Sometime this year, Sonic Frontiers is anticipating its last & biggest update for the game. As part of its 2023 free content roadmap, the remaining update is to feature new story content for the new game as well as include playable characters. Whilst faces like Tails, Knuckles, and Amy are anticipated, many players are also crossing their fingers to see Shadow the Hedgehog also return as well in some capacity for the latest release.
Additionally, Sega & Team Sonic is also preparing another release later this September. In that, a new throwback 2D title is being primed for release – Sonic Superstars. Integrating a lot of what players loved from Sonic Mania and the games before that come with this new game. But, some of what players identify with the IP is exempt from being featured in these select titles.
From an interview with Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka, he confirms that Shadow the Hedgehog is intended to be absent from the 2D games as he is strictly a ‘modern’ Sonic the Hedgehog character.
Shadow is from the Modern series of characters and gameplay that we have introduced. The Classic series exists before the Modern series, so they haven’t met at that time. There’s no relationship, so we won’t be bringing Shadow into the Classic series. Unfortunately, Shadow was in a capsule at that time.
So where does Shadow the Hedgehog lie exactly? Well, he will only appear in the newer, 3D releases, Iizuka elaborated. But for Sonic Superstars and other games that follow its approach will be familiar in the respect of Shadow’s absence. The only time recently this was overridden was with ‘The Murder Of Sonic the Hedgehog’ visual novel, but that’s a special exemption on this rule.
As for what could lie ahead for Shadow the Hedgehog, one speculated project is expected to return with Shadow plus more playable characters. In that, after the Fast Friends Forever trailer, players anticipate Sonic Heroes is to receive a remaster thanks to teases in the footage. You can read the full report by heading here.
Do you agree with Sonic Team’s rule for Shadow the Hedgehog?
Source: Game Informer