With a brand-new trailer and a demo showcase forSonic X Shadow Generationsat Summer Game Fest, fans have more of an idea of what to expect from the remaster and its bonus Shadow solo campaign.Sonic X Shadow Generationsis currently slated for release on October 25, and it promises to allow fans to experience a fan-favorite title with a fresh coat of paint while also re-introducing old and new fans to Shadow the Hedgehog. While this has excited many players, some Sonic fans have their reservations aboutGenerationsbeing remastered.
SomeSonic Generationsfans are surprised to see the game remastered, as it can beplayed on Xbox Series X/S like many otherSonicgamesas well as on Steam, but beyond that,Generationswas left behind two console generations back. There is some nostalgia, still, alongside improvements that fans want to see. According to Game Rant’s interview with Sonic Creative Officer and creator of Shadow the Hedgehog, Takashi Iizuka, Sonic Team is taking full advantage of nostalgia and new improvements.
Sonic X Shadow Generations Revisits the Original’s Concept of Interactive History
AsSonic Generationswas first and foremost an anniversary game, it sets out to celebrate everything Sonic that it could possibly fit in its runtime, fromremixing famousSonicstages in 2D and 3Dto offering collectibles that unlock concept art and character statues. The stages that were specifically designed for Modern and Classic Sonic are where most ofGenerations' storytelling was found in its environments, aiming to make the game feel like an interactive history museum of sorts where old and new players could experience everything about the series by playing it. According to Iizuka, this concept lends well to what Sonic Team aims to do withShadow Generations.
We can’t talk much about Doom Powers at this point, so we can’t get into too much about what’s different, but the team did want to make sure that the Doom Powers, as unique abilities, have to be used in the level design. A lot of the level design will include those because, well, Sonic doesn’t have them. We’re including these places where the Doom Powers can be used inside of the Shadow content. Even the core design, when you think about it outside the Doom Powers, is very similar toSonic Generations, but it’s also a little bit different.
Players will have speed that’s going to be the same as Sonic; it’s part of the core design philosophy. It needs to be a high-speed level to run through, but being able touse Chaos Control in the Shadow levelsis also a core part ofShadow Generations' core fundamental design process. As Iizuka explained, “When we’re making the levels, there has to be Chaos Control moments in them.”
Shadow Generations Isn’t Just What It Says on the Tin
Despite what the title may make fans believe, though,Shadow Generationsis more than just revising Shadow’s stages. After all, Sonic Team is well aware that fans already get whatGenerationshas to offer from the base game itself, soShadow Generationspurposefully goes out of its way to do something different. This means using what consists of the “Generationsformat” and twisting it to better suit Shadow and his interactive, character-driven experience.
Yes, it’s fun to relive the past, but it’s also fun to experience these new things as you’re attacking the boss and maybe that boss is going to start doing different movements and actions that you don’t remember it doing. Then you’ll realize you’re in the second stage of the boss fight, and you think, “I don’t remember this even existing!” It didn’t, because it’s new.
It makes sure that you get both that nostalgic fun, you feel comfortable, but you also get that fun, surprising delight as the boss battle kind of turns into aShadow Generationsboss fight. A boss fight where Doom Powers can be used as well, so can Chaos Control. All the things that make itShadow Generationsare put into that nostalgia to make something different.
With the fact thatShadow Generationsis being developed to throw surprises at the player, and the interestingnature of Shadow’s new Doom Powersand how they’re integrated into the game at large, it makes this new campaign very difficult to predict in all the right ways. Fans can expect a story that hits all the right notes for who Shadow is as a character, uses both old and new abilities to make the gameplay style his rather than just Sonic redone, and takes plenty of notes from games likeSonic Frontiersto propel what fans can expect from the newest “era” of the series even further. It makesShadow Generationssound immensely promising in many ways, and no matter if an old fan picks it up to play as Shadow, or if someone picks it up after freshly watchingSonic 3, they’re bound to be in for an exciting time.
Sonic X Shadow Generations
WHERE TO PLAY
THE RETURN OF SHADOWIn this new standalone campaign, Shadow’s nemesis, Black Doom, has reemerged and threatens to take over the world once again. Shadow must journey into his past, confront his painful memories, and unlock new dark powers to save the world.
SHADOW EVOLVEDHarness Shadow’s new Doom Powers to battle hordes of enemies and tackle platforming challenges like never before. Surf on water, fly over obstacles, and stop time with the return of Chaos Control!A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME AND DIMENSIONSExperience the ultimate showdown between Shadow and Black Doom in a new boss battle that will test your skills and reflexes. Use all of Shadow’s abilities to defeat Black Doom and save the world!EXPLORE THE NEW WHITE SPACEStretch your legs in an all-new hub world inspired by the open-zone gameplay of Sonic Frontiers. As Shadow gains new powers, he can explore further and uncover the secrets hidden throughout!
