Warning: Spoilers for the new Sonic Generations cutscenes ahead.
Sonic X Shadow Generationsis out now, which sees the fan-favoriteSonic Generationsremastered with a new, equally-sized experience titledShadow Generationspackaged alongside it, serving as a great way to experience the best of both supersonic hedgehogs. While the newer iteration ofSonic Generationsisn’t perfect, withShadow Generationsshowing notable improvement comparatively, both games are still incredibly fun to play, and Sonic’s side of the collection getting benefits from a few quality-of-life features. While players can experience both adventures inSonic X Shadow Generationshowever they want, returning toSonic Generationsfirst to get reacquainted with how the games work may be beneficial, and there are plenty of new surprises to find while doing so.
Firstly,howSonic Generationsruns on newer hardwareis worth seeing first-hand. In interviews, the head of Sonic Team stated how 60 frames per second gameplay qould really makeGenerationsfeel like a high-speed action game, and it most certainly feels like that from the very start once players jump in. Graphical upgrades also bring out details inSonic Generationsto the extent that small details such as Easter egg signs and posters in the game’s gorgeous stages are much easier to see. Gamers may also notice that Sonic and friends sound a bit different, and that there’s a new collectible to gather in the form of missing Chao.
What’s New in Sonic’s Side of Sonic X Shadow Generations
Sonic Generations' Cutscenes Have New Audio and Slight Visual Changes, and Here’s Why
The original release ofSonic Generationswas widely well-received in terms of its gameplay, but the biggest criticism fans had with it was the fact that it had hardly any story to speak of. This was such a big criticism that Sega decided to give the remaster a chance to fix it, with the old (and new cast in the case of Knuckles' new voice fromFrontiers) returning to completely redo the dialogue forGenerationswith new and edited lines byShadow Generations’writer Ian Flynn. The aim of changing the dialogue was to try and insert a bit more of a story to match the existing animations.
Sonic Generations' story is still rather simplistic and small even with the new cutscenes, and if fans wantmore of a narrative, then they should look atShadow Generations, but the additions do a good job of keeping characters and lore consistent between titles. Sonic and Tails no longer don’t know what Green Hill and Chemical Plant Zone are, and the Time Stones fromSonic CDare brought up to put the Time Eater’s powers into further perspective. Some cutscenes have more new dialogue than others, but one change that might interest players is that Modern Sonic is no longer quiet when he saves his friends at the end of every stage. Players get to choose which Sonic saves which characters by choosing which order they play Act 1 and Act 2 in, so knowing these changes ahead of time may help them decide their order. Sonic also no longer shoves his hand in Amy’s face at the start, and Amy only shoves Knuckles a bit in the ending, no longer pushing him into the tree.
Players Can Find Chao Throughout Sonic Generations' Stages
When it came to remasteringSonic Generations, it was accepted by Sonic Team that many players had experienced and known the original release by heart. As such, the developers wanted to add something that even the most experienced player could look forward to. For this, they turned to the Chao that have become a secondary icon for the series, and not only scattered them across the stages, but also made them each unique with different animations in the hub world each time players load back in. This serves as a great way to make the little critters more than just a generic collectible, as fans can see them dance, play instruments, and generally just be cute once they finally find them on their runs.
Sonic Generationsmight not have changed too much, but what’s been added certainly makes it run to revisit, as it once again remixes nostalgia with unexpected additions. Even if thenew writing for Sonic’s cutscenesmay be rather small in comparison to Shadow’s story, the changes still help makeSonic X Shadow Generationsa cohesive package that die-hard fans are sure to love from all angles.
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!
