Sonic x Shadow Generations proves that sometimes the best ideas are hiding in plain sight. SEGA’s decision to combine their beloved blue blur with his edgier counterpart delivers exactly what fans have been craving — a high-octane adventure that perfectly balances nostalgia with innovation. While the original Generations was already a hit, this supercharged remix takes that winning formula and elevates it to new heights. The result? A genuinely thrilling package that feels fresh and familiar while offering some of the most refined platforming action we’ve seen in years.
Classic Speed, Modern Thrills
Overall, it’s the same game from 2010. There are no new levels or challenges and — besides hidden chao to find in each stage — there’s not much new content. Which is disappointing if you’ve already played Sonic Generations. There are a few noteworthy changes to cutscenes and dialogue but none stand out unless you played the original release. Most dialogue changes are quick little references and jabs at older Sonic games, such as mentioning the time stones from Sonic CD. While they are nice Easter eggs, they feel unnecessary. Anyone familiar with the original game, such as myself, might feel these changes were forced.
Ultimate Life Form, Ultimate Adventure
Onto the brand new content: Shadow Generations. We have a new campaign following the animated prologue Sega released on YouTube. In this story, Shadow arrives at the Space Colony Ark with a hunch that something is waiting for him. His suspicion is confirmed when Black Doom reveals himself.
Shadow’s levels vary from Sonic’s by several factors; notably length. It’s common to need up to seven minutes to clear a level without dying. I like this. As much as I love Sonic games, one small gripe I’ve had especially with the 3D era is that most levels are meant to be cleared in an average of two minutes. Shadow Generations delivers meaty challenges in both 2D and 3D acts. There’s a surprising amount of content even if the quantity is smaller than Sonic Generations. The quality delivers.
New Doom Abilities offer unique ways to scale through terrain. The doom wings and doom surf ability allow you to conquer the sea and skies. Chaos Control allows time manipulation. Combined, these make for some of the most engaging combinations of mechanics. Is the pathway crumbling? Freeze time. Is there an alternative speedway up high? Spread your wings!
The hub world for Shadow Generations contrasts Sonic’s in that it’s 3D instead of 2D. The hub environment is a great no-risk practice area for trying new abilities while providing extra challenges. Like in Sonic Generations, each level is ripped out of older games. While all of them are expertly designed and fun to play, some level choices are odd.
Racing Through Memory Lane
Space Colony Ark and Radical Highway are iconic and expected. They serve as the first and final stage of Shadow Generations and set the mood for the whole story. Radical Highway especially captivates with its distorted perspective. The whole game has enough think-fast moments to keep players on their toes, without feeling like cheap sucker punches.
Rail Canyon from Sonic Heroes was not my favorite stage in the original game. But it’s one of the stages in Shadow Generations. This new version is improved but is still not on par with others. The original stage was known for rail-grinding, annoying balancing issues, and near-guaranteed death. The Shadow Generations version alleviates this with tighter controls and extra platforms, but it’s still a headache. I think Grand Metropolis or Frog Forest would have been a better pick.
Kingdom Valley, from the infamous Sonic 06, got a much-needed facelift. In the original game, Kingdom Valley was a highlight because it was noticeably less glitchy than other levels. It also had an enriching aesthetic and one of the best themes of any Sonic game. Playing a fully realized, perfectly crafted version of this level was a treat. Shadow Generations did this stage the justice it deserved.
The two remaining stages are where it gets a little weird. Sonic Forces had a small DLC level for Shadow, but other than that, he wasn’t relevant to the game. What’s more, Sonic Generations is about the past and present merging in a time-stasis limbo. Sonic Forces occurred after Sonic Generations, so why would Shadow relive memories that shouldn’t have happened yet. Chaos Island, from Sonic Frontiers, is even worse. Shadow wasn’t in this game. There’s no explanation for this other than it being a marketing tactic. With that said, both offer a great time. It’s a little easier to forgive the lack of story continuity when the stages are fun to play.
Oddly, they never revamped any stage from Shadow the Hedgehog (2005).
Final Battles 2: Chaos Boogaloo
Shadow Generations includes four boss fights. All but one are suitable. The Biolizard was a given. This new version fixes many camera issues from the original and offers a new twist for the 3rd phase of the fight. Overall though, it’s not too different. Polished and straightforward.
Metal Overlord from Sonic Heroes feels out of place in Shadow Generations. Metal Sonic has always been associated with Sonic for obvious reasons. Making him a one-off fight leaves an odd taste in your mouth. But considering Eggman is in Sonic Generations and there are, by default, no other bosses in Sonic Heroes, it gets a pass. The new spin on the fight makes use of new Chaos Abilities. Instead of taking place in the sky, Metal Overlord is fought on the ocean.
The third boss is Mephiles, from Sonic 06. I don’t remember the original fight because I only played this game once. In Shadow Generations, the fight is similar to the Biolizard in the sense that it’s straightforward and not entirely challenging. It’s the most forgettable of the bosses, but it’s not terrible or boring. Just plain.
Finally, in the end, we fight none other than Black Doom in his ultimate Devil Doom form. The fight is done in two phases. All of Shadow’s new abilities are needed to get through the fight. It makes for a grand scaled climax as “All Hail Shadow” plays throughout and segways into a tearful farewell to Maria and Gerald Robotnik.
Overall? A Legacy Worth Celebrating!
This is the right way to do a rerelease. When Sonic x Shadow Generations was announced, I thought Shadow Generation would only be one or two levels. A full campaign that nearly doubled the size of the original game is the perfect reason to buy it. It’s a great game for anyone looking to experience a sample of the entire franchise in one package. However, the narrative of both campaigns feels shallow, repetitive, and a bit dry. You don’t really play Generations for its story.
With that said, all in all, it’s still fun. A total knockout and a worthy entry to the series. The 2020s have been a delightful decade for the Sonic franchise (so far). Sonic x Shadow Generations continues Sega’s hot streak and it really feels like Sonic is generating a full renaissance of quality media. Sonic x Shadow Generations is available now on all modern consoles and PC.
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Up next, we’re counting down the days until the theatrical release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, in theaters this December. To keep track, we use a plethora of anime calendars, including Jujutsu Kaisen, Studio Ghibli, and Spy x Family! Available on JBOX!
