Sonic the Hedgehog turns 33 this year, and Shadow the Hedgehog turns 23, and with that longevity, it’s clear that the players span generations. Which leads up to the fitting title, Sonic x Shadow Generations. A game that aims to bring in both old and new fans to the franchise, this game connects old and new in intriguing ways—particularly with Shadow.
At Summer Game Fest, we checked out four levels in Sonic x Shadow Generation—two levels with Sonic and two levels with Shadow. The gameplay flows from classic Sonic games to Shadow’s introduction in Sonic Adventures 2 (2001) and the modern gameplay we’ve become accustomed to now.
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The Sonic portion of the demo consisted—which Shadow creator Takashi Iizuka said is the perfect entry point for new players in our interview—of one level reminiscent of the 1990s Sonic with nostalgic 2D visuals and signature gameplay. Any older fans of the franchise would be very familiar with this fast-paced platforming, the core concept that Sonic was founded on. Hwoever, we don’t stay there the entire time. The second Sonic level was more of Sonic’s modern gameplay with a more-3D level hybrid design as the camera tended to switch between side-scrolling and third person view.
This second level is important because it is a blend between classic and modern in a way that encapsulates what Sonic x Shadow Generations wants to be. It keeps the past in mind but also moves that into the present in a way that works for those of us who grew up on the blue Hedgehog but doesn’t sacrifice the modern comforts of today’s platforming.
Like quite a few people, I like Sonic, so don’t get me wrong. But to be honest, I really was there to play as Shadow. An iconic character in his own right, Shadow has been a fan favorite since his introduction in Sonic Adventures 2, a game and introduction that captures my favorite era of the Sonic franchise. The two Shadow levels we played consisted of a boss fight and a fast-paced 3D platforming stage. The non-boss stage was by far my favorite, and playing it unlocked that nostalgia for Sonic Adventures 2, putting me immediately back into my favorite console: the Sega Dreamcast.
Whether it was using attacks to defeat enemies to cross areas or grinding on rails it had everything I had enjoyed in previous Sonic games. Truthfully, it captured what solidified my endearing memories of the franchise. Only now, the control scheme was updated with a more modern approach as players had a boost and showcased some abilities. That said, the boss fight was my least favorite stage as, like the older games, camera woes and just general controls make it quite challenging. Anyone who remembers these old boss fights understands both their challenges and flaws that came with them. But maybe that nostalgia factor will be key for some.
Truth is that Sonic x Shadows Generations will appeal to more than just those who played Sonic when the very first game came out and those who will pick it up for the first time at launch. It also incorporates the console generations and player generations in between. If you came into this franchise with Shadow, he’s there for you too with all the Sonic Adventures 2 nods.
Our Summer Game Fest demo was relatively short but did offer a good insight into what to expect from the full game. Sonic x Shadow Generations seems like it will have a variety of gameplay that should get fans both new and old excited.
Sonic x Shadow Generations releases October 22, 2024 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch.
