Sonic X Shadow Generations Hands-On Preview: The Year of Shadow

Sonic X Shadow Generations Hands-On Preview: The Year of Shadow

• Sonic X Shadow Generations remasters Sonic Generations while adding new content for Shadow fans, making 2024 the Year of Shadow.
• The game offers a bonafide remaster of Sonic Generations, featuring smooth gameplay at 60 FPS with collectible Chao for long-time fans.
• Shadow Generations introduces unique gameplay elements with combat-oriented stages, dramatic visuals, and surprises in the Biolizard boss fight.

When Sonic X Shadow Generations was first announced, there were more questions than answers. It was a remaster of the classic game, on one hand, but it had a lot of new content coming too, really making 2024 the Year of Shadow. Luckily, Summer Game Fest pulled back the curtain with a new trailer and brand new information, including Sonic X Shadow Generations' release date.

At Summer Game Fest, Game Rant was able to play a brief demo of Sonic x Shadow Generations. The demo featured two stages from Sonic Generations: Green Hill I and Green Hill II for classic and modern Sonic. It also featured two stages for Shadow Generations: Space Colony Ark Act 1 and the Biolizard boss fight. During the event, we also spoke with Takashi Lizuka, Sonic Creative Officer and Shadow the Hedgehog's creator, regarding the demo, the Year of Shadow, and more.

Sonic Generations

Generations, at its core, is about the origins and legacy of its characters (including Shadow's in his own campaign). Starting with Green Hill fits perfectly in with this, but anyone who has played the game before knows exactly what to expect here. Of course, this is a game made for newcomers to the franchise, as well as long-time fans. It remains welcoming for newcomers but adds extra depth for long-time fans. For example, the game is running at 60 FPS and noticeably so, making the game all the smoother while retaining everything that made it special. Courses also feature collectible Chao, which Lizuka-san described as something added to give long-time fans something new to accomplish. He was also very clear that it's not related to any sort of Chao Garden feature whatsoever.

Overall, the Sonic Generations portion of the game is a bonafide remaster, plain and simple. It ticks off all the right boxes, making it seem like a worthwhile pick-up on its own. That makes pairing Shadow Generations with it an even bigger win for fans because it was the highlight of the demo.

It's worth noting that Sonic x Shadow Generations is built with two different engines in the game. Sonic Team updated Sonic Generations but otherwise didn't want to use an old engine for Shadow Generations, yet they wanted the two campaigns to feel similar. The result is two engines working to achieve similar game feels, which Lizuka-san described as the game's biggest challenge.

Shadow Generations

It was very important, Lizuka-san explained, that the two halves of the game have a similar feel, yet offer different content and gameplay. Sonic Team didn't want to just make new stages, use Shadow's model, and make it as simple as "gotta go fast." And, based on our brief time with the demo, the team achieves that. The overall design feels cohesive but unique to each character.

Space Colony Ark Act 1 is, obviously, a stage set in space, and during it, we are chasing Doom. This adds a fun narrative to the stage and opens it to unique moments. Of course, fans are going fast, hitting bounces, and dodging or hitting enemies, but Shadow's campaign is much more combat-oriented. It frequently felt like there were more enemies for us to hit and use as jumping points in the game. Where Shadow's stage design truly differs, and shines, is in its implementation of Shadow's abilities and Doom Powers. Using Chaos Control to slow down time and create platforms for crossing deadly zones was a lot of fun, while whipping out things like the Doom Spear later added a lot to the Biolizard Boss Fight.

Visually, Shadow Generations felt smooth as butter and it used this to its advantage. Several times, Space Colony Ark would implement dramatic stage shifts, with the screen almost breaking apart in front of us with a slew of colors, Shadow falling into this new stage, and other really smooth, really gorgeous visuals. Anyone who has enjoyed Shadow the Hedgehog, or the franchise's stage design in general, is sure to be in for a treat here. It's also a strong statement for newcomers to the Year of Shadow.

Lizuka-san also made it clear that the game looked to offer nostalgic moments but also add new, surprising elements, with the Biolizard being a prime example of this. There is nostalgia to fighting this boss from Sonic Adventures 2, and its overall visual overhaul might be enough to wow long-time fans. But it wasn't just about giving them a nostalgic experience, but a surprising one. The Biolizard boss fight features new phases that'll have even the most diehard Sonic fans on their toes.

Based on our brief time with the demo, Shadow Generations alone would be worth the lower-than-average price tag of $49.99. What it offers for Shadow the Hedgehog's story, for his fans, and for those who have never known him is plenty enough for that. Pairing it with Sonic Generations is really Sonic Team going the extra mile for the fandom, and October will be a big moment for fans if the entire game is just like this demo.

Sonic X Shadow Generations

Franchise Sonic the HedgehogPlatform(s) Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Switch, PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox OneReleased October 25, 2024Developer(s) Sonic TeamPublisher(s) SegaGenre(s) PlatformerESRB E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence