I love Sonic and have been reviewing pretty much everything Sonic-related here on Gamereactor for the past few years. But I haven’t yet had the pleasure of playing one of the best Sonic games of the last decade, Sonic Generations. That’s changed with access to Sonic X Shadow Generations, a collection of the best Sonic has to offer. So let’s take a look at this tribute to Sonic’s greatest hits that I had the pleasure of playing on the PlayStation 5.
Basically there are two games in one in this Sonic X Shadow Generations. The first is the well-known Sonic Generations, a great set in its own right, but you also get a full campaign with Shadow the Hedgehog, which offers a significantly different experience. Although Shadow’s campaign is different, it shares the same DNA as Sonic, making it a unified package. However, let’s start with Sonic Generations.
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Sonic Generations brings together some of the best levels in the entire history of the Sonic universe, both in 2D format like the classic Sonic, and in 3D format like the more modern version of the many escapades of the character we got to know in the Dreamcast era . Here we have some of the most iconic levels and as in almost all Sonic games we start with the legendary Green Hill Zone. I bet we can all hum the music to this track if we put our minds to it, and it’s a testament to its staying power that it’s still fun to navigate. In the game, both the 2D and 3D versions of Sonic are thrown back in time by an unknown black ghost figure, forcing both to replay the most famous levels. You’ll also be accompanied along the way by classic Sonic characters like Tails and Knuckles. After completing each level in both 2D and 3D Sonic, you can complete challenges built into the levels to earn keys that unlock a boss fight, Dr. Robotnik. Once defeated, you unlock three entirely new levels. This gives the game a huge amount of content and with the included Shadow campaign you can easily get 15 to 20 hours of playtime. For a platform game it’s not small.
There are also lots of little mini-games that make it even more fun. Personally, I was fascinated by the pinball game where you have to guide Sonic through a huge pinball machine with multiple levels and tons of activities in true Sonic Spinball style. It’s pure nostalgia for dedicated fans. Sonic Generations’ story may not be Shakespearean, but it ties the levels together well and offers some entertaining little moments that might make you smile. Unlike “Frontiers,” there’s clearly no attempt to create narrative connective tissue here, the story is just there.
Shadow’s campaign is very different from Sonic’s. If I had to describe Shadow, I would describe him as a kind of “Sonic emo”, or as a more cartoonish “dark side”, which is what the name suggests. It is black and red and at the same time mysterious and atmospheric. Their story is darker and their trajectories chaotic. Shadow was created in a laboratory by Dr. Created Robotnik’s father, meaning he has some abilities that Sonic doesn’t have. For example, you can shoot lightning bolts, become invulnerable by pressing the R2 button, and even stop time. However, this can be a bit overwhelming as the game runs at such a high speed that you often have to react faster than your reflexes allow. For me, juggling all of Sombra’s abilities without having time to master them became too much. This isn’t because it’s challenging at all, but rather because the game doesn’t really put these skills into a cohesive context.
That said, Shadow’s levels are still fun, especially because they switch between 2D and 3D formats, keeping the experience fresh.
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The biggest complaint I have with Sonic X Shadow Generations, however, is the controls. Unlike Sonic Mania, where the controls seemed perfect and precise, here they seem a bit imprecise, as if Frontiers had made some unwanted advances. It often feels like the jump height isn’t being fully utilized, which may be due to the camera zooming in and out. This means you’ll often have to adjust Sonic or Shadow after they jump so they land accurately. It’s a shame, because Sonic games rely on precise controls, and unfortunately that’s not always the case here. After a while I got used to it, but it was never quite perfect. Unfortunately, I never felt like this part of the game suited me.
Sonic X Shadow Generations brings together the best of Sonic’s past, and that includes the music. They have everything from classic “chiptunes” from the Sega Mega Drive era to modern games with songs in the soundtrack. Personally, I prefer chiptune music as the nostalgic tones are just right for an old Sonic veteran like me. The graphics are also smooth and mostly run at 60 frames per second. However, when there is a lot going on on the screen, you may experience a drop in frame rate. Luckily, this only happens when you’re not controlling Sonic or Shadow. The levels are varied and imaginative, showcasing the best of Team Sonic. It’s a shame that the quality of Sonic games in general is so inconsistent, as this imaginative and inspired game design should be common to all modern Sonic games, but unfortunately there are many downers among Sonic’s greatest hits. You kind of forget that when you play Sonic X Shadow Generations.
That’s worth noting, although Sonic’s minor technical and control issues drag the game out a bit, they can’t change the fact that it’s a solid and entertaining homage to our favorite hedgehog. All in all, Sonic If you want to experience Sonic at his best, this collection is a must. So if you’ve never tried Sonic Generations, this is your chance to play Sonic’s greatest hits on modern hardware in a collection that will provide hours of entertainment.