Sonic X Shadow Generations is a compilation title with a difference. Though fans of the furry speedster’s past adventures will be no stranger to package games (think Sonic Gems Collection and Sonic Origins), this is the first time we’ve had an entire half of the deal be dedicated to a completely new experience.
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Whether you’re a follower of the Blue Blur, head over heels for the edgy hedgie Shadow, or simply looking to get back into the series after an extended absence, Sonic X Shadow Generations has you covered. Still: is it worth the asking price, and how many hours can you expect to squeeze out of it? We’ve got the lowdown.
Review
Sonic X Shadow Generations is, as you might expect, a platforming game that focuses on high-speed, reaction-centric levels; these reward memorization with high scores (and adrenaline.) Included in the package are two pieces of software: a fairly basic remaster of 2011’s Sonic Generations, with some added wrinkles like a ‘Chao Rescue’ mode, and Shadow Generations, which is an original campaign starring the Ultimate Life Form.
In an uncharacteristic development for the franchise, Sonic X Shadow Generations has been met with near-unanimous acclaim. Players and critics alike have heaped praise upon it, declaring it the best 3D Sonic offering in over a decade and a tremendous value for how much content it squeezes in.
Our own Rhiannon Bevan awarded it four stars out of five, and eagerly affirmed that “the vibe is immaculate… and if there’s one thing that this series has always put at the forefront, it’s feel.” Likewise, she was keen on the narrative, which at last allows some cathartic resolution for Shadow’s traumatic, decades-long backstory: “without getting into specifics, the story is something fans have wanted for years.”
“Shadow Generations does indulge in a bit of edge when it comes to its soundtrack – but ‘All Hail Shadow’ slaps, so that’s fine.”
From the gameplay angle, there’s a clearer divide between Sonic and Shadow’s campaigns. While Shadow Generations utilizes the years of refinement that Sega have under their belt since 2011, a fact evident in just how effortlessly Shadow controls, Sonic Generations is presented here verbatim, warts and all. This does make the transition from one game’s handling to the other a bit jarring.
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In the Sonic portion, Rhiannon would still find herself “dashing repeatedly into the same problem and cursing the homing attack for not kicking in when it looked like it should.” She recommended that “some changes could have been made without compromising its integrity,” citing the boss fights in particular, which were a major bugbear for fans in the OG.
The Time Eater battle routinely tops lists of the most frustrating Sonic final bosses, with its incessant sidekick chatter and wonky flight physics – it remains unchanged in Sonic X Shadow Generations.
In summary, “Sonic Generations plays exactly how it did in 2011, just a little prettier,” so the question of if that’s a deal-breaker or not can only be answered by you, dear reader. The general consensus seems to be that these niggles aren’t enough to outweigh the sheer fun factor of Sonic Generations, nor the high highs of Shadow’s story.
Cost
Sonic X Shadow Generations is available on essentially every contemporary platform under the sun. Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, the Xbox One family, and PC all have access to the game (although note that the Switch version, already straining under the load of the fancy Hedgehog Engine, is locked at 30fps compared to the 60fps you’ll get elsewhere.)
Across the board, the game is priced at $49.99, which is a slightly more budget price than the industry norm, reflective of its remaster nature. In the past, mainline Sonic games like Mania and Forces have gone for as little as $40, so there’s a marginal increase to be aware of if you’ve gotten used to scoring these titles on the cheap.
It’s also important to be aware that this is now the only way to play Sonic Generations without hunting down an old physical copy, as Sega (rather sneakily) delisted the original version from Steam in anticipation of the release. Those who already own it can obviously still play it – but going forward, anyone interested in this celebration of Sonic’s history will need to invite Shadow along too.
How Long To Beat?
Individually, Sonic Generations and Shadow Generations are not long games. They each have only a handful of stages (all pulled from past games, including Green Hill Zone, Kingdom Valley, and Planet Wisp) which will run you three or four minutes apiece. In theory, this could see you rolling the credits for each campaign inside of four hours.
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However, Sega saw fit to pad the experience for both Sonic and Shadow, to ensure players didn’t feel like they hadn’t got their money’s worth. In both stories, you’ll need to complete extra ‘challenge acts’ in between stages to gain keys that unlock bosses; these range from footraces to character battles, and bolt a couple of extra hours onto the runtime.
Shadow has an even longer stretch ahead of him, thanks to his fully 3D hub world in comparison to Sonic’s 2D one. With hidden secrets and unlockables to uncover, a la Sonic Frontiers‘ open zones, it’s easy to get lost in and stretch your hedgehog legs.
All told, each campaign will last somewhere in the region of five to ten hours, with around 15 needed for the completion of both stories. Going for full completion – that’s all S ranks, Red Rings, Chao, and irritating little bolts in Shadow’s hub – will balloon your time to the region of 30-40 hours, easily.
What Players Are Saying
Generations Apart – Hilton Webster
When Sonic Generations originally released, it felt like a grand return to what made Sonic great. There was a tightening of the controls for Modern Sonic while still celebrating the joy of his speed. Classic Sonic came back with a greater reliance on momentum-based play. It was wonderful.
With Shadow Generations, that same feeling has been reignited. In his first starring adventure since his standalone game, Shadow has a game that genuinely plays like the tightest of any 3D Sonic game, and threw in plenty of gimmicks that both function well and enhance the experience.
And it’s because Shadow Generations feels so good that it’s surprising none of the many improvements to his controls were brought over to the original Sonic Generations. In terms of level design, the whole package is stellar, though Modern Sonic’s portion can feel unnecessarily aged in comparison.
Come For The Remaster, Stay For The Shadow Content – Josh Coulson
I was skeptical when I heard people labeling the Shadow half of Sonic x Shadow Generations Sega’s take on Bowser’s Fury. After playing it, I was pleasantly surprised to find those comparisons were spot on. Since I’m a Sonic fan in my 30s, I tend to prefer the Blue Blur’s 2D exploits. Shadow Generations is a rare example of a 3D Sonic game that stands alongside some of my favorite 2D entries. It feels and controls better than most, if not all other 3D games in the series.
Unfortunately, the remastered half of the game drags my overall opinion down a little. The remaster is as good as the original, but once you’ve played the Shadow content, you’ll be left wondering why that polished, modern-day feel wasn’t better applied to the game it shares a disc with. That said, Shadow Generations alone makes this game worth the price of entry. Just treat the Sonic Generations remaster as an added, albeit somewhat underwhelming, bonus.
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It’s Been Generations Since We’ve Eaten This Good – Bobby Mills
You don’t need me to tell you what a rough patch Sonic was in at the time Generations hit the scene in 2011, so I won’t bow to the usual clichés about “poor transitions to 3D,” and so on. The point is, Gens lit a much-needed firecracker under the ailing series’ posterior; a firecracker which Unleashed had gingerly slid into place, and which Colors had spent its runtime trying to ignite.
And now it’s back, baby. The Sonicverse is healthier than it’s ever been nowadays, arguably moreso than the ’90s; with numerous theatrical movies, TV shows, and games being pumped out with alarming regularity. Sonic X Shadow Generations feels like the culmination of all the goodwill of late.
In one corner, you’ve got Sonic Gens, with all the high-octane goodness you remember it having. Sure, controlling Modern Sonic in 3D platforming areas is still a nightmare, and the bosses are pants – but when City Escape kicks in, you’re home. Then, in the other corner, there’s Shadow Gens, which just casually picks up where 2005’s Shadow game left off, as if the fanbase hadn’t spent two decades bashing it.
Shadow Gens is as good as modern 3D Sonic could possibly get, given technological limitations. The level design’s tight, the music slaps so hard it sends you to A&E, and the constant lore drops courtesy of writer Ian Flynn are much-welcomed. Two awesome games at one convenient price? It’s a Blue Blur bargain.
- Released
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October 25, 2024
- Developer(s)
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Sonic Team
- Engine
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Hedgehog Engine 2
- ESRB
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E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Steam Deck Compatibility
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Verified
- OpenCritic Rating
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Strong