“Sonic X Shadow Generations” is the latest Sonic game in the Sonic franchise. It’s two games: the original “Sonic Generations” from 2011 and a new game called “Shadow Generation.”
“Sonic Generations”
“Sonic Generations” was released in 2011 and got a rerelease for “Sonic X Shadow Generations” in 2024. It has a completely different version for the Nintendo 3DS, but I’m reviewing the original version. Sonic Generations is the game that brings Classic Sonic or Younger Sonic and Modern Sonic or Older Sonic together, going through levels from Sonic’s Past. You play as 2 versions of Sonic, Sonic from the Genesis games (Classic Sonic) and the Sonic from the Sega Dreamcast games onward (Modern Sonic). You play as these two in two different acts per level, act 1 is Classic Sonic and is a sidescrolling movement only, and Act 2 Modern Sonic allows you to in a 360° movement, going through the same levels otherwise. The game has you go through levels from games as early as Sonic 1 for the Sega Genesis and as new as Sonic Colors for consoles like the Wii. The levels are different in some way from how they originally were.
The game is interesting, and it got me interested in Sonic. It’s fun, and I could replay it a few times before it gets repetitive. I feel as though the game on modern consoles wasn’t tested as much as “Shadow Generation,” which had a few glitches, but it’s still good. The differences between Classic and Modern Sonic are big and take a bit to get used to. I would get the controls for the two confused, with Classic Sonic missing abilities that Modern Sonic has. I found out recently that the game (at least on the re-release for modern consoles) allows you to control Modern Sonic with the DPad.
I recommend the game to anyone who likes Sonic and wants to play a remaster of an older game. 9.8/10. It’s available on Switch, PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, and Xbox 360.
“Shadow Generations”
“Shadow Generation” is a new game that is paired with “Sonic Generations” for “Sonic X Shadow Generation,” the game was made for The Year of Shadow. The Year of Shadow is similar to The Year of Luigi, having a full campaign with more games and other forms of media featuring Shadow the Hedgehog this year than he originally was in years prior. “Shadow Generations” is an amazing game with a movement system different from “Sonic Generations.” The game doesn’t have a Classic Shadow since canonically Shadow was never young with him being created to be the Ultimate Lifeform.
“Shadow Generation,” has Act 1 be 360° with Act 2 be sidescrolling. The levels range from levels from “Sonic Adventure 2” to “Sonic Frontiers”. I’d like to point out that Shadow was never in “Sonic Frontiers.” The gaming news site Gaming Bible pointed out that there was a level from “Sonic Forces” even though that game takes place after “Sonic Generations” and “Shadow Generations” takes place during the events of “Sonic Generations.” The game perfectly shows what Shadow was up to during “Sonic Generations” since he makes an appearance in that game. a long with Sonic’s other friends. The game was made 13 years after “Sonic Generations” and is also packed in with “Sonic Generations.” There’s a big difference between mechanics because these powers are what Shadow had, and the game also gives Shadon new powers that fit well with the story of the game.
If you get “Sonic X Shadow Generations,” I recommend playing the game right after beating “Sonic Generations.” 10/10. Unlike “Sonic Generations” which was rereleased with “Sonic X Shadow Generations,” “Shadow Generations” is available only available on modern consoles. The consoles “Shadow Generations” are available on are Nintendo Switch, PS4 (only with a special version), PS5, and Xbox Series X and S.
Overall Rating
My overall rating for “Sonic X Shadow Generations,” averaging my ratings for “Sonic Generations” and “Shadow Generations,” is 9.9/10.
