is a 2024

platform game A platformer (also called a platform game, and sometimes a jump 'n' run game) is a subgenre of action game in which the core objective is to move the player character between points in an environment. Platform games are characterized by levels wi ...

developed by

Sonic Team , doing business as , is a Japanese video game developer owned by Sega. Sonic Team is best known for its ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' series and games such as '' Nights into Dreams'' and '' Phantasy Star Online''. The initial team, formed in 1990, c ...

and published by

Sega is a Japanese video game company and subsidiary of Sega Sammy Holdings headquartered in Tokyo. It produces several List of best-selling video game franchises, multi-million-selling game franchises for arcade game, arcades and video game cons ...

. It is the second ''

Sonic the Hedgehog is a video game series and media franchise created by the Japanese developers Yuji Naka, Naoto Ohshima, and Hirokazu Yasuhara for Sega. The franchise follows Sonic the Hedgehog (character), Sonic, an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog who battle ...

'' game to feature

Shadow A shadow is a dark area on a surface where light from a light source is blocked by an object. In contrast, shade occupies the three-dimensional volume behind an object with light in front of it. The cross-section of a shadow is a two-dimensio ...

as the protagonist, following ''

Shadow the Hedgehog is a character created by the Japanese game developers Takashi Iizuka (game designer), Takashi Iizuka, Shiro Maekawa, and Kazuyuki Hoshino. He is a major character in Sega's ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' franchise. An Anthropomorphism, anthropomorph ...

'' (2005). Its story runs parallel to ''

Sonic Generations ''Sonic Generations'' is a 2011 platform game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, and Nintendo 3DS. Produced in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' series, the ...

'' (2011), serving as a paraquel, and sees Shadow travel through time as he faces his arch-nemesis Black Doom. Like ''Sonic Generations'', the levels and bosses are drawn from previous ''Sonic'' games; it also includes levels and

game mechanics In tabletop games and video games, game mechanics define how a game works for players. Game mechanics are the rules or ludemes that govern and guide player actions, as well as the game's response to them. A rule is an instruction on how to play, whi ...

from games released after ''Sonic Generations''. ''Shadow Generations'' is not available as a standalone game, instead being bundled with a remaster of ''Sonic Generations'' in It was released on October 25, 2024, for the

Nintendo Switch The is a video game console developed by Nintendo and released worldwide in most regions on March 3, 2017. Released in the middle of the Eighth generation of video game consoles, eighth generation of home consoles, the Switch succeeded the ...

PlayStation 4 The PlayStation 4 (PS4) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Announced as the successor to the PlayStation 3 in February 2013, it was launched on November 15, 2013, in North America, November 29, 2013, in ...

PlayStation 5 The PlayStation 5 (PS5) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It was announced as the successor to the PlayStation 4 in April 2019, was launched on November 12, 2020, in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, North ...

Xbox One The Xbox One is a home video game console developed by Microsoft. Announced in May 2013, it is the successor to Xbox 360 and the third console in the Xbox#Consoles, Xbox series. It was first released in North America, parts of Europe, Austra ...

Xbox Series X/S The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are the fourth generation of consoles in the Xbox series, succeeding the previous generation's Xbox One. Released on November 10, 2020, the higher-end Xbox Series X and lower-end Xbox Series S are part o ...

, and

Windows Windows is a Product lining, product line of Proprietary software, proprietary graphical user interface, graphical operating systems developed and marketed by Microsoft. It is grouped into families and subfamilies that cater to particular sec ...

to generally favorable reviews. The game has been a commercial success, selling 2 million copies by January 2025. A

Nintendo Switch 2 The is a hybrid video game console developed by Nintendo, released in most regions on June5, 2025. Like the original Nintendo Switch, Switch, it can be used as a Handheld game console, handheld, as a Tablet computer, tablet, or connected via ...

version released as a launch title for the system on June 5, 2025.

Gameplay

''Shadow Generations'' is a

that shifts between

side-scrolling A side-scrolling video game (alternatively side-scroller) is a video game viewed from a side-view camera angle where the screen follows the player as they move left or right. The jump from single-screen or flip-screen graphics to scrolling grap ...

and 3D gameplay. Being included in ''Sonic X Shadow Generations'', players can switch between ''Shadow Generations'' and the 2011 game ''

''. As

, the

player character A player character (also known as a playable character or PC) is a fictional Character (arts), character in a video game or tabletop role-playing game whose actions are controlled by a player rather than the rules of the game. The characters tha ...

of the

single-player A single-player video game is a video game where input from only one player is expected throughout the gameplay. Video games in general can feature several game modes, including single-player modes designed to be played by a single player in add ...

game, the player must complete a series of

level Level or levels may refer to: Engineering *Level (optical instrument), a device used to measure true horizontal or relative heights * Spirit level or bubble level, an instrument designed to indicate whether a surface is horizontal or vertical *C ...

s and bosses to defeat the alien warlord Black Doom. Similar to Modern Sonic in ''Sonic Generations'', Shadow can boost for extra speed, home in on enemies to attack, and stomp downwards to smash through obstacles and enemies. Unlike Sonic, Shadow can obtain

power-up In video games, a power-up is an object that adds temporary benefits or extra abilities to the player character as a Game mechanics, game mechanic. This is in contrast to an Item (game), item, which may or may not have a permanent benefit that ca ...

s granting him new abilities. By defeating enemies, the player fills a meter that allows Shadow to activate "Chaos Control", which stops time, freezes objects, and allows access to alternate paths. As the player progresses, they unlock transformations enabling new methods of attack and traversal. These include attacking multiple enemies with light constructed spears, surfing on water, launching larger enemies to teleport long distances, morphing into an alien to traverse certain terrain, and gliding through the air. Unlike ''Sonic Generations'' side-scrolling hub world, the hub world in ''Shadow Generations'' is 3D and features open-world gameplay similar to that of '' Sonic Frontiers'' (2022). Players use it to become accustomed to transformations and to access levels and bosses. Each level has two acts; the first features 3D gameplay, while the second features side-scrolling gameplay. Two challenge stages are available for each act, which feature altered stage layouts and require Shadow to complete a specific objective, such as destroying a certain number of enemies or reaching the goal with only one ring. Completing both challenges grants the player a key to unlock boss battles, where the player must deplete the health of a larger enemy to proceed. Every challenge must be completed to finish the game. Each act and challenge stage contains three hidden tokens used to unlock chests located throughout White Space. These unlock bonus content including concept art, summaries of Shadow's roles in previous ''Sonic'' games, and music tracks that can be played during stages. Additional artwork and music can be unlocked by clearing challenges in White Space and finding parts for Orbot and Cubot's rocket. Players can also collect pages of Gerald Robotnik's journal, which detail the story of Shadow's in-universe creation from Gerald's perspective. A set of more difficult challenges and bosses are unlocked after completing the game. By purchasing additional

downloadable content content (DLC) is additional content created for an already released video game, distributed through the Internet by the game's publisher. It can be added for no extra cost or as a form of video game monetization, enabling the publisher to gain ad ...

(DLC), players can equip an alternate

skin Skin is the layer of usually soft, flexible outer tissue covering the body of a vertebrate animal, with three main functions: protection, regulation, and sensation. Other animal coverings, such as the arthropod exoskeleton, have different ...

for Shadow based on his prototype "Terios" design.

Levels

''Shadow Generations'' levels and bosses, like those in ''Sonic Generations'', are drawn from previous ''Sonic'' games, including some from games released after the original ''Sonic Generations''. An additional level, based on scenes from the 2024 film ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3'', was released as DLC on December 12, 2024.

Plot

While

Rouge the Bat The ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' video game franchise began in 1991 with the video game ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' for the Sega Genesis, which pitted a blue anthropomorphic hedgehog named Sonic against a rotund male human villain named Doctor Eggman (o ...

and others attend

's birthday party, Shadow the Hedgehog travels to the derelict Space Colony ARK to investigate a report of strange activity. He discovers Black Doom, the leader of the Black Arms alien race and one of Shadow's creators, survived his defeat and pursues him. Shadow finds the fake Chaos Emerald previously created by

Miles "Tails" Prower Miles "Tails" Prower is a character created by the Japanese game designer Yasushi Yamaguchi. He is a major character in Sega's ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' franchise. Tails is an anthropomorphic fox cub with two tails (hence his nickname) who serv ...

, but he is caught in a time anomaly created by the Time Eater and pulled into the realm of White Space, where Black Doom's base, the Black Moon, hovers. As Shadow explores White Space, he discovers relics that cause his body to mutate and develop new powers. Black Doom plans to use the time anomaly's power to revive his forces and conquer the world, warning Shadow that the two will battle once his powers fully awaken. Shadow encounters Maria and Gerald Robotnik, pulled from a time before their deaths, and wonders if he can avert their fates. As Shadow's powers grow, the Black Moon begins mutating. Gerald explains that because they are linked by blood, Black Doom and the Black Moon are growing more powerful as Shadow's powers develop; he deduces that Black Doom plans to control Shadow or use him as a new body once his powers fully manifest. Shadow and Sonic cross paths, with Sonic taking Shadow's Chaos Emerald after a battle. Shadow reveals to Rouge that Sonic took the fake emerald and that he still has the real one. Shadow becomes corrupted by his powers, but perseveres with Maria's encouragement. The Black Moon fully mutates, and Black Doom demands that Shadow face him. Shadow enters the Black Moon to confront Black Doom, who transforms into Devil Doom and later Neo Devil Doom; Shadow manages to kill him and destroy the Black Moon, losing his powers in the process. As Shadow returns to Gerald and Maria, the loss of Black Doom's power causes them to begin fading back to their time. Shadow is reluctant to leave them to their fates, but Maria encourages him to let them go and move on. Shadow leaves with Rouge to swap his Chaos Emerald with the fake one before Sonic and Classic Sonic confront the Time Eater.

Development

''Shadow Generations'' is part of "Fearless: Year of Shadow", a 2024 ''

'' marketing campaign centering around Shadow the Hedgehog to commemorate both the release of the game and of the film ''

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a 1994 platform game developed by Sega Technical Institute and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis. Like previous ''Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic'' games, players traverse side-scrolling levels while collecting Rings (Sonic the Hedgehog), ri ...

'', in which Shadow is prominently featured. Katsuyuki Shigihara, one of ''Sonic Generations''' designers, directed ''Shadow Generations''; other

members who worked on ''Generations'' contributed. ''Sonic'' series producer Takashi Iizuka said that, as in ''Sonic Generations'', Sonic Team chose to revisit levels from past ''Sonic'' games to recall Shadow's history. They chose levels they found the most interesting and the most popular among fans, while integrating ''Sonic Frontiers''' open-world gameplay to add modern elements.

Music

Jun Senoue served as the sound director for ''Shadow Generations'', having previously done so for the original ''Sonic Generations''. Senoue worked alongside a team of internal Sega staff including Kenichi Tokoi, Yuzuru Jinma and Hiro, and external contributors such as TeddyLoid, TORIENA, Audissi Studios, Circuit Freq,

The Qemists The Qemists are an English electronic rock group, hailing from Brighton, Sussex. They are signed to Amazing Record Co., an indie record label based in the UK. The band have a separate deal with Beat Records for distribution in Japan and with ...

and RichaadEB. Additionally, bands in which Senoue is a member—Sonic Adventure Music Experience and

Crush 40 Crush 40 is a Japanese-American hard rock band. The group consists of guitarist and composer Jun Senoue and principal vocalist Johnny Gioeli. Crush 40 is best known for producing most soundtracks for the Sonic The Hedgehog series in the 2000s. ...

—contributed to the musical score. The soundtrack album, titled "Perfect , Reflections - Sonic X Shadow Generations Original Soundtrack", was released on December 25, 2024. The soundtrack also includes the score for the animated prologue ''Sonic X Shadow Generations: Dark Beginnings'', along with an original song written for the animation, "Without You", performed by Casey Lee Williams.

Release

announced ''Shadow Generations'' alongside a remaster of ''Sonic Generations'' on January 31, 2024, as a bundle dubbed ''Sonic X Shadow Generations'', during one of

PlayStation is a video gaming brand owned and produced by Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), a division of Japanese conglomerate Sony. Its flagship products consists of a series of home video game consoles produced under the brand; it also consists ...

's State of Play livestreams. The collection was released for the

, and

on October 25, 2024. ''

Video Games Chronicle ''Video Games Chronicle'' (''VGC'' is a British entertainment website covering video games published independently by 1981 Media. Led by editor-in-chief Andy Robinson, the team consists largely of former ''Computer and Video Games'' staff. Lau ...

'' compared this to

Nintendo is a Japanese Multinational corporation, multinational video game company headquartered in Kyoto. It develops, publishes, and releases both video games and video game consoles. The history of Nintendo began when craftsman Fusajiro Yamauchi ...

bundling the ''

Super Mario (also known as and is a platform game series created by Nintendo starring their mascot, Mario. It is the central series of the greater Mario (franchise), ''Mario'' franchise. At least one ''Super Mario'' game has been released for every ma ...

'' game '' Bowser's Fury'' (2021) alongside a rerelease of '' Super Mario 3D World'' (2013). An additional level based on scenes from the film ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3'' was released as DLC on December 12, a week before the film's release. During the level, Shadow's appearance changes to resemble his appearance in the film;

Keanu Reeves Keanu Charles Reeves ( ; born September 2, 1964) is a Canadian actor and musician. The recipient of numerous accolades in a career on screen spanning four decades, he is known for his leading roles in action films, his amiable public imag ...

, who voices Shadow in the film, reprised his role for the DLC. A

version was released on June 5, 2025, the console's launch date.

Marketing

Those who pre-ordered the physical game received a booklet containing the pages from Gerald's journal and a reversible cover art based on the Japanese cover. A digital deluxe edition includes the Terios skin; additional in-game music tracks; a digital art book and soundtrack containing a selection of tracks from other ''Sonic'' games; and the ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3'' DLC. A three-episode animated prologue miniseries, ''Sonic X Shadow Generations: Dark Beginnings'', animated by Studio Giggex and SIMAGE animation, and written by

Ian Flynn James Ian Flynn (born May 31, 1982), also known by his Internet pen name Ian Potto, is an American-Canadian comic book writer. He was chief writer for Archie Comics's ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' since issue #160, after the departure of the previous chi ...

, was released between September 25 and October 10, 2024. An extended version of the prologue containing the original animatic and deleted scenes is available as free DLC for the PlayStation versions of the game. Sega collaborated with Limited Run Games to produce a collector's edition including the soundtrack, an art book, a keychain with Sonic and Shadow's shoes, Chao figurines, a statue of Sonic and Shadow standing on a

Dreamcast The is the final home video game console manufactured by Sega. It was released in Japan on November 27, 1998, in North America on September 9, 1999 and in Europe on October 14, 1999. It was the first sixth-generation video game console, prec ...

, a SteelBook case, and a mock Dreamcast

jewel case Optical disc packaging is the packaging that accompanies CDs, DVDs, and other formats of optical discs. Most packaging is rigid or semi-rigid and designed to protect the media from scratches and other types of exposure damage. Jewel case A ...

. The collector's edition was available for order between August 19 and October 6, 2024, and is scheduled to ship in July 2025.

Sales

''Sonic X Shadow Generations'' sold one million copies by October 25, 2024, the day of its wide release; players could access the game up to three days early by purchasing the digital deluxe edition on any platform except the Nintendo Switch. On November 22, 2024, Sega announced that worldwide sales had surpassed 1.5 million copies, and by January 24, 2025, the game had sold over 2 million copies.

Reception

According to

Metacritic Metacritic is an American website that aggregates reviews of films, television shows, music albums, video games, and formerly books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created ...

, the ''Sonic X Shadow Generations'' bundle received "generally favorable" reviews from critics. According to

OpenCritic OpenCritic is a review aggregation website for video games. OpenCritic lists reviews from critics across multiple video game publications for the games listed on the site. The website then generates a numeric score by averaging all of the numeri ...

, 84% of critics recommended it. ''

IGN ''IGN'' is an American video gaming and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa district and is headed by its former e ...

'' wrote that "This bulked-up remaster soars far and above previous enhanced versions we've gotten in the ''Sonic'' franchise, and hopefully will be the gold standard Sega holds itself to when it decides to bring back other ''Sonic'' games from the past." The game also received praise from fans, and was nominated for the first round of the Players' Voice award at The Game Awards 2024.

Notes

References

{{Sonic Team 2024 video games 3D platformers Nintendo Switch games Nintendo Switch 2 games Open-world video games PlayStation 4 games PlayStation 5 games Sega video games Single-player video games Sonic Team games Sonic the Hedgehog video games Video game remasters Video games about time travel Video games developed in Japan Video games scored by Jun Senoue Video games set in Tokyo Windows games Xbox One games Xbox One X enhanced games Xbox Series X and Series S games