Sonic X Shadow Generations review – Rerunning up that Emerald Hill

The Chinese Zodiac says that 2024 is the year of the dragon, but if you’re a Sega fan, this is clearly the year of the hedgehog. Sonic’s stock has never been higher, and with a third movie on the way that’ll introduce audiences to Shadow the Hedgehog, Sega is striking while the iron is hot with Sonic X Shadow Generations. On the surface, you’ve got a two-for-one special here with a slick remaster of 2011’s Sonic Generations and a brand-new campaign for Shadow.

While both parts of the game offer a dose of high-speed action starring the Erinacine heroes, Shadow steals the show here. But as the sum of its parts, Sonic X Shadow Generations sets a new gold standard for what a Sonic remaster can and should be in the modern age.

First up is Sonic Generations, now sporting several significant graphical upgrades. While it’s also available on last-gen consoles, on modern systems like PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X, this updated version of the game shines with a native 4K resolution running at 60fps. The vibrant design of the original game looks fantastic thanks to all the new bells and whistles Sonic Team has thrown at it, and mechanically, it’s still a fun blend of traditional 2D stages mixed with 3D levels.

The interesting twist here is that you’ll play through the 2D levels as Classic Sonic, while Modern Sonic handles the high-velocity jaunts of the third dimension. When it was first released, Sonic Generations presented itself as a celebration of all things Sonic, and that idea still stands strong with its collection of levels inspired by the Blue Blur’s Sega Megadrive, Saturn, and Dreamcast adventures. But because it’s a remaster focused on all things Sonic prior to the 2010s, you can’t help but notice that there’s a massive gap in this highlight reel.

That doesn’t take any enjoyment from the levels you’ll get to speed through, and hopefully, Sonic Team is working on a game that pays homage to 2010s Sonic properly. There’s still a ton of fun to be had here, with stages offering a gauntlet-like challenge that’ll push you to revisit them until you nail a perfect S-rank score. Basically, these levels are a showcase of just how good Sonic Team is at crafting compelling arenas in which to feel the thrilling need for speed.

If Sonic Generations is a time capsule, then the Shadow the Hedgehog half of this package is the crowbar used it to bust said capsule open. While the story is brand-new, the legacy attached to it is a fascinating one. Back in the 2000s, Shadow played a large role in several Sonic games. That storyline was eventually abandoned, but this new game finally gives fans of the ultimate lifeform closure with his tale, as Shadow faces off against his nemesis Black Doom.

Similar to Sonic Generations, Shadow Generations is also a trip down memory lane at an absurd speed, pitting Shadow against all manner of foes across 2D and 3D levels. Each new ability Shadow unlocks makes him a force to be reckoned with, while adding to the enjoyment of each imaginatively designed stage. Throw in a soundtrack with some of the sickest guitar licks you’ve ever heard, and Shadow Generations feels edgier than a Linkin Park cover band.

If there is a downside here, it’s that nostalgia can be a double-edged sword. Sonic X Shadow Generations contains all the charm and aggravation of the original games, from wonky cameras to frustrating placement of enemies that can derail your momentum. It’s a strange situation that Sega and Sonic Team find themselves in, because while Sonic X Shadow Generations shows just how far the franchise had come by the 2010s, in 2024, it can also feel incredibly dated when compared to modern Sonic.

And yet, those annoyances and archaic gameplay beats still deliver an experience that shows just how timeless a good Sonic can be. That DNA of high-speed action and precision platforming is still present, a codex of creative level design that shines so long as you keep a forward sense of momentum. Your mileage–and memories–might vary with Sonic X Shadow Generations, but for anyone who grew up wishing that they’d get a phone call from K-TV to ask them to shout directions at their TV during those unforgettable Sonic competitions, this game might just put a goofy grin on your face when its retro charm kicks in.

Released on 22 October, you can play Sonic X Shadow Generations now on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series consoles, Xbox One and PC.