Sonic X Shadow Generations Review – Gamecritics.com (2024)

Living And Learning

HIGH Two incredible games in one package.

LOW I know the lyrics to every Crush 40 song featured in this game.

WTF Sega, please remake Sonic Heroes.

Sonic Generations was released in 2011 for the Xbox 360 and PS3 as a way to commemorate the 20th anniversary of The Blue Hedgehog. Serving as an interactive love letter to every era of Sonic, it combined the best elements of both the 2D and 3D titles, remixed gameplay elements and soundtracks, and even managed to deliver a solid narrative full of nostalgia that saw 3D Sonic teaming up with his 2D counterpart to save the world.

It was, without question, one of the greatest platformers ever made and easily climbed atop the ranks of my favorite Sonic games. It was also in desperate need of a re-release on modern consoles though Xbox owners lucked out with an enhanced backwards-compatible version, but thankfully, Sega has now fully rectified that situation with the release of Sonic X Shadow Generations.

Generations is a platformer that shifts between two gameplay styles. The first is 3D with an over-the-shoulder view of the action, while the other is a side-scrolling 2D affair. Players control two different variants of Sonic (modern and classic) with each level featuring two stages that feature each gameplay type.

Modern Sonic controls the way he does in the “boost” era of Sonic games, with a focus on runningin a straight line through linear levels, while attacking enemies and collecting different macguffins along the way. 2D Sonic controls as he did back in the Genesis era, with side-scrolling levels full of loops to run through, branching paths and collectibles to find. Levels are selected in a side-scrolling hub world, where players can also engage in minigames like pinball while looking for more secrets and easter eggs.

The big twist in Generations comes from the fact that every level is a remake of one taken from prior Sonic games. For example, in 3D mode the iconic Green Hill Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) is beautifully rendered with modern visuals and accompanied with a remixed version of the ever-popular theme song. The inverse is also applicable, with past 3D levels being converted to side-scrolling formats including the classic “City Escape” from Sonic Adventure 2, featuring the same setpieces as its 3D counterpart.

Each of the redesigned levels are a treat, both visually and mechanically. Zipping through 3D levels at supersonic speeds and getting hit with a cacophony of bright colors is truly special, while the 2D levels feel like wonderfully faithful remakes of Sega Genesis-era creations.

In fact, one of the standouts is Seaside Hill from Sonic Heroes. GameCritics readers will know I’ve not only spoken about Heroes at length before, but have listed it in my biography as one of my most formative games. The version featured in Generations is a lovely version of a level I’ve damn near committed to memory, and boasts an awesome remix of the original theme as well.

Speaking of music, like other great Sonic games, Generations is packed to the brim with an incredible track list. There are brand new arrangements of classic songs as well as remixes of the iconic and nostalgic Crush 40 tunes, like All Hail Shadow and Escape From the City. Included is an in-game music player, in which players can listen to songs not only featured in the game but a few select tracks from 2022’s Sonic Frontiers (which also has a damn fine soundtrack.)

New to this re-release is the inclusion of a separate game entitled Shadow Generations. Taking place parallel to the main story, players control anti-hero Shadow the Hedgehogin both 3D and 2D levels, similar to Generations. Featuring levels based on Sonic Adventure 2 and even the much-maligned Shadow the Hedgehog (2005), gameplay is faster and more aggressive thanks to the introduction of “Doom Powers.” Shadow can slow down time to attack enemies, shoot projectiles and even glide through levels with “chaos-infused” wings. There’s also a fully free-roaming hub world that plays like Sonic Frontiers that includes light puzzle-solving and makes use of the new powers.

I initially thought this Shadow Generations counterpart would be nothing more than a few levels sprinkled into the main Sonic experience. Still, I was pleasantly surprised to see it was a fully standalone experience. Players don’t even need to complete the original Generations to access it — it’s available in the main menu right from the start.

Par for the course of modern remasters and re-releases, Sonic X Shadow Generations runs buttery-smooth on PS5 and looks gorgeous, and this is supported by the linear and straightforward nature of its designs, which means it avoids the technical issues that plagued the open-world Frontiers at launch.

Sonic X Shadow Generations would’ve been an incredible package if it was simply remastering the 2011 classic, but the fact that it throws in a whole second game makes it one of the finest platforming experiences of the year, and arguably the most jam-packed release of 2024. Serving as love letters to Sonic’s past and present while perfecting two distinct forms of gameplay make it one the Blue Blur’s finest outings.It’s not just a stroll down memory lane — it’s a high-flying rollercoaster reminding us how great Sega’s mascot was, and still is.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Disclosures: This game is published by Sega and developed by Sonic Team. It is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, XBO/X/S. This copy was obtained via publisher and was reviewed on PS5. Approximately 10 hours were spent in single-player modes and the game was not completed. The original release was played and completed on Xbox 360.

Parents: According to the ESRB, this game is rated E10 for Fantasy Violence. According to the site: This is an action-adventure game in which players assume the role of Sonic the Hedgehog as he attempts to stop a mysterious force from altering his universe’s timeline. As players zoom across fantastical landscapes, they collect gold rings and power-ups while using spin attacks to knock over enemies (e.g., insect- and animal-like robots); enemies disappear amid smoke puffs, and Sonic blinks and loses rings when hit. The game includes a handful of boss-fight sequences (e.g., defeating a giant serpent creature by crashing into its weak points); explosions, shrieking sounds, and close-up spin attacks accompany these battles.

Colorblind Modes: Colorblind modes are not present in the options menu.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Gamers: Players can choose to turn on subtitles for cutscenes as well as visual reminders for controls during gameplay. They cannot be resized, but various visual elements will guide players through levels, like markers to indicate enemies as well as button prompts. This game is fully accessible.

Remappable Controls: The controls cannot be remapped but there are presets for the player to select.