster’s slight graphical tweaks—more vibrant colors, sharper environments—make it the best way to revisit these beloved stages. There’s also the return of the Chao, hidden in each stage as a sweet callback to the Sonic Adventure days.
However, while Sonic’s campaign offers a generous dose of nostalgia, it’s also where the game feels a little dated. The core gameplay remains unchanged, which is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, the levels are still as fun and fast as ever, but on the other, the old-school control quirks and sometimes lackluster boss battles (the final boss is particularly uninspired) hold it back from feeling like a true next-gen experience. Sonic’s homing attack, for example, still doesn’t feel as precise as it should, leading to some frustrating moments during more intricate platforming sections.
If Sonic’s campaign feels familiar, Shadow’s portion of the game is an entirely different beast. Borrowing elements from Sonic Frontiers, Shadow Generations feels like a peek into the future of Sonic Team’s game design philosophy. Shadow’s journey delves deeper into his troubled past, taking him back to familiar locations like the Space Colony Ark and Radical Highway, but with a fresh twist. This isn’t the angsty, action-heavy Shadow we’ve seen before—here, Shadow’s story strikes a balance between introspective moments and high-octane action. The narrative offers satisfying closure, touching on his backstory without sinking into melodrama.
What truly elevates the Shadow campaign is his suite of new powers—called Doom Powers—that open up a world of possibilities. These abilities, like Chaos Dash (which allows Shadow to phase through obstacles) and Doom Surf (a slick mechanic for gliding over water), breathe new life into the classic Sonic formula. These powers, paired with reimagined levels, make Shadow’s stages feel more expansive and dynamic compared to Sonic’s more straightforward paths. There’s a true sense of freedom as you tackle each level, experimenting with different abilities to find the most optimal route.
The core gameplay loop in Shadow’s story mirrors that of Sonic Generations, but with a level of flexibility that makes it far more engaging. Instead of constantly relying on the sometimes temperamental homing attack, Shadow’s range of new moves allows for more varied combat and platforming. It’s a much-needed evolution in the series, and it makes Shadow’s stages consistently enjoyable and rewarding.
The only downside is that while the Shadow campaign’s story is satisfying, it leaves you wanting more. Clocking in at around 7 hours, it feels a little too short, and it could have benefited from a longer runtime to fully explore the potential of these new mechanics. But what’s here is a perfect proof-of-concept for a full-length Shadow game—and fans will be left eagerly hoping for more.
Shadow X Sonic Generations doesn’t just stop at the main stages. The game introduces an expanded hub world, where players can explore and collect keys to unlock bonus stages, artwork, and other unlockables. The hub world evolves as you progress, giving you a sense of accomplishment as you complete stages and discover hidden secrets.
As in Sonic Generations, there are also challenge acts, but these are more varied this time around. Whether you’re tasked with collecting rings within a time limit or completing a stage with just a single ring, these challenges provide extra replay value. They can be frustrating at times, but overcoming them feels rewarding, especially when you unlock additional content or new gameplay features.
While Sonic Generations feels like a faithful remaster, Shadow Generations represents a bold step forward. The sharp contrast between the two halves is both the game’s strength and its weakness. On one hand, it’s hard to fault the remastered Sonic stages; they’re still a blast to play. On the other, after experiencing the polish and innovation in Shadow’s campaign, Sonic’s levels can feel a little stale in comparison. The old Sonic controls still have their issues, and the boss battles remain the weakest aspect of the game.
That said, Sonic X Shadow Generations works as a complete package, providing a fun nostalgia trip with Sonic Generations, while introducing a more experimental, exciting Shadow campaign that hints at the future direction of the series.
Sonic X Shadow Generations is an excellent addition to the Sonic franchise—one that brings fans both old and new something to enjoy. The remastered Sonic levels are a welcome return to form, while the Shadow campaign is an unexpected highlight, full of creativity and new mechanics that push the series forward. However, the game’s uneven balance between the two halves means that it doesn’t reach its full potential.
Sonic fans will love revisiting the past, but it’s Shadow who steals the spotlight, offering a glimpse into the future of the franchise. If Sonic Frontiers was a step in the right direction, then Shadow Generations is proof that there’s still plenty of room for Sonic Team to experiment and evolve. Here’s hoping that Shadow gets his own standalone adventure next time.
Sonic X Shadow Generations is a high-speed celebration of the past and a promising look at the future—one that will leave you wanting more of Shadow’s chaotic adventure.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch
Developer: Sonic Team
Publisher: SEGA
Played on: Microsoft Windows
Price: Rs 3,999 (Steam)
