SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 8,297 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS Game Cover
Sonic X Shadow Generations takes an already excellent game and spring jumps it to new heights with a creative Shadow campaign and an appreciable graphical upgrade.
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"SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS is a game where players can experience the return of Shadow the Hedgehog, playable in Classic and Modern styles. The Digital Deluxe Edition offers early access, additional music tracks, iconic skins, art, a level, and a Shadow Skin. An additional character skin and level for Shadow will be released in Holiday 2024." NO RELEASE DATE, DEVELOPER, OR PUBLISHER WAS MENTIONED.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 8,297 reviews
story684 positive mentions
stability74 negative mentions
  • story1,984 mentions

    The story in "Sonic x Shadow Generations" has received widespread acclaim for its emotional depth and character development, particularly in Shadow's narrative, which explores his past and relationships with characters like Maria and Gerald. While Sonic's story remains largely unchanged from the original "Sonic Generations," the rewritten dialogue aims to enhance coherence and character consistency, though opinions on these changes vary. Overall, Shadow's story is praised for its engaging plot and gameplay, making it a standout feature of the game, despite some critiques regarding its brevity and the necessity of completing side missions to progress.

    • “In Shadow Generations, the game is less of a revisit to his past, but rather an in-depth interweaving of his experiences that ties many separate games together, develops Shadow's character and purpose, gives extremely satisfying closure to some of his more tragic experiences, and brings his whole narrative together into a single plot that finally creates cohesion and makes him more than just a brooding rival with memory loss.”
    • “The story is much better, focusing on Shadow’s past, and it had some lovely and genuinely emotional moments. The callbacks didn't feel forced, and they made a new interesting story with the returning characters and themes.”
    • “The story is finally not stupid. It is a fantastic return to form and progression for Shadow's character, and it had me tearing up in the end.”
    • “Shadow should have gotten a longer story.”
    • “The story is basic but gets the job done.”
    • “The story, while short, gives shadow an emotional core he has needed for a long time.”
  • gameplay1,286 mentions

    The gameplay in "Sonic x Shadow Generations" has received widespread acclaim for its blend of classic and modern mechanics, particularly highlighting Shadow's unique abilities like chaos control and doom powers, which add depth and variety to the experience. Players appreciate the fluid controls, engaging level design, and the seamless integration of 3D and 2D gameplay styles, making it one of the best iterations of the boost formula to date. While Sonic's portion remains largely unchanged from the original "Sonic Generations," Shadow's gameplay is seen as a significant improvement, offering a fresh and exciting take on the franchise.

    • “The gameplay is absurdly fun.”
    • “Shadow's gameplay is genuinely the best boost gameplay has ever felt.”
    • “The gameplay in both Sonic and Shadow campaigns is well varied with lots of fun stage gimmicks and pure adrenaline fun.”
    • “The gameplay is fine, but there's a lack of an interesting story and the hub areas make the game feel less like a game and more like a collection of levels.”
    • “The gameplay sometimes feels clunky, and it looks a little bit outdated, but still overall an enjoyable experience.”
    • “The gameplay takes a very creative turn, letting you use shadow's chaos powers in unique ways to get around obstacles.”
  • music726 mentions

    The music in "Sonic Generations" and its Shadow expansion has received widespread acclaim, with many praising the energetic remixes of classic tracks and the overall quality of the soundtrack. While some players noted that certain tracks felt less memorable compared to the original game, the ability to customize background music and the inclusion of nostalgic themes from past titles were highlighted as significant positives. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay experience and resonating well with fans of the franchise.

    • “The soundtrack is amazing, though, with great remixes from the original songs.”
    • “The music is great, and the variety and designs of the levels introduce something unique and exciting every minute.”
    • “The music is phenomenal, and the soundtrack is yet again phenomenal, and the levels are designed pretty well.”
    • “Unfortunately, the music is one of the biggest letdowns—it’s all pretty forgettable.”
    • “I’m not sure how we went from 'I am... all of me' to some of the songs we have here, but it’s a massive downgrade.”
    • “The soundtrack for Shadow Generations is just so forgettable, the level design can feel a little empty and Mario Maker-ish sometimes, and I feel like the replay value is nowhere near as high as the original Generations.”
  • graphics505 mentions

    The graphics in "Sonic x Shadow Generations" have received widespread acclaim, particularly for the "Shadow Generations" segment, which showcases stunning visuals, improved animations, and vibrant environments that elevate the overall experience. While the remastered "Sonic Generations" portion features only minor graphical enhancements, it still maintains a solid aesthetic that holds up well. Overall, the game is praised for its impressive graphical fidelity, especially in the new content, making it one of the best-looking entries in the Sonic franchise to date.

    • “This remaster also has a noticeable graphical boost, with higher quality textures and UI being more optimized for higher resolutions.”
    • “The graphics are amazing, they improved Sonic Generations and the story to Shadow Generations is just peak fiction.”
    • “The visuals are stunning - everything is a spectacle, from the chaos control intermissions in some stages, to the simple act of chaining homing attacks.”
    • “There's little to no noticeable graphical improvements over the original, but I guess it wasn't necessary to do that since the original still looks good to this day.”
    • “You can't really call this a remaster, due to the graphics and everything being basically the same.”
    • “The sonic aspect is still the same game made years ago with upgraded graphics.”
  • emotional169 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Shadow Generations" has been widely praised, with many players reporting that the story evoked strong feelings, often leading to tears. Reviewers highlighted the heartfelt character moments, particularly involving Shadow's past and relationships, which resonated deeply with both long-time fans and newcomers. Despite some critiques regarding the plot's simplicity, the emotional depth and nostalgic callbacks were noted as significant strengths, making the experience both touching and memorable.

    • “The story had some lovely and genuinely emotional moments; the callbacks didn't feel forced, and they made a new interesting story with the returning characters and themes.”
    • “Shadow generations genuinely could've been a game of the year contender; it's peak Sonic with a heartbreaking and well-written story and superb level design.”
    • “The story is simple, yet interesting, and doesn't feel like a cringe Saturday morning cartoon for Gen Z, but rather an anime-style plot in the vein of Dragon Ball or My Hero Academia, with power-ups, screams, and a genuinely heartfelt and well-written story between the action.”
  • replayability145 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability, with many levels designed to encourage multiple playthroughs through branching paths, collectibles, and challenges. Players appreciate the engaging level design and the addition of new mechanics, such as chaos control and doom powers, which enhance the experience and provide opportunities for speedrunning and exploration. While some levels may feel less enjoyable, the overall consensus is that the replay value is significant, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the franchise.

    • “The game is very replayable and rewards you heavily for doing so, as the open-ended level design with a truly remarkable amount of branching paths encourages you to play the level multiple times, sometimes experiencing entirely different routes in doing so.”
    • “The levels are long and have so much quality and replayability to them; even the 2D levels are so well done.”
    • “Every level is absolutely phenomenal with plenty of alternate paths and replay value.”
    • “The soundtrack for Shadow Generations is just so forgettable, the level design can feel a little empty and Mario Maker-ish sometimes, and I feel like the replay value is nowhere near as high as the original Generations'.”
    • “Mainly due to the mid-level cutscenes, which while a cool novelty the first time around, they do hinder the replay value on all Act 1s, since they're basically just 30 seconds of staring at the screen.”
    • “My only gripe is the replay value isn't high.”
  • optimization142 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the remastered game has received mixed feedback. While many players praise the improved performance, smooth frame rates, and enhanced graphics, particularly in the Shadow portion, some report stuttering issues and performance drops, especially in the Sonic sections. Despite these inconsistencies, the remaster is generally considered a significant step up from previous titles, with many users noting it runs well even on mid-range hardware.

    • “This remaster also has a noticeable graphical boost, with higher quality textures and UI being more optimized for higher resolutions.”
    • “The best optimized gameplay and level design in the series.”
    • “Performance was consistently stable at 60fps with near instant loading times.”
    • “The game suffers from frequent stuttering and lag spikes, even on a high-end PC.”
    • “I appreciate the improved UI and in-game settings menu as well as custom keybinds, but the game has worse performance and worse loading times than the 2011 version; in fact, the performance seems to be worse than the shadow portion.”
    • “Unoptimized mess on PC.”
  • stability94 mentions

    The stability of the game is a mixed bag, with many players reporting a generally smooth experience, especially on the Steam Deck, where it runs at 60fps. However, numerous glitches and bugs persist, particularly in the Sonic Generations portion, leading to frustrating gameplay moments and occasional freezes. While some users found the game to be less buggy than previous Sonic titles, others noted that new issues have emerged, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “For the first time, I have played a 3D Sonic game with little to no glitches, fluid gameplay, great level design, and of course, an amazing soundtrack.”
    • “It runs great, it has very few bugs, and it still evokes the feeling that Generations did when I played it as a kid.”
    • “For the performance, Sonic Generations plays smooth like butter on Steam Deck, a solid 60 fps while it gets a bit lower for Shadow Generations in the open world, which is understandable. You can get a stable fps by lowering the settings a bit, but it runs great on the stages.”
    • “Very buggy, the camera bugs out on Speed Highway Act 1 and makes it almost impossible to complete.”
    • “This game is a buggy mess; I got softlocked in the first stage of the second act. Shadow just stops moving at the boosters, and after multiple tries, I finally get past it only for him to get stuck in the next level.”
    • “I really wanted to like this game, hence why I paid for the deluxe edition, but I just can't play it in this state. I shouldn't have to replay each stage multiple times because the game glitches out and won't let me progress.”
  • humor56 mentions

    The humor in "Sonic x Shadow Generations" is a mix of self-referential jokes and character-driven comedy, with players finding amusement in the contrast between Sonic's lightheartedness and Shadow's darker, more traumatic narrative. The game retains a playful tone, with humorous dialogue and situations, although some fans feel that recent rewrites have diminished the original charm and slapstick elements. Overall, the humor is appreciated for its nostalgic callbacks and the absurdity of character interactions, making it a fun experience for both new and returning players.

    • “Ben Schwartz as Sonic is still cool and funny to watch, while Shadow remains an edgy, traumatic character. Jim Carrey returning as Dr. Eggman and Gerald Robotnik is hilarious as he plays two main villains.”
    • “It's funny seeing stages from Forces and Frontiers converted into such masterpieces of levels.”
    • “The shadow section is very funny, and the new powers make him feel way more entertaining than Sonic in this game.”
  • grinding31 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and unnecessarily padded, particularly when it comes to collecting items and navigating the hub world. While some enjoy the rail grinding mechanics and the thrill of exploration, others feel that the overall experience can become monotonous and frustrating, especially when aiming for 100% completion. Despite these criticisms, there are moments of fun and challenge that some players appreciate, suggesting that the grinding can be enjoyable in moderation.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It's pure, tedious, unnecessary padding.”
    • “I found that it was really difficult to find my way around and everything felt really tedious.”
    • “While the post game is still as fun, and sometimes a little healthy challenge, once you stop playing the levels and start looking for the collectibles it becomes a bit tedious, then extremely tedious.”
  • character development17 mentions

    The character development in the game, particularly for Shadow, is highly praised, marking a significant improvement over previous titles in the series. Reviewers highlight a well-written story that respects Shadow's past while showcasing his growth, making him one of the best-developed characters in the Sonic franchise. The inclusion of nostalgic elements and the return of beloved characters further enrich the narrative, providing depth and emotional resonance.

    • “The story is also really well written in this, showing a lot of respect for Shadow's character that had been missing from the series for a long time, without shying away at all from acknowledging his character development from less than ideal games in the series, which is such a beautiful thing to see.”
    • “The best thing about Shadow Generations is that this is the first game since Sonic Adventure 2 that we have seen character development in the Sonic cast, and I'm talking about Shadow.”
    • “The character development is top-notch, bringing Shadow and other beloved Sonic characters to life like never before.”
    • “Bringing back old characters from SA2/SH (Adventure era) and SHTH/06 (Dark era) was also the greatest decision someone could ever make; proving there's always space for improvement on character design and development despite bosses not being entirely real or (probably) irrelevant to the franchise in general.”
    • “The only renovations this port received include an added drop dash for Classic Sonic, alterations to the control scheme, and inconsequential changes to character designs and cutscenes.”
    • “The major changes are the addition of Chao to collect, and then tweaks to character design, cinematics, voice actors, and lines spoken that just seem unwarranted; no idea what motivated it.”
  • monetization9 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn mixed reactions, with some players feeling it resembles a cash grab, particularly in how it heavily marketed the Shadow Generations content while offering little new beyond the original game. Critics argue that the game could have been a simple DLC or upgrade rather than a full-priced release, reflecting a trend of games designed to maximize profit through extensive advertising and microtransactions. Overall, while some appreciate the nostalgic elements, many feel the monetization strategy detracts from the overall experience.

    • “Sonic x Shadow Generations is a lovely game that stands out as a complete experience in an age full of microtransactions and games designed to soak up hundreds of hours of your life.”
    • “Boring cash grab copy-paste nonsense; Frontiers was way better. Avoid this game.”
    • “This feels like a cash grab when it could have been a DLC/upgrade to the original game.”
    • “The game's advertisement says that they remastered Generations to be ported to console.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Shadow Generations" is highly praised for its exceptional level design, storytelling, and animation, effectively re-telling the narrative of Shadow. The game's audio, featuring top-tier music and remixes, significantly enhances the immersive experience, leaving players deeply invested and impressed with each challenge and level.

    • “Sega out of complete nowhere eclipsed the entire franchise in terms of level design, storytelling, animation, atmosphere, and controls in Shadow Generations.”
    • “They got the atmosphere right and did a good job retelling the story of Shadow.”
    • “The audio is insane; the remixes and atmosphere are perfect, as usual for Sonic games to have the top-tier music of all time. Every time I played a challenge or new level, I felt so invested with the music, and my jaw continuously dropped at every song I heard.”
    • “Sega out of nowhere eclipsed the entire franchise in terms of level design, storytelling, animation, atmosphere, and controls in Shadow Generations.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

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Play time

6hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
4-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 28 analyzed playthroughs

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