Sonic X Shadow Generations

I love {Sonic}, and over the past few years I've reviewed pretty much everything {Sonic} related here on Gamereactor. But one of the best {Sonic} games released in the last decade, {Sonic Generations}, I haven't actually had the pleasure of playing - until now. With access to {Sonic X Shadow Generations}, a collection of the best {Sonic} has to offer, that has changed. So let's take a look at this tribute to {Sonic}'s greatest hits that I've had the pleasure of playing on PlayStation 5.

Basically, there are two games in {Sonic X Shadow Generations}. The first is the familiar {Sonic Generations}, a huge package in its own right, but you also get an entire campaign with {Shadow the Hedgehog}, which offers a significantly different experience. Although {Shadow}'s campaign is different, it has the same DNA as {Sonic}, making it all a unified package. However, let's start with {Sonic Generations}.

{Sonic Generations} combines some of the best levels from the entire history of the {Sonic} universe, both in 2D format as classic {Sonic} and in 3D format as the more modern version of the character's many escapades that we got to know in the Dreamcast era. Here we get some of the most iconic levels, and as in almost all {Sonic} games, we start with the legendary {Green Hill Zone}. I bet we can all hum the music from that track if we put our minds to it, and it's a testament to its staying power that it still feels great to move through. In the game, both the 2D and 3D versions of {Sonic} are thrown back in time by an unknown black ghostly figure, forcing both to replay the most iconic levels. Along the way, you'll also be joined by classic {Sonic} characters like {Tails} and {Knuckles}. After completing each level as both 2D and 3D {Sonic}, you can complete challenges built into the levels to earn keys to unlock a boss fight against Dr Robotnik. Once he is defeated, you unlock three brand new levels. This gives the game a huge amount of content, and with {Shadow}'s campaign included, you can easily reach 15-20 hours of playtime. That's not a small amount for a platformer, I'm just saying.

In addition, there are plenty of little mini-games to get stuck into, which just adds to the entertainment. I was personally captivated by the pinball game where, in true {Sonic Spinball} style, you have to guide {Sonic} around a giant pinball machine with multiple levels and lots of activities. It's pure nostalgia for dedicated fans. The story in {Sonic Generations} may not be Shakespeare, but it ties the levels together well and delivers some entertaining little moments that can make you smile. Unlike {Frontiers}, there is clearly no attempt to create a narrative connective tissue here, the story is just there.

{Shadow}'s campaign is very different from {Sonic}'s. If I had to describe {Shadow}, I would call him a kind of "emo Sonic", or if nothing else a rather caricatured "shadow side", which the name also gives away on its own. He is black and red, and is both mysterious and moody. His story is darker and the trajectories are chaotic. {Shadow} was created in a lab by Dr Robotnik's father, which means he has some abilities {Sonic} doesn't have. For example, he can throw lightning bolts, become invulnerable at the press of the R2 button and even stop time. However, this can get a bit overwhelming as the game runs at such a high speed that you often have to react faster than your reflexes allow. For me, juggling all of {Shadow}'s abilities without time to master them became too much. It's not because it's challenging, not at all, it's more just that the game doesn't really place these abilities in a coherent context.

That said, {Shadow}'s levels are still fun to play, especially because they switch between 2D and 3D formats, which keeps the experience fresh.

The biggest gripe I have with {Sonic X Shadow Generations}, however, is the controls. Unlike {Sonic Mania}, where the controls felt perfect and precise, here it feels a little imprecise, as if {Frontiers} has made some unwelcome inroads here. It often feels like the jump height isn't fully utilised, which may be due to the camera zooming in and out. This means that you often have to adjust {Sonic} or {Shadow} after they've jumped to get them to land accurately. It's a shame, because {Sonic} games depend on precise control, and unfortunately that's not always the case here. I did get used to it after a while, but it was never quite perfect. I never really felt that part of the game clicked for me unfortunately.

{Sonic X Shadow Generations} brings together the best of {Sonic}'s past, and that includes the music. You get everything from classic chiptunes from the {Sega Mega Drive} era to modern games with songs on the soundtrack. Personally, I prefer the chiptune music as the nostalgic tones really hit the spot for an old {Sonic} veteran like me. The graphics are also fluid, running at 60 frames-per-second for the most part. However, you may experience a few drops in frame-rate when there's a lot happening on screen, but thankfully this only happens when you're not in control of {Sonic} or {Shadow}. The levels are varied and inventive and showcase {Team Sonic} at their best. It's a shame that the quality is so inconsistent in {Sonic} games in general, as this imaginative and inspired game design should be common to all modern {Sonic} games, but unfortunately there are many dips between {Sonic}'s greatest successes. You kind of forget that when you play {Sonic X Shadow Generations}.

It's worth mentioning that while {Sonic X Shadow Generations} doesn't bring anything radically new to the {Sonic} series, it does what it does best - taking us on a nostalgic journey through {Sonic}'s most iconic moments - in a highly competent way. The small technical issues and control glitches drag it down a little, but can't change the fact that it's a solid and entertaining tribute to our favourite hedgehog. All in all, {Sonic X Shadow Generations} is a great package that features some of the best levels in {Sonic}'s history, and {Shadow}'s campaign serves as a dark but exciting contrast to {Sonic}'s colourful adventures. If you want to experience {Sonic} at his best, this collection is a must-play. So if you haven't tried {Sonic Generations} before, here's your chance to play {Sonic}'s greatest hits, on modern hardware, in a package that offers hours of entertainment.