In 2011, Sega released Sonic Generations which stood out as one of the better Sonic the Hedgehog games during a time when the franchise was known for its terrible games than the good ones. It was praised by critics and mixed the classic and modern versions of the Blue Blur, allowing fans to relive some of their favourite stages from both eras. Now in 2024, Sonic Generations receives a remaster, but he’s not alone, as Shadow the Hedgehog finally receives a brand new and long overdue game titled, Shadow Generations. Together they make Sonic X Shadow Generations, spin dashing its way to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4|5, Nintendo Switch and PC.

The stories of both games happen parallel to each other. In Sonic Generations, Sonic’s universe is thrown into chaos when a mysterious new power comes into force, creating time holes that take Sonic and his friends back in time. Whilst there, Sonic runs into some familiar faces from his past including a younger version of himself. The two Sonics must band together to take down this enemy and repair the timestream. In Shadow Generations, Shadow finds himself in White Space, discovering relics that cause his body to mutate and develop new dark powers. His old nemesis, Black Doom, has reemerged and threatens to take over the world again. Shadow must journey into his past, confront his painful memories, and use his dark powers to save the world.

The remaster of Sonic Generations feels and plays just like the 2011 original but with a graphical upgrade. There are no changes to the gameplay, but it didn’t need any since the original was and still is a fantastic game that still holds up well today. Players will take control of both the classic and modern versions of Sonic, with the former focusing on classic 2D side-scrolling gameplay and is a homage to the original Sonic games on the Sega Master System and Mega Drive/Genesis.

The modern version is a mix of the 2D side-scrolling gameplay and the 3D platforming format that began with 1998’s Sonic Adventure on the Dreamcast. Each world has two acts, one for each Sonic plus various challenge levels to gain some keys and unlock the epic boss battles. No matter which version of Sonic you play, the game is fast, and furious and will get your adrenaline pumping.

The gameplay in Shadow Generations is much like the modern Sonic sections in Sonic Generations, but Shadow has his unique abilities and gains new powers as the game progresses. Shadow’s game is just as fast-paced and a real adrenaline rush like Sonic’s, but in a style that reflects Shadow’s edgy and anti-hero persona. Shadow can activate Chaos Control to freeze time for a short period, stop everything in its place and allow him to get through impossible obstacles and access alternate paths. The Doom Powers he gains throughout his game allows him to shoot energy spears, surf on water, grow wings to glide, and more.

Both games have their versions of White Space, the hub worlds where the two Sonics and Shadow can access all the stages and challenge levels they’ve unlocked. Sonic Generations keeps the same side-scrolling hub world from the original game, while Shadow Generations has a full 3D version with open-world gameplay like 2022’s Sonic Frontiers. It works much like Sonic’s game with each world being a throwback to older games that Shadow has appeared in, which fans of the Edgehog will appreciate.

Both games are similar, but also distinguish themselves from each other, with Sonic Generations maintaining its bright and colourful style, while Shadow Generations goes for a dark and evil tone. Both games look fantastic in action and give that real sense of pure speed. Sometimes the speed can be a hindrance because it moves faster than your eyes can keep up with, but it is easily forgivable due to how much fun you’ll be having rolling around at the speed of sound.

The stage designs across both games are incredibly well made, never with a dull moment. Being throwbacks of older stages from the franchise’s 33-year history, longtime fans will be hit with nostalgia while running through Green Hill Zone, jumping over killer whales, outrunning a speeding truck, battling Mephiles, and so much more. Things get even crazier in Shadow’s levels as the stages warp into different shapes, forcing you to adapt and change your tactics. The boss battles in both games are of epic proportions and will keep you on your toes.

Adding to the nostalgia is the soundtrack with original and remixed versions of fan favourite tracks from various Sonic games as players dash through each stage and even more can unlocked and players can listen to any song in any stage. Hearing the tunes of Crush 40, TJ Davis, Merry Kirk-Holmes, Kellin Quinn, and more never gets old.

Many familiar voice actors from the Sonic franchise reprise their roles in both Japanese and English. Fans will hear the voices of Roger Craig Smith, Kirk Thornton, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, and Mike Pollock to name a few, and can all be heard in all the well-animated CGI cutscenes in both games. The story for Sonic Generations has an interesting premise with Sonic and Tails meeting their past selves and stars many other characters from the Sonic franchise, but overall is a simple story. It isn’t a bad story, just nothing big and impactful like other Sonic games have managed to do.

The story for Shadow Generations, however, is a lot more fleshed out and dives much deeper into his lore, his bond with Maria and the emotional pain that he carries with him forever. The story was written by acclaimed comic writer, Ian Flynn who has written for both the Archie and IDW runs of the Sonic comics and even a few of the recent Sonic games. The CGI cutscenes are also well-animated but feel they could’ve done a little more to compliment Ian’s writing. Those unfamiliar with Shadow’s tragic past may not feel as attached. Diehard Shadow fans will feel their hearts wrenching as they see Shadow relive his past and even meet familiar faces that might make the Ultimate Life Form smile for once.

There are even animated shorts with three episodes available for free on the official Sonic the Hedgehog YouTube channel titled, Sonic X Shadow Generations: Dark Beginnings, written by Ian Flynn. These shorts are beautifully animated and are of cinema quality thanks to Studio Giggex and SIMAGE animation. It’ll help get newcomers acquainted and fans emotional and eager to play as their favourite anti-hero, bring chaos to all who oppose him and fulfil that promise he made to Maria.

There are a ton of collectibles to find such as official art, concept art, music, character bios, cutscenes, and pages of Gerald Robotik’s journal in Shadow’s game. Unfortunately, there is no zoom feature when looking at art which has a lot of nice details to see up close, but strangely there is a zoom feature in Gerald Robotik’s journal. Hopefully, this can be added in a future DLC patch because it would be nice not to lean into the TV screen.

Even more Shadow action is on its way with an additional level based on scenes from the upcoming film, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 due out in December. This version of Shadow is taken straight from the movie, using the same design, voiced by Keanu Reeves, and is written by once again, Ian Flynn. This DLC is set to be unleashed on December 12, a week before the highly anticipated film hits cinemas.

Sonic X Shadow Generations packs two epic games into one. Longtime fans will feel that nostalgia hit by reliving some of the best moments of Sonic and Shadow, with tons of replay value. Sonic Generations is just as good as in 2011, and Shadow Generations is the long-overdue game that Shadow fans have been screaming for. His tragic backstory is well known to fans, but never explored in as much depth as this game and hopefully, the upcoming film will go even deeper. Hopefully, it won’t be too long before we see the red and black quills in action again.

The Sonic franchise has been on a big momentum lately with a run of successful games, the highly anticipated upcoming film, the Sonic Symphony still touring the world and this game already selling over one million units. Only time will tell to see what’s next in store for the Sonic franchise, but its future has never looked brighter, and the possibilities are never-ending. Sonic X Shadow Generations is an absolute must-own for any Sonic or Shadow fan.

Written by: Sammy Hanson