Developer – Sonic Team

Publisher – Sega

Platforms – PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 (reviewed)

Review copy given by publisher

Sonic Team has been killing it lately, and they’re back again with Sonic X Shadow Generations. The game offers a nostalgic trip down memory lane with the updated version of a classic, while simultaneously pushing the franchise forward with a fresh new campaign.

Sonic X Shadow Generations contains 2 titles: a remastered version of Sonic Generations, which came out back in 2011, along with a brand new game called Shadow Generations. It is the second ever game to feature Shadow as a main protagonist ever since Shadow the Hedgehog from all the way back in 2005! Both campaigns should last you between 15 to 20 hours, with over 150 stages filled with traditional, challenge, and boss stages. There’s also a new 3D hub world that expands as you progress along with an unlockable increased difficulty option for bosses and challenge levels.

Let’s first talk about the remaster of Sonic Generations. This portion of the game is a faithful recreation of the 2011 original, celebrating Sonic’s history by revisiting iconic stages from both the 2D and 3D eras. The game now features re-recorded voice lines and upgraded graphics with improved visuals, and runs at a smooth 60 frames per second, providing a polished visual experience on PlayStation 5. It also includes the Casino Night pinball DLC that was previously separate from the base game. In terms of gameplay, the remastered version introduces new content such as hidden Chao to rescue in each stage and developers have also incorporated the Drop Dash ability, which was first introduced in Sonic Mania. But the overall core gameplay has been largely unchanged to preserve the original experience. One can argue this remaster was unnecessary and the team could have just gone all in on the Shadow portion…

The real highlight however, is the all-new Shadow campaign. Building upon the foundations laid by Sonic Frontiers, Shadow’s adventure feels more refined and focused. Acts are divided up between 2D and 3D stages. The gameplay is smoother and more responsive, with Shadow’s unique abilities adding variety to the platforming and combat. But sadly, Shadow doesn’t use guns like he did back in his 2005 game. Instead, Shadow’s abilities focus more on his acquired “Doom Powers” throughout the story: Doom Spears, Doom Blast, and Doom Wing. His signature skill here is the Chaos Control mechanic, which allows him to briefly pause time to solve interesting puzzle elements and create opportunities for thrilling escapes from danger.

Level design deserves praise here, as the stages in Shadow’s portion are intense, breathtaking thrill rides that are designed to maintain momentum and flow, with rare moments where he stops moving. It also rewards exploration and experimentation with Shadow’s new moveset, offering multiple paths and shortcuts for veteran players (in addition to collectibles). You’ll be riding rails through space, punching missiles, flying down waterfalls, being chased by killer trains, and corkscrewing through warped cityscapes. Both campaigns also feature additional challenge stages and that provide focused tests of specific skills and abilities where you can practice with new moves. Oh, and there’s the occasional thrilling boss battle sprinkled in too for good measure.

The narrative, while not groundbreaking, provides an intriguing parallel to the events of Sonic Generations. It takes place in the timeless space created by the Time Eater. As Shadow pursues Black Doom, he is pulled into the White Space, the same realm where Sonic and Classic Sonic battle in their own game. He reunites with old friends and allies, learning more about his history and origins in the process. Most of all, the plot addresses why Shadow appears as a boss battle in Sonic’s part of the game, tying the two narratives together coherently.

Visually, Shadow Generations is a significant step up from its Sonic counterpart. The levels are beautifully designed, reimagining classic stages with modern flair while introducing new, visually striking set pieces. The 3D hub world is a welcome addition that adds a sense of cohesion to the experience. There’s even a nice Collection Room where you can learn more about Shadow’s history with a museum of artifacts! The audio design is another highlight, with a fantastic soundtrack that blends classic tunes with new compositions. I really enjoy the added option to customize the background music for each stage.

I’ll be honest and say that I am not good at these games. Both titles, especially Shadow’s part, contain plenty of uneven difficulty curves that make certain stages feel significantly more challenging than others. There were plenty of times where stages became a trial and error affair, for better or for worse. It might just be a skill issue, but I do think it’s worth mentioning for casual players such as myself.

Both games only take up 26.56GB on the PS5, which is quite compact! Performance is great all around and I especially adored the sound of the rings projecting from my DualSense controller instead of the television! Load times are immaculate, taking only a few seconds. Controls can be rebound and there is both a Performance and Image Quality mode! No complaints at all in the technical performance department.

Sonic X Shadow Generations is a strong dual game experience that marries nostalgia with innovation. It’s nice to revisit Sonic’s old stomping grounds from 11 years ago but the real star of the show is Shadow’s brand new campaign. I guess there’s still plenty of life left in Sega’s iconic mascot and his edgy counterpart.