Sonic X Shadow Generations Review — The Comeback Continues?

Before many of the much-improved Sonic the Hedgehog games in more recent years, the incredibly underappreciated Sonic Generations (2011) was one of the best Sonic games in a long time. Cleverly utilising a multi-verse premise, the game managed to capture the speed and frenetic nature of 2D Sonic games of old, while still bringing in a lot of new-age features that blended excellently.

With the popularity of Shadow the Hedgehog (due to the live-action movies and TV show), he is now getting his own spin on that formula, but is an adventure worth taking?

First and foremost, what exactly is Sonic X Shadow Generations? It’s essentially a remaster of the original, but also, kind of, a new game too. You get an enhanced and upscaled version of the 2011 original, but with a whole new segment of the game dedicated to missions where you play as Shadow the Hedgehog. These portions of the game have been built from scratch and account for about 5 new hours in the already 5-or-so hour campaign, so you’re essentially getting another whole game – think of it as the Director’s Cut of a superb Sonic game.

There’s no question as to whether the original Sonic Generations experience is great, because, well, it is. However, it’s even faster, slicker, and more gorgeous than before, but the real question is how the Shadow levels play.

The good news is that they’re easily the best parts of the game, with stellar level design, amazing boss battles, and interesting gameplay twists thanks to ongoing power-ups and abilities you get during each act. The series’ trademark speed and energy is cranked up to 100, and the attitude and action-infused elements that Shadow brings (roundhouse kicking bosses and what not), make the experience feel fresh and give it a unique identity to the other half of the game.

Jumping from the excellent 2.5D sections to full 3D environments and back is as captivating as ever, and always makes you feel like you’re not sure what’s to come in each level. Add in the interesting and gameplay-switching abilities you get after defeating each boss, and the experience is actually more akin to a brand-new game altogether, rather than a familiar Sonic set-up.

On top of the really fun moment-to-moment gameplay, you’re also treated to another iconic soundtrack that fully compliments the vivid visuals, with the uplifting electronic score highlighting every level and encounter in the game.

Sonic X Shadow Generations may immediately seem like another run-of-the-mill remaster, but thanks to the expanded game, massive amounts of effort put into Shadow’s campaign, a stellar soundtrack, and a reasonable price, this is a must-play for any Sonic fan, especially if you never played the original.

Sonic X Shadow Generations is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Switch and PC.