Sonic x Shadow Generations (2024): The Review

Overview

Sonic x Shadow Generations really is the best of both worlds. You get to relive the high points of Sonic Generations while also diving into a brand-new campaign centered on Shadow the Hedgehog. On top of that, it’s a slick audiovisual upgrade, with sharper visuals and even more of the series’ signature, pulse-pounding soundtrack. Beyond polishing an already excellent game, it expands the story and layers in new mechanics for everyone’s favorite anti-hero, and honestly, that’s something the series could always use more of.

Score: 9 out of 10

The Positives ✅

Shadow’s additional campaign is easily the biggest win here. It dives straight into his connection with Black Doom and the dormant powers awakening inside White Space, framing him once again as the tragic anti-hero he was always meant to be. While the story isn’t massive, it’s packed with nostalgic callbacks that longtime fans will immediately recognize, and it reinforces Shadow’s role as more than just “edgy Sonic.” His gameplay, though, is where things really pop off. Shadow doesn’t just play like a reskin, he feels fundamentally different, armed with multiple Doom Powers that change how stages flow and how challenges are approached.

Chaos Control deserves special mention, because it’s not just fan service, it actually matters to the gameplay. That five-second slowdown window lets you optimize routes, shave time off tricky sections, and breeze through obstacles that would otherwise punish sloppy movement. It feels like a natural extension of Shadow’s identity, the kind of mechanic that makes you wonder why Sonic himself hasn’t evolved this much over the years. Combined with Shadow’s mobility and combat-focused abilities, his campaign feels layered, fast, and consistently engaging.

Visually, Sonic x Shadow Generations is pure eye candy. The remaster sharpens an already good-looking game, and Shadow’s stages in particular are bursting with color and clarity, even when everything is moving at warp speed. Iconic locations like Space Colony ARK, Radical Highway, Rail Canyon, and Sunset Heights are recreated with care, and despite the franchise’s trademark blur of speed, it’s never hard to read the environment. Everything pops without becoming visual noise, which is honestly impressive.

The soundtrack is another undeniable highlight. Sonic games have always punched above their weight musically, and this remaster is no exception. The remixed tracks in Shadow’s campaign absolutely slap, perfectly matching the darker tone and faster pacing of his gameplay. The ability to swap background music once you unlock tracks is a great touch, especially for completionists who want to fine-tune the vibe of every run.

Finally, the sheer value here is hard to ignore. For $49.99, you’re getting Sonic Generations, already one of the franchise’s strongest entries, plus a full Shadow-focused campaign loaded with collectibles, artwork, lore bits, and optional challenges. Completionists will be busy for a long while, and fans of either character are eating well.

The Negatives ⚠️

As good as Shadow’s story is conceptually, it still feels emotionally restrained. Given his history and the weight of figures like Black Doom looming over him, you’d expect more raw reactions, more visible cracks in the armor. Instead, Shadow remains a little too stoic for his own good, which makes some narrative moments feel muted. The story works, but it never fully lands emotionally the way it could have.

Another recurring issue is the control scheme inconsistency. Sonic, Classic Sonic, and Shadow all control differently, which makes sense on paper, but in practice it can throw you off, especially in a game built around speed and muscle memory. Veterans will adapt quickly, but newcomers might stumble a bit when switching characters, breaking the otherwise smooth flow of the experience.

Voice acting is another weak spot. While it’s not outright bad, it does fall flat more often than it should, particularly during longer dialogue scenes. This isn’t new for Sonic games, but it’s still noticeable, especially when the story is already pulling its emotional punches.

There’s also the unavoidable reality that this is a remaster of a 2011 game. While many rough edges have been smoothed out, not every old issue is gone. Some design quirks and legacy problems remain, which may disappoint players hoping for a more thorough overhaul.

Lastly, Shadow’s campaign, as strong as it is, ends just as it hits its stride. The pacing is solid, but the length leaves you wanting more, not in a “that was disappointing” way, but in a “SEGA, please make a full game already” kind of way.

The Experience 🎮

Playing Sonic x Shadow Generations felt like a reminder of just how fun this character can be when he’s given proper tools and room to breathe. From the first stage, it was clear that Shadow wasn’t just tagging along, he was doing his own thing, parallel to Sonic’s journey, and that separation actually made his story feel more focused. His abilities made traversal more engaging, and I constantly found myself experimenting with routes instead of just boosting forward.

Chaos Control quickly became my favorite mechanic. Using it to optimize runs, escape bad situations, or brute-force tricky sections never got old, and it genuinely made Shadow feel more powerful than Sonic. In fact, after spending time with Shadow’s kit, going back to Sonic felt almost… basic. Not bad, just less interesting.

Exploring the remade stages tied to Shadow’s past hit the nostalgia sweet spot without feeling lazy. Seeing familiar locations through Shadow’s lens made them feel fresh, and the added Doom Powers kept stages from feeling like simple retreads. Even mandatory side challenges stayed fun, which is rare enough to deserve credit.

Story-wise, I appreciated how Shadow’s campaign ran alongside Sonic’s rather than overshadowing it. Even if I wanted more emotion, the structure worked, and it reinforced the idea that Shadow has his own battles to fight, ones that don’t always need Sonic involved. As a mostly casual fan of Shadow, I walked away with a better appreciation for his complexity.

By the end, one thought kept looping in my head: we need a new Shadow the Hedgehog game. This remaster doesn’t just celebrate the past, it proves there’s still untapped potential here. For the price, Sonic x Shadow Generations feels like a steal, offering two excellent experiences, strong audiovisual presentation, and enough content to justify multiple playthroughs. If this is SEGA testing the waters, consider the message received loud and clear.