SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,875 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

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,875 reviews
story395 positive mentions
stability42 negative mentions
  • story1,068 mentions

    The story in "Shadow Generations" has been widely praised for its emotional depth and character development, particularly for Shadow, as it explores his past and relationships with key figures like Maria and Gerald. Many reviewers noted that the writing, led by Ian Flynn, significantly improves upon the original "Sonic Generations," providing a more coherent and engaging narrative, though some felt the overall length of the story was too short. While the Sonic portion remains largely unchanged, the addition of Shadow's story has been described as a heartfelt and compelling experience that resonates well with long-time fans of the franchise.

    • “The story has heart, and towards the end will have you feeling very emotional.”
    • “Shadow generations is peak sonic gameplay, almost peak sonic story.”
    • “The story is a love letter to all the kids who grew up loving shadow, it's a love letter to the franchise, to the story, it's just amazing to see such a polished game, it's mesmerizing!”
    • “The story feels so rushed and it seems like it's missing so many cutscenes and moments.”
    • “The story is filled with unnecessary changes and they also removed a lot of the charm and character of Amy Rose.”
    • “The story is a love letter for all Sonic fans who resonated with the era between SA2 and 06 with some insanely hype boss fights and some of the best designed levels in the entire boost formula of games.”
  • gameplay645 mentions

    The gameplay in "Shadow Generations" has been widely praised for its blend of classic and modern mechanics, offering a fast-paced and engaging experience that incorporates new abilities like chaos control and doom powers. Players appreciate the level design, which features multiple paths and replayability, while the controls are noted for being smooth and responsive. However, some criticisms include inconsistencies in physics and occasional bugs, particularly in the original "Sonic Generations" portion, which some feel detracts from the overall experience.

    • “The gameplay is great and taps into the Sonic Adventure 2 style with multiple routes and different pathways to complete the level.”
    • “Shadow's gameplay is fantastic with the introduction of chaos control and the doom powers, with every level having multiple paths for you to take, offering great replayability.”
    • “The gameplay is phenomenally fast, rewarding, badass, sleek, innovative, and for once in a Sonic game, the camera is so good I can see the perfect route even on my first try, making for super satisfying levels!”
    • “On top of genuine design issues, the game is buggy as hell, and so many mechanics come off as inconsistent.”
    • “Now for the negatives that would be the physics. It's frustrating to say that Sonic Team has taken steps back from Frontiers. There are no more physics sliders in the options menu, and the physics in the open zone are still different from the levels. It's frustrating to have the physics changed constantly because it leads to inconsistency.”
    • “I only don't recommend it because the controls feel clunky when compared to some of the clunkiest games in the series. The gameplay boils down to 'homing attack at the thing while mashing RT to go fast' and 'forced to do slow platforming with weird, floaty controls.'”
  • music338 mentions

    The music in "Shadow Generations" has received mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack as a highlight, featuring remixes of classic tracks that resonate well with fans. While some players find the music to be energetic and fitting for the gameplay, others criticize it for being uninspired or lacking the memorability of previous titles. Additionally, the handling of the soundtrack in the deluxe edition has drawn criticism for not including the full range of new tracks and for its cumbersome access method.

    • “What really wins me over though is the superb soundtrack and availability of tracks across the series, including Frontiers' banger OST.”
    • “The music is pure bliss, and if you don't know much about Shadow as a character, don't you worry.”
    • “The soundtrack is a literal banger which leads me to replay levels I've already 100% completed for no other reason than to enjoy the exhilaration.”
    • “The music is uninspired and lackluster.”
    • “In my honest opinion, Sega should really get some experienced talent in the field of music they're conceptualizing for a soundtrack, and I don't mean a metal guitarist YouTuber.”
    • “The fact they are saying it's the game's soundtrack with next to nothing from the game in it, while also making it impossible to play the music on anything other than the software on your computer is downright offensive, false advertising, and blatantly telling the customer 'you may have paid for this, but do not expect to own it.'”
  • graphics282 mentions

    The graphics in "Shadow Generations" have received widespread praise for their stunning visuals, smooth animations, and vibrant environments, showcasing a significant leap in quality compared to previous titles. While "Sonic Generations" features only minor graphical updates and retains much of its original aesthetic, it still benefits from enhanced resolution and some quality-of-life improvements. Overall, players appreciate the artistic direction and attention to detail in both campaigns, with "Shadow Generations" standing out as a visually impressive addition to the franchise.

    • “The graphics are stunning, with vibrant worlds that pay homage to classic levels while introducing fresh, exciting twists.”
    • “The visuals are both mind-bending and breathtaking.”
    • “The graphics, gameplay, soundtrack, animation, voice acting, cinematography, and level design is the best this franchise has to offer!”
    • “By the way, if you were hoping for a next-gen upgrade of the visuals for 9th gen, don't expect it.”
    • “It seems to still have the same 7th gen visuals it did more or less.”
    • “The graphics downgrade from Sonic Generations is still hilarious.”
  • emotional99 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Shadow Generations" has been widely praised, with many players noting its heartfelt narrative that deeply explores Shadow's character and traumatic past. The story is described as touching and impactful, often eliciting strong emotional responses, including tears, particularly during key moments involving Shadow's relationships with Maria and Gerald. Overall, the game successfully combines engaging gameplay with a poignant storyline, making it a standout experience for both longtime fans and newcomers.

    • “The story has heart, and towards the end will have you feeling very emotional.”
    • “There are plenty of emotional moments that will easily tug at the heartstrings of long-time Shadow fans, and newcomers to the series won’t find it difficult to sympathize with him, either.”
    • “The story in this game is amazing, very emotional, and very cinematic!”
  • optimization91 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players praising its smooth performance and stability at 60fps, particularly in the Shadow portion, while others report issues like stuttering and long loading times, especially in the Sonic segments. Overall, many users appreciate the improvements over previous versions, noting that the game runs well even on lower-end hardware, though some still experience performance hiccups that detract from the experience.

    • “Performance was consistently stable at 60fps with near instant loading times.”
    • “This game is beautifully optimized, every complaint I had about the previous version on Steam has been addressed and fixed here.”
    • “The game does feel way smoother and runs nicer compared to the original PC port on more mid-to-low tier hardware thanks to some modern performance improvements.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability71 mentions

    The game offers exceptional replayability, with well-designed levels featuring multiple paths, collectibles, and challenges that encourage players to revisit stages. Players appreciate the variety in gameplay mechanics, such as chaos powers and time attack modes, which enhance the overall experience. Despite some critiques regarding the game's length, the abundance of content and engaging level design make it a worthwhile investment for fans seeking replay value.

    • “For every flaw the game has, it's outweighed by the still gorgeous presentation, excellent level design, exciting set pieces, and near endless replayability and side content to keep you occupied.”
    • “The shadow campaign is pretty short but the levels have a lot of potential for replayability because there are so many alternate paths and shortcuts in them you will miss.”
    • “The levels are chock full of branching paths and collectibles to add some good replay value as well.”
    • “Imo a total ripoff with no replayability except for leaderboard competition.”
    • “My only gripe is the replay value isn't high.”
    • “It takes away a lot of replayability that the original had.”
  • stability48 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly in the Sonic Generations portion. While some users experienced smooth performance and minimal issues, others encountered game-breaking problems, such as freezing, soft-locks, and inconsistent mechanics. Overall, the remaster appears to have introduced new glitches while failing to adequately address those present in the original game, leading to a generally unstable experience.

    • “Runs great as well and good to see a Sonic game get native 120 fps support.”
    • “No issues with it so far, runs great and is a blast to play through.”
    • “The gameplay is surprisingly bug-free compared to Sonic Generations.”
    • “On top of genuine design issues, the game is buggy as hell, and so many mechanics come off as inconsistent.”
    • “This game is a buggy mess; I got softlocked in the 1st stage of the 2nd act, and every time I reach a certain rail, my character just flies off instead of turning with it.”
    • “I really wanted to like this game, 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.”
  • humor23 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding the removal of slapstick elements and self-referential jokes disappointing, while others appreciate the darker, more serious undertones of characters like Shadow. There are moments of unintentional hilarity, particularly in dialogue mismatches and character interactions, which some players find amusing. Overall, the humor seems to reflect a shift in tone, with nostalgia for past comedic elements clashing with the game's new direction.

    • “The shadow section is very funny and the new powers make him feel way more entertaining than Sonic in this game.”
    • “Fast funny hedgehog go fast and is funny.”
    • “The mephiles fight is almost funny; at the end of the fight, Mephiles says, 'I... want to exist!' and Shadow replies with 'There is no future for you,' and I just found Sega saying there will be no future for 06 funny.”
  • grinding12 mentions

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game is often perceived as tedious and time-consuming, with players expressing frustration over the lengthy hub world and the difficulty of navigating it. While some enjoy the challenge of post-game content and replayability, many find the process of collecting items and completing levels to be overly drawn out and lacking in enjoyment. Overall, the grinding mechanics detract from the experience, making it feel more like a chore than a rewarding aspect of gameplay.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “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.”
    • “Modern rail grinding sucks, and just becomes side-stepping sequences.”
  • character development9 mentions

    Character development in "Shadow Generations" is highlighted as a significant improvement over previous titles, particularly "Sonic Frontiers." The game offers substantial growth for Shadow, making him the best-written character in the series since "Sonic Adventure 2," while also enhancing the overall narrative and depth of other beloved characters. Players appreciate the combination of nostalgia and meaningful storytelling, which elevates the character arcs and enriches the gaming experience.

    • “The character development is top-notch, bringing Shadow and other beloved Sonic characters to life like never before.”
    • “The story is simple, yet it still manages to say something new with its characters and character development.”
    • “Shadow Generations combines the nostalgia trip of the original Sonic Generations with an actual great story and character development.”
    • “Emo goes through a significant amount of character development.”
    • “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, cinematic, voice actors, and lines spoken that just seem unwarranted; no idea what motivated it.”
  • monetization5 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism, with some players feeling that it resembles a cash grab rather than a substantial new release, suggesting it could have been offered as a DLC or upgrade to the original game. Additionally, there are concerns that the game's promotional materials showcased much of the content, leading to a sense of disappointment regarding its length and depth. Overall, while the game has its merits, the monetization strategy has left some players feeling underwhelmed.

    • “I liked Sonic Generations when it came out and still do, but 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.”
    • “My only big complaint is that Shadow Generations felt a little too short, especially since they showed off most of the big content and reveals in trailers and advertisements.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is highly praised, with users noting that it effectively captures the essence of the story and enhances the experience through exceptional audio design. The remixed music is particularly highlighted, creating an immersive environment that keeps players engaged and invested throughout their gameplay.

    • “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, which always feature top-tier music. Every time I played a challenge or new level, I felt so invested in the music, and my jaw continuously dropped at every song I heard.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

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Play time

5hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
5-13hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 18 analyzed playthroughs

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