In the hit-and-miss era of 3D Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Generations was seen as a success. The cynics would argue that was because it merged both the 3D and 2D versions of Sonic together (quite literally by portraying them as separate characters), and I’d be inclined to agree.
But it returns now in SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS, with a brand-new chapter focussing on Shadow the Hedgehog included. How does it hold up, 13 years after it first released? Well, I have some thoughts on that.
Sonic Generations was originally released to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the spinning blue hedgehog. It came up with the novel notion that the 2D version and the 3D version of Sonic the Hedgehog were in fact different characters, and used this to create a game that united them both together. It kept the traditional format of having a zone split into two acts, but this time Act 1 was primarily a 2D version of the level, and Act 2 was a more modern 3D environment.
Add to that that Sonic Generations remixed classic levels from the back catalogue and it really felt like a celebration of the series as a whole. And that hasn’t been lost one bit in this recent remaster.
In Sonic Generations, modern Sonic is celebrating his birthday when he is sucked into a vortex along with many of his friends. In this strange new area known as the White Space, modern Sonic meets classic Sonic and between them they realise what they must do. Especially when two Doctor Eggmans appear…
And of course, let’s not forget Shadow Generations, the entirely new bit to this remaster and the reason a lot of people are interested in this package. Shadow the Hedgehog’s popularity has only increased in the years since Sonic Generations. And with him due to appear in the film universe imminently, now is the perfect time to shine a spotlight on him again.
Shadow’s campaign retreads his origin story whilst explaining what he was doing during the mainline events of Sonic Generations. It plays more like the modern Sonic levels too, frustrations and all, though there is the odd level that is designed more like the ‘2D’ levels as well. Shadow will also unlock new abilities as he progresses that, unlike the main game, are required to progress the levels and do not feel as pointless.
Shadow Generations are remixed levels from previous games, including Sonic Frontiers. Shadow’s White Space is a lot more involved than the one found in the other half too. It is much more like a traditional platformer hub area with secrets to be found, and a ton of collectibles to unlock.
Both games haven’t lost their foibles however. Controlling modern Sonic and Shadow remains a pain in the backside, and you can literally feel the game working against you at times. To unlock a chest found in the hub area of Shadow Generations, you need the corresponding colour key found in the levels themselves. You can probably see them without much of an issue; getting them is another thing entirely. One early key I had found was just off to the left of some rotating cylinders that Shadow could run around. Only the main path was to the right, and I could feel the game fighting against me to not allow me to jump left. After a few minutes of fighting against the game I was only more determined to get it. Persevere I did, but I vowed to leave the remaining keys alone if they were going to be even half as frustrating as this one.
Even classic Sonic doesn’t feel as nimble as those earlier games. He has far fewer tricks up his sleeve than his modern counterparts, but sits somewhere in the middle. Not entirely frustrating, but not quite there alongside the original trilogy either.
And this boils down to some pretty poor level design. As exciting as it is to unlock a new area and see if you can recognise it from the back catalogue, these levels always fall short compared to how they were originally presented. The first time you play them that is.
Much like a favourite film, repeated viewings can see you appreciating different things or finding something new entirely. Both Sonic and Shadow Generations benefit from you sitting through a level a couple of times. The first time will be to simply finish the level. The second and subsequent plays will be to find a better and quicker line, but also to improve your own abilities. You are graded on your performance after each level, but only after several plays can you hope to attain the elusive S rank in later levels. Get that short-term muscle memory working and at times, these can feel more like rhythm action games rather than a precision platformer. Something that I have said about modern Sonic games before.
Something else I have also said is that modern Sonic’s – and now Shadow’s – homing attack is one of the worst abilities in videogames. It hasn’t worked properly for over 20 years, and unfortunately, SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS doesn’t fix it either. It remains clunky, untrustworthy and just downright bad.
There is some good in SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS, but you will need to dig for it. Once you replay a level two or three times, then you can begin to properly enjoy them and not get frustrated by the game trying its hardest to work against you. Modern Sonic, and now Shadow, still handle terribly, but this doesn’t look like it will ever improve, so suck it up. But even classic Sonic doesn’t feel as smooth as he has before, often feeling like he is running and jumping in treacle.
Stick with SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS long enough, and you may find enjoyment there. Somewhere, deep, deep down.
SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS: A Double Dose of Sonic Action – https://www.thexboxhub.com/sonic-x-shadow-generations-a-double-dose-of-sonic-action/
SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS is announced – https://www.thexboxhub.com/sonic-x-shadow-generations-is-announced/
Buy SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/sonic-x-shadow-generations/9MVLZDH2FH05
