Sonic the Hedgehog has been a cultural icon since his debut back in 1991. Over the years, numerous titles have been released, building an ever-growing library of hits that have made him a prominent figure in the gaming scene. Breaking records and expectations from day one, Sonic has expanded his influence to other forms of media, resulting in two blockbuster movies and a third one coming soon featuring the enigmatic Shadow.

Sonic’s unique gameplay has long combined breakneck speed with colorful levels, as he saves his woodland friends from the nefarious Dr. Robotnik/Eggman. Over the years, many of Sonic’s friends and rivals have been introduced, including Tails, Knuckles, and the newest rival, Shadow the Hedgehog. With so many Sonic games available, newcomers might find it challenging to know where to start.

Luckily, we now have Sonic X Shadow Generations, a remaster of the 2011 classic Sonic Generations that also adds a brand-new and electrifying standalone title for Shadow, in anticipation of the third Sonic the Hedgehog film coming out this holiday season. The game serves as the perfect entry point for new players, as it showcases how past games were presented and played, reintroduces the charming cast of characters, and offers a healthy dose of nostalgia for veteran players to reacquaint themselves with this legendary series.

Related – Read our Sonic X Shadow Generations Review

Sonic X Shadow Generations Past and Future

In Sonic X Shadow Generations, you get to experience the new thrill of playing as the Blue Blur himself, Sonic the Hedgehog, as the game features not one but two Sonics: Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic, each navigating their respective dimensions.

Classic Sonic brings back the beloved 2D platforming experience, familiar to long-time fans. This mode emphasizes speedy traversal while also requiring strategic slowing down to navigate tricky areas filled with water, lava, and spiky traps that can hinder Sonic’s top speed. This is a nostalgia-filled trip as you revisit classic levels with a modern visual flourish!

Modern Sonic, on the other hand, explores the 3D realm. This mode allows you to follow Sonic from an over-the-shoulder perspective as he navigates life-sized loops and trails that will challenge players with a new perspective. You can lock onto enemies and platforms, launch onto them, or use the Spin Dash to overcome various obstacles.

Each Sonic offers a wildly different gameplay experience, blending past and future to provide players with enough variety to keep things fresh. Players can freely switch between characters—Act 1 as Classic Sonic and Act 2 as Modern Sonic—to experience the different main levels or challenge levels in White Space, the interconnected temporal anomaly that collects each world.

One of the nostalgic levels you will revisit in Sonic X Shadow Generations is the iconic Green Hill Zone. Act 1, or Classic Sonic, will be familiar to veterans, with its classic greenery, blue skies, loops, and platforms. While you can run freely, be cautious of mechanical enemies that can cause you to drop your hard-earned rings! 

Act 2 reimagines the Green Hill Zone in 3D, offering a fresh perspective for long-time fans. Although it might seem intimidating at first, features like the lock-on command make it more manageable, allowing you to Spin Dash out of obstacles’ way and reach your goal in record time. Green Hill Zone is as iconic as Sonic himself, and seeing the beloved level given a visual uplift is certainly a treat!

Upon reaching the White Space area in Sonic X Shadow Generations, there’s still plenty to do. You can complete Challenge Levels to earn bragging rights and secure Boss Keys, which allow you to face some of Sonic’s most memorable enemies. These challenge levels not only provide a sense of accomplishment but an exhilarating feeling as you zip and dash through tough obstacles that will test your skill and patience.

Finishing levels reward players with skill points that can be used to purchase abilities from the Skill Shop, giving you the necessary boosts for the more challenging levels ahead. These skills greatly enhance gameplay, giving Sonic new abilities like a shield to protect him from enemies, landing on his feet after getting damaged, or even giving him an extra life to help with tough spots.

You’ll need all the help you can get in Sonic X Shadow Generations, and these skills are exactly what the doctor (not Robotnik!) ordered.

As with classic Sonic games, you can’t complete the game without collecting all the Chaos Emeralds. So, challenge those rivals and conquer the levels to prepare for a final showdown with a surprise boss, utilizing all the skills you’ve honed from both Sonic generations!

A Real Roller Coaster Ride With Rail Canyon!

While Sonic is usually the star of the show, 2024 is indeed the year of Shadow as he makes his way to the big screen in the upcoming highly anticipated movie, along with a DLC for Sonic X Shadow Generations set to feature the movie version starring Keanu Reeves as the voice of Shadow.

However, Shadow Generations aims to showcase that there’s much more to Shadow than his movie counterpart, proving why he lives up to the current hype and why he is deserving of a standalone adventure.

While Sonic has decades of content to draw from, Shadow is relatively new to the main stage, having debuted in the 2000s. Despite this, he has achieved cult status and is a popular character among fans due to his hardcore demeanor. Notably, Shadow possesses abilities that Sonic does not, making this adventure far more unique and exciting than usual.

In Shadow Generations, Shadow tackles unique levels like Rail Canyon, which feels like a real roller coaster ride! With his breakneck speed and unique abilities, players can enjoy navigating these stages as Shadow. Numerous roadblocks and traps can slow your progress, but Chaos Control allows you to freeze time and complete the level more easily as you weave past obstacles and dangers with ease.

Act One of Rail Canyon is fully in 3D, offering a different experience from what you might have played in Sonic Generations. In true Sonic X Shadow Generations fashion, Act Two simulates how Rail Canyon would play as a 2D game, even though Shadow was not originally part of this format, offering pure fan service for players who have high expectations of Shadows’ adventure.

This mode retains Shadow’s skills, including locking onto enemies and bumpers for quick spins. Chaos Control is also available, especially useful when pursued by a menacing armored train, allowing you to avoid restarting the zone and losing your hard-earned rings and score. Indeed, Shadow has the power!

The beauty of these short levels is the opportunity to replay them for better times and to access harder-to-reach areas. Knowing where all the rings are and improving your score can also help you collect extra collectibles for the White Space. You can even brag to your friends who also play Sonic X Shadow Generations, adding a dose of friendly competition, just like Shadow, who won’t let his number one rival, Sonic, stay ahead for long!

Best Way To Get Into The Sonic World

Sonic X Shadow Generations offers a wealth of activities, combining two titles into one package that’s well worth your time. This allows you to enjoy a remastered version of Sonic’s previous adventures alongside Shadow’s journey in the Sonic X Shadow Generations universe.

Sonic X Shadow Generations features numerous skills to discover, levels to conquer, and surprises to uncover as you traverse through the iconic Sonic levels from over the years. Once you’ve experienced all the adventures you’ve missed, head to the Collection Room for some juicy extras! Here, you can rewatch movies of previous adventures, and browse through various art and music featuring these iconic characters.

For returning fans, Sonic X Shadow Generations is the perfect starting point, given the extensive library of Sonic games, including standalone titles and remasters, at their immediate control. Newcomers will also feel right at home, with access to all the backstory and excitement, making it easy to catch up on the Sonic universe. 

Sonic X Shadow Generations truly offers something for every Sonic fan in one fantastic package, and it is now available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and PC.