- This article is about the bundle video game. For the Shadow-centered game included in it, see Shadow Generations.Not to be confused with Sonic X
Sonic X Shadow Generations (ソニック × シャドウ ジェネレーションズ Sonikku Shadō Jenereeshonzu?) is a 2024 bundle video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega. It features two games: a remaster of Sonic Generations (2011) and a new game called Shadow Generations, featuring Shadow the Hedgehog as a playable character. The game is part of the "Fearless: Year of Shadow" campaign that ran throughout the year.
The game was first teased during Sony's PlayStation State of Play livestream on 31 January 2024. It was released for the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC on 25 October 2024, with consumers who bought the Digital Deluxe Edition having obtained access to the game three days earlier.[1] The game received positive reviews and was a commercial success, having sold over 1 million copies on the first day of its release.
Plot[edit]
Gameplay[edit]
Sonic X Shadow Generations features two games: a remaster of Sonic Generations, retaining the same gameplay style, and Shadow Generations, incorporating elements from the original Generations and Sonic Frontiers.
Changes to Sonic Generations[edit]
New characters[edit]
Skins[edit]
- Modern Sonic Adventure Legacy Sonic
- Classic Sonic Jam Legacy Sonic
Features[edit]
- The game now features a save slot system - while the original only had one save file, the remaster has three save slots.
- Entering the Statue Room now requires a single button press instead of holding the button down for a few seconds, and a UI element has been added to show that Sonic can enter it. Codes are no longer required, as all statues are unlocked from the start.
- Modern Sonic's moveset now includes the Drop Dash ability that debuted in Sonic Mania. Classic Sonic has it as a Custom Skill that's equipped by default.[2] [3]
- The player can now set their controls to be based on either Sonic Frontiers or the original game's control scheme (referred to as "Standard" and "Legacy" respectively), with the former being the default setting.[4] The PC version also includes the ability to remap buttons in-game, and the mouse buttons can be mapped.
- When the controls are set to "Standard":
- The Boost activation button is mapped to Template:RT Button (Xbox One)/R2/[SHIFT] instead of Template:X Button (Xbox)/Square/[A].[5]
- The Homing Attack is activated by pressing Template:X Button (Xbox One)/Square/[LEFT CLICK] in mid-air while an object is locked on. However, pressing Template:A Button (Xbox)/Cross/[S] a second time is still possible.[5]
- The Life system can now be turned on or off by toggling the "Challenge Tries" setting in the options menu.[6]
- When turned off, 1-Ups do not appear in Acts. They can still be purchased from the Skill Shop, though.
- In addition to the five Red Star Rings, there is now a "Chao Rescue" feature where there are now three Chao hidden throughout every level in the game, akin to Sonic Advance 3 or the extra missions from Sonic Adventure 2.
- The Collection Room was updated to include an option to view the rescued Chao, as well as hints describing where the missing Chao are at.
Appearance[edit]
- The game's cutscenes have been reworked in numerous ways:[7]
- The English script was rewritten by Ian Flynn, replacing Ken Pontac and Warren Graff, who wrote the original game's story. The Japanese script and both scripts' non-cutscene dialogue remain mostly unchanged, with the exception of new lines by Modern Sonic and one by Modern Tails in the Japanese-voiced cutscenes.
- The rewritten dialogue contains more references during specific scenes, such as Modern Tails mentioning South Island and West Side Island while in Green Hill and Chemical Plant respectively, and Modern Sonic mentioning the Time Stones when the Tails' reveal their traveling through time.
- Modern Sonic now verbally responds to his friends after saving them rather than staying silent like in the original game. However, Classic Sonic maintains his silence.
- Amy and Knuckles' dialogue when saved by Modern Sonic is rewritten to make them less self-centered, instead ensuring Sonic that they will help him take down the Time Eater.
- When saved by Classic Sonic, Knuckles now asks where the rest of his island is, rather than if he gained weight. However, Classic Sonic's reaction to the original line, where he self-consciously feels his stomach, is maintained.
- Characters who described the feeling of being trapped in limbo, namely Tails, Cream, and Espio (when saved by Classic Sonic), do not specifically describe such feeling anymore.
- Modern Eggman now explicitly mentions how his plans started after Sonic ruined his Incredible Interstellar Amusement Park during the events of Sonic Colors, something that was only implied as his "most recent setback".
- In the final cutscene, Modern Tails speaks to Classic Tails on what happens once the timeline is restored. In the original game, Classic Tails asks his Modern counterpart where Sonic keeps all of his Rings, to which he is unsure.
- Several Chao can now be seen in the first and last cutscenes of the game celebrating Sonic's birthday alongside his friends.
- In the first cutscene, Amy is now seen presenting and offering cupcakes to Sonic instead of him shoving his hand in her face to keep her away.
- Classic Eggman is now visible when he is kidnapped by the Time Eater. In the original game, while the orb that contains him is seen, Classic Eggman himself is completely obscured.
- In the ending cutscene, Silver is seen with a chili dog in his hand, while he was not holding anything in the original game.
- In the same cutscene, Amy simply pushes Knuckles back instead of comically smacking him into the tree when he says that Sonic "wasn't half bad". Knuckles’ reaction was also altered, and he instead looks at her surprised before giving a smug grin rather than sliding down the tree in a dizzy state.
- The Time Hole in the same cutscene no longer depicts an image of Green Hill.
- The English script was rewritten by Ian Flynn, replacing Ken Pontac and Warren Graff, who wrote the original game's story. The Japanese script and both scripts' non-cutscene dialogue remain mostly unchanged, with the exception of new lines by Modern Sonic and one by Modern Tails in the Japanese-voiced cutscenes.
-
Amy's profile in the original version.
-
Amy's profile in the rewritten version.
- Amy's profile in the Collection Room was rewritten to reflect her current interpretation, while also mentioning her Piko Piko Hammer and her Fortune Cards.
- The font of the text used in the introductory cards for both the rival and boss battles is different.
- The subtitles now mention the name of the character who's currently speaking.
- The opening cutscene now has sound effects added to it, such as Sonic running, jumping, and Boosting.
- Due to the game's release on multiple consoles, as well as the ability to customize controls, Omochao's tutorial dialogue has been rewritten so that he no longer mentions any console button by name.
- This also applies to the final boss and Challenge Acts where Sonic's friends help him, where they simply tell the player to "press the button" without mentioning it by name.
- A new HUD element has been added to track Red Star Rings - it appears when one is collected, and lists them in the order that they appear in the level, akin to the HUD element from Sonic Colors. In the original game, the number of Red Star Rings found could only be viewed in White Space, which simply showed how many the player had collected regardless of their position.
- Some character models were changed:
- Classic Sonic's quills have been updated to resemble his appearance in Sonic Superstars. However, in some cutscenes, the quills from the original game are left intact.
- Rouge's outfit has been slightly altered apparently to match her new model in Shadow Generations. This outfit is slightly less revealing, with more clothing to cover her back and having the heart-shaped center cover more of her cleavage, which has been made slightly smaller.[8]
- A new button prompt has been added to showcase how to enter the Statue Room via the Collection Room.
- The game now supports Russian, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Korean and Thai localizations.
- The Collection Room had a slight change:
- The television, that was originally located close to the photo frames, was moved more to the left closer to the wall.
- The chair that was at the left of the television was also moved alongside it.
- The red pillow that was originally on the chair aside the television was removed.
- The bookshelf that was originally empty and was at the left of the television was moved to the right, closer to the photo frames, and was given books.
Cast and voice direction[edit]
- Due to the rewritten script, the voices for the cutscenes have been rerecorded from scratch. However, many characters who keep their voice actor from the original game maintain their gameplay voice lines from that game.
- In all language dubs (except for French), many characters have different voice actors than the original game, due to cast changes that have happened since the original game's release.
- English dub cast changes:[9]
- Colleen O'Shaughnessey replaces Kate Higgins as Classic and Modern Tails.
- Dave B. Mitchell replaces Travis Willingham as Knuckles.
- Matthew Mercer replaces Troy Baker as Espio.
- Erica Lindbeck replaces Laura Bailey as Blaze and Omochao.
- Bryce Papenbrook replaces Quinton Flynn as Silver.
- Japanese dub cast changes:[9]
- Due to Chikao Ōtsuka's death in 2015, Kotaro Nakamura replaces him as both Eggmen.
- Italian dub cast changes:[9]
- Claudio Moneta replaces Riccardo Lombardo and Maurizio Merluzzo as Shadow.
- Ilaria Silvestri, reprising her role from Sonic Prime, replaces Jasmine Laurenti as Rouge.
- Due to Diego Sabre's retirement in 2022, Matteo Brusamonti replaces him as Vector.
- German dub cast changes:[9]
- Paulina Weiner replaces Anke Kortemeier as Classic and Modern Tails.
- Anna Gamburg replaces Shandra Schadt as Amy.
- Due to Hartmut Neugebauer's death in 2017, Johannes Oliver Hamm replaces him as Classic and Modern Eggman.
- Due to Klaus Lochthove's death in 2023, Felix Spieß, who reprised his role from Sonic Prime, replaces him as Shadow.
- Spanish dub cast changes:[9]
- Because Jonatán López retired in 2016 and died in 2020, Ángel de Gracia replaces him as Modern Sonic.
- Masumi Mutsuda replaces Ángel de Gracia as Silver.
- Anna Orra replaces Graciela Molina as Charmy.
- English dub cast changes:[9]
Others[edit]
- The playable unlockable port of Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) from the console version is no longer included.
- The PC version no longer uses an external configuration tool - all settings can now be manually changed in-game. The PC version's stereoscopic 3D feature has also been removed.
- The 30 Second Trial mode has been removed.
- The Casino Night DLC from the console/PC version is included in the base game rather than as a separate download.
- "Right There, Ride On" is replaced by the theme of Westopolis in the Collection Room, likely due to legalities involving it.
- Twenty-four out of the original forty-nine achievements from the original Sonic Generations were not included.
- The Quick Step makes a sound whenever Sonic activates it.
Controls[edit]
The Sonic Generations remaster now uses a new control scheme similar to Sonic Frontiers, though there is an option for the player to use the old control scheme known as "Legacy Controls". For the PC version, it is also possible to customize the button mapping in player's favor.
The controls shown below are for the "Standard" control scheme.
Achievements[edit]
These are the achievements and trophies for the Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Steam versions of Sonic X Shadow Generations.
Cast[edit]
- This section is about the cast of the rewritten and re-recorded remaster of Sonic Generations. For the cast section in Shadow Generations, see Shadow Generations#Cast.
In the Japanese dub of the game, the only characters with newly added voice lines are Sonic, Modern Tails, both Eggmen, and Omochao. All other characters reuse their portrayals from the original Sonic Generations.
Promotion[edit]
| This section requires an expansion. |  |
On 31 January 2024, Sonic X Shadow Generations was first announced during Sony's State of Play.
On 8 June 2024, a trailer on Summer Game Fest was shown which was instantly released on YouTube.[10] With it, it was announced that there would be a pre-order bonus, as well as a Digital Deluxe version. The pre-order bonus will give the buyer a skin for Modern Sonic based on Sonic's appearance from the original Sonic Adventure game with all his Level Up Items. Physical pre-orders will also include a reversible cover and a physical replica of Gerald Robotnik's journal.
The Digital Deluxe Edition contains a set of Skill Points for Sonic Generations, a bonus skin for Shadow based on his "Terios" beta design, an extra BGM pack, a digital art book and soundtrack, and the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Movie Pack (which contains an extra skin and level based on the upcoming third Sonic movie). Pre-orders of this version also include three-day early access on all consoles but Nintendo Switch, allowing it to be played on October 22nd as opposed to the 25th. The Terios skin was described in interviews as having a few differences in comparison to Shadow, making him feel like a completely different character.[11]
On 1 July 2024, it was revealed that those who sign up for the website's newsletter will receive a free legacy skin for Classic Sonic based on Sonic Jam, his first 3D appearance. When the game launched, the skin was listed separately on each store's marketplace as a paid DLC.
On 19 July 2024, it was announced on their social media that, thanks to fan feedback, all pre-orders from the physical release will have the Japanese box art as a reversible cover.
On 8 August, 2024, it was announced that a brand new serialized manga by CoroCoro Comic would be releasing in October to promote and adapt the game, dubbed The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog. During the same day, it was announced that a demo of the game would be shown in Gamescom 2024, from August 22 to August 25, where Sonic will be in attendance posing for photos with fans, as well showing off the custom-built Shadow-inspired motorcycle.
The next day, the social media team announced that the original Sonic Generations would be delisted from Steam, Xbox, and Playstation stores, with existing owners still being able to download and play the game. However, in an effort to preserve the game per the fan's wishes, it will still be included in Sonic game bundles on Steam and Xbox, also noting that mods made for the Steam version will not be affected by the change.[12]
On 19 August, 2024, it was announced that players could pre-order a special “Collector's Edition” through Limited Run Games, which includes the game, an artbook, the official soundtrack, an individually numbered certificate of authentication, Chao figurines, keychains, a steelbook, a comparative Dreamcast jewel case, a Sonic and Shadow Dreamcast statue, and all other pre-order bonuses. It is available to pre-order from 19 August to 6 October 2024 and is due to be shipped in July 2025.[13]
On 20 August 2024, a trailer for the game showcasing Shadow's new abilities (named "Doom Powers") was released, also showcasing levels that will be featured in the Shadow portion of the game, like Chaos Island from Sonic Frontiers, and the Metal Overlord from Sonic Heroes.
On 11 September 2024, a new piece of key art for the game was released revealing the Black Moon.
A demo of the game was playable during the Thailand Game Show 2024, held between 18 and 20 October 2024.[14]
Reception[edit]
| This section requires an expansion. | |
| Reception | |
|---|---|
| Aggregate scores | |
| Aggregator | Score |
| Metacritic | 80% (PS5)[15] |
| Review scores | |
| Publication | Score |
The bundle received high praise, both for the original game's remaster and Shadow's campaign.
Shacknews praised the game for its tight and polished action.[16] Video Games Chronicle praised the game for its abundance of lore information as well replay value.[17]
One major criticism of the bundle was that Sonic Generations did not fit in with Shadow Generations and felt outdated by comparison, creating a stark contrast between the two games. Gamespot opined that Shadow lacked innovation, and enjoyment may vary based on nostalgia.[18] Multiple sources also criticized the Doom Powers for not going together with game's flow and pace naturally,[18] while VGC anticipated the 3D design of White Space in Shadow would prove divisive.[17]
Trivia[edit]
- For the trivia section in Shadow Generations, see Shadow Generations#Trivia.
- This is the first console Sonic game where the logo uses a different font for "Sonic". The font originates from Sonic Unleashed for the "Sonic the Hedgehog" and "Sonic the Werehog" logos in the status screen.
- To coincide with the announcement of the game, Sonic Superstars also received a Shadow costume as free DLC on 15 February 2024.[19]
-
Shadow's entrance in the announce trailer.
-
Shadow posing in the announce trailer.
- The announcement trailer uses an edited version of the shot from the original Sonic Generations trailer where both Sonics jump into the air in slow-motion. The shot was extended with the addition of Shadow flying past Modern Sonic (with Classic Sonic falling out of the way, befuddled), causing the hedgehogs to strike the same poses from both the Sonic Adventure 2: Battle opening and the cutscene before the Rival battle with Shadow in the original Sonic Generations, although mirrored and with Sonic having a startled expression.
- Immediately after in that same trailer, the pose Shadow does when he lands in Green Hill is the same as a pose he does in artwork for Shadow the Hedgehog, albeit without a gun.
- The background music used in the announcement trailer is "Smash Your Enemies", by Tomas Herudek.
- Sonic's actual first appearance in 3D was in Sonic the Fighters, despite the website calling Sonic Jam his first 3D appearance.
- The title screen that switches the game bears resemblance to Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury.
- The Digital Deluxe edition was released on the same day as Graciela Molina's 47th birthday.
- Despite the dialogue being rewritten and re-recorded, much of the animation does not lip-sync to the new rewritten dialogue itself, instead lip-syncing to the original dialogue.
- This bundle is the first time the console version of Sonic Generations became available on a Nintendo console, as the 3DS version was a different game with unique levels.
- The tagline for this bundle is similar to the original Sonic Generations; 3 Eras, 2 Sonics, 1 Epic Adventure!
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Videos[edit]
Trailers[edit]
Miscellaneous[edit]
Advertisements/TV Spots[edit]
Notes[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS - Announce Trailer. YouTube. Sonic the Hedgehog (31 January 2024). Retrieved on 31 January 2024.
- ↑ https://x.com/SonicOfficialJP/status/1799224839246651869
- ↑ GameXplain (8 June 2024). Sonic X Shadow Generations is REALLY GOOD! 🦔 Hands-On Preview + NEW Gameplay. YouTube. Retrieved on 8 June 2024.
- ↑ https://x.com/SSF1991/status/1799951784502493555/
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 @GamesCage_ on X. X (9 June 2024). Retrieved on 9 June 2024.
- ↑ @StartZ_HHK on X (22 August 2024). Retrieved on 22 August 2024.
- ↑ SEGA and Limited Run Games Announce SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS Collector’s Edition (19 August 2024). Retrieved on 22 August 2024.
- ↑ https://youtu.be/xriJtp02Hr8?si=4bcvjJW5a8nQNzTw
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 iiYouseff (19 October 2024). Sonic X Shadow Generations voice credits. YouTube. Retrieved on 20 October 2024.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog (@SonictheHedgehog) on YouTube. YouTube (8 June 2024). Retrieved on 9 June 2024.
- ↑ Interview: Sonic × Shadow Generations 【TGS2024】 - GAME Watch (impress.co.jp)
- ↑ "Sonic the Hedgehog on X", August 9th, 2024,https://x.com/sonic_hedgehog/status/1821939586194665575
- ↑ https://x.com/sonic_hedgehog/status/1825564205430317423?s=46
- ↑ Thailand Game Show on Facebook (Thai) (10 October 2024). Retrieved on 20 October 2024.
- ↑ Sonic X Shadow Generations (PS5). Metacritic. Retrieved on 21 October 2024.
- ↑ White, Lucas (21 October 2024). Sonic x Shadow Generations review: Hello darkness, my best friend. Shacknews. "From a pure gameplay perspective, this is some of the tightest, most polished action from Sonic Team yet in the 3D Sonic camp."
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Scullion, Chris (21 October 2024). Review: Sonic X Shadow Generations delivers a double helping of fan service. VGC. "By and large, then, Sonic X Shadow Generations is a solid refresh for one of Sonic’s most well-loved 21st century games. Both games still suffer from many of the issues the 2011 release had – the side-scrolling stages still feel a lot floatier than 16-bit Sonic and the 3D sections are still prone to occasional glitches and annoying platforming moments."
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Ramée, Jordan (21 October 2024). Sonic X Shadow Generations Review - Reruns. GameSpot. "Sonic X Shadow Generations is a weird package. On one hand, Sonic Generations is a remaster of a great game from 2011 that now feels like it's a little outdated. And on the other, Shadow Generations is the conclusion to a storyline that the franchise hasn't really cared about since 2006."
- ↑ Doolan, Liam (1 February 2024). Sonic Superstars Celebrates 'Sonic X Shadow Generations' With Free Shadow Costume. Nintendo Life. Retrieved on 1 February 2024.
- ↑ みどり (@MbKKssTBhz5) on X. X (30 January 2024). Retrieved on 1 February 2024.
External links[edit]
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| 2000s | Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) · Sonic Heroes (2003) · Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) · Sonic Unleashed (2008) | |
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| 2020s | Sonic Frontiers (2022) · Sonic Superstars (2023) · Sonic X Shadow Generations (Shadow Generations; 2024) | |
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