Sonic X Shadow Generations Review: A Nostalgic Journey Through Sonic’s Greatest Hits on PS5

I love Sonic, and over the past few years I’ve reviewed almost everything Sonic related here on Gamereactor, but one of the best Sonic games released in the last decade, Sonic Generations, I haven’t had the pleasure of playing – until now. With the arrival of Sonic X Shadow Generations, a collection of the best Sonic has to offer, that has changed. So let’s take a look at this tribute to Sonic’s greatest hits that I’ve had the pleasure of playing on PlayStation 5.

Basically, there are two games in Sonic X Shadow Generations. The first is the familiar Sonic Generations, a great package in itself, but you also get a full campaign with Shadow the Hedgehog, which offers a very different experience. Although Shadow’s campaign is different, it shares the same DNA as Sonic, making it a unified package. Let’s start with Sonic Generations though.

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Sonic Generations combines some of the best levels from the entire history of the Sonic universe, both in 2D form like classic Sonic and in 3D form like the newer version of many escapades of the character we knew in the Dreamcast era. Here we find some of the most iconic tracks, and as in almost all Sonic games, we start with the legendary Green Hill Zone. I bet we can all hum the music from that track if we put in the effort, and that’s proof that it still feels good to move through. In the game, both the 2D and 3D versions of Sonic are thrown back in time by an unknown ghostly black figure, making the two replay the most iconic levels. Along the way, you’ll also be joined by classic Sonic characters such as Tails and Knuckles. After completing each level as both 2D and 3D Sonic, you can complete challenges built into the levels to earn keys to unlock a boss fight against Dr. Robotnik. Once he is defeated, you will unlock three new levels. This gives the game a lot of content, and with Shadow’s campaign included you can easily get to 15-20 hours of playtime. That’s not small for a platform game, I’m just saying.

In addition, there are many mini games to engage in, which only adds to the entertainment. I was personally fascinated by the pinball game where, in true Sonic Spinball style, you have to guide Sonic around a huge pinball game with multiple levels and tons of action. It’s a real treat for dedicated fans. The story in Sonic Generations may not be Shakespeare, but it ties the levels together well and delivers some fun little moments that will make you laugh. Unlike Frontiers, there is clearly no attempt to create a narrative connective tissue here, the story is just there.

Shadow’s campaign is very different from Sonic’s. If I were to describe Shadow, I would call him a kind of “emo-Sonic”, or at least a caricatured “shadow side”, which the name also reflects in itself. It’s black and red, and it’s both mysterious and moody. His story is darker and the courses are chaotic. Shadow was created in a lab by Dr. Robotnik’s father, which means he has some abilities that Sonic doesn’t have. For example, he can throw lightning, be vulnerable by pressing the R2 button, and even stop time. However, this can be a little overwhelming because the game moves at such a high speed that you have to react faster than your reflexes allow. For me, Shadow’s abilities became too much with no time to master them. Not because it’s challenging, not at all, it’s more just that the game doesn’t really put these abilities into a meaningful context.

That said, Shadow’s levels are still fun to play, especially since they switch between 2D and 3D formats, which keeps the experience fresh.

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My biggest gripe with Sonic X is Shadow Generations, though. Unlike Sonic Mania, where the controls felt perfect and precise, this one feels a little unsteady, as if Frontiers had made a huge improvement here. It often feels like the height of the jump is not fully used, which may be because the camera moves in and out. This means that you often have to adjust Sonic or Shadow after they jump so that they land properly. It’s a shame, because Sonic games rely on precise control, and unfortunately that’s not always the case here. I got used to it after a while, but it was never quite perfect. I never felt like that part of the game clicked for me, unfortunately.

Sonic X Shadow Generations Sonic brings together the best of Sonic’s past, and that includes the music. You can find everything from classic chip ports from the Sega Mega Drive era to modern games with songs on the soundtrack. Personally, I prefer the chiptune music, as the nostalgic notes hit home for a Sonic veteran like me. The graphics are also fluid, and mostly run at 60 frames per second. However, you may experience a few seconds in frame rate when there is a lot going on on the screen, but luckily this only happens when you are not in control of Sonic or Shadow. The levels are varied and inventive and showcase Sonic Team at its best. It’s a shame that the quality is so variable in Sonic games in general, because this imaginative and exciting game design should be common in all modern Sonic games, but unfortunately it is many losers between Sonic’s greatest successes. You forget that when you play Sonic X Shadow Generations.

It’s worth saying that while Sonic X Shadow Generations doesn’t bring anything terribly new to the Sonic series, it does what it does best – take us on a nostalgic trip through Sonic’s most iconic moments – in a way that very possible. The minor technical issues and control glitches drag it down a bit, but they can’t change the fact that it’s a solid and entertaining tribute to our favorite hedgehog. Overall, Sonic X Shadow Generations is a great package that contains some of the best tracks in Sonic history, and Shadow’s campaign serves as a dark but interesting contrast to Sonic’s colorful adventures. If you want to experience Sonic at his best, this collection is a must. So if you haven’t tried Sonic Generations before, here’s your chance to play Sonic’s greatest hits on today’s hardware, in a package that will provide hours of entertainment.