Shadow Generations

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Shadow Generations
Sonic X Shadow Generations cover art.png
The cover art of Sonic X Shadow Generations, in which Shadow Generations is bundled
Developer(s) Sonic Team
Publisher(s) Sega
Director(s) Katsuyuki Shigihara
Producer(s)
Writer(s) Ian Flynn [1]
Series Sonic the Hedgehog
Platform(s)
ReleaseOctober 25, 2024
Genre(s) Platform
Mode(s) Single-player

Shadow Generations [lower-alpha 1] is an upcoming platform game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega. It follows Shadow the Hedgehog (2005) as the second Sonic the Hedgehog game to feature Shadow the Hedgehog as the protagonist. The story, which runs parallel to the events of Sonic Generations (2011), sees Shadow face his archenemy Black Doom. It will not be available as a standalone game, instead being bundled with a remaster of Sonic Generations in Sonic X Shadow Generations, [lower-alpha 2] which is set to be released on October 25, 2024 for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows.

Contents

Gameplay

Shadow Generations is a platform game that shifts between side-scrolling and 3D gameplay. Being included in Sonic X Shadow Generations, players can switch between Shadow Generations and a remaster of Sonic Generations (2011) at will. The events of Shadow Generations take place alongside those of Sonic Generations. [2] The plot follows Shadow the Hedgehog as he faces his archenemy, the alien Black Doom, who has returned following his defeat in Shadow the Hedgehog (2005) and plots to take over the world. [3]

Shadow serves as the player character and controls similarly to Sonic, but can stop time to freeze objects and access alternate paths. [4] He can also use "Doom Powers", power-up transformations granting him new abilities. These include attacking enemies with spears, launching enemies, transforming into a monster to traverse over terrain, flying, and surfing on water. [5] 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), [6] and players use it to become accustomed to Doom Powers. [7]

Levels

Shadow Generations' levels, like those in Sonic Generations, are drawn from previous Sonic games, such as Sonic Adventure 2 (2001), Sonic Heroes (2003), and Sonic the Hedgehog (2006). [3] [8] The game will also include levels from games released after the original Sonic Generations, such as Sonic Forces (2017) and Sonic Frontiers (2022).

LevelsBosses
LevelOriginal appearanceBossOriginal appearance
Space Colony ARK Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) [4] BiolizardSonic Adventure 2 (2001) [4]
Rail Canyon Sonic Heroes (2003) [9] Metal Overlord Sonic Heroes (2003) [7]
Kingdom Valley Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) [10] Black DoomShadow the Hedgehog (2005) [11]
Sunset Heights Sonic Forces (2017) [12] Mephiles the Dark Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) [13]
Chaos Island Sonic Frontiers (2022) [14]
Tokyo (downloadable content) [15] Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)

Development

Shadow Generations is part of "Fearless: Year of Shadow", a 2024 Sonic the Hedgehog marketing campaign centering around Shadow the Hedgehog to commemorate both the release of the game and of the film Sonic the Hedgehog 3 , in which Shadow is prominently featured. [16] Katsuyuki Shigihara, one of Sonic Generations' designers, directed Shadow Generations; other Sonic Team members who worked on Generations contributed. [6] 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. [6] They chose levels they found the most interesting and the most popular among fans, [2] while integrating Sonic Frontiers' open-world gameplay to add modern elements. [6]

Release

Sega announced Shadow Generations alongside a remaster of Sonic Generations on January 31, 2024, during one of PlayStation's State of Play livestreams. [17] The two are scheduled to be released in Sonic X Shadow Generations for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows on October 25, 2024. [18] Video Games Chronicle compared this to Nintendo bundling the Super Mario game Bowser's Fury (2021) alongside a rerelease of Super Mario 3D World (2013) in Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury. [6] Pre-orders for the physical release of the game will receive a booklet detailing Shadow's in-universe creation from the perspective of Gerald Robotnik. [18] A digital deluxe edition of the game includes a skin based on an early Shadow design, additional in-game music tracks, a digital art book and soundtrack, and the "Movie Pack" downloadable content, which adds an extra level based on the 2024 film Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and a skin for Shadow based on his appearance in the film, featuring the voice of Keanu Reeves reprising his role from the film. The Movie Pack will be released on December 12, one week before the film's release. [18] [15] [19]

A three-episode animated prologue miniseries, Sonic X Shadow Generations: Dark Beginnings, [20] animated by Studio Giggex and written by Ian Flynn, was released between September 25 and October 10, 2024. [21]

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, a steelbook case, and a mock Dreamcast jewel case. The collector's edition is available for order between August 19 and October 6, 2024, and is scheduled to ship in July 2025. [22]

Notes

  1. ↑ Japanese: シャドウ ジェネレーションズ, Hepburn: Shadō Jenerēshonzu
  2. ↑ Japanese: ソニック × シャドウ ジェネレーションズ, Hepburn: Sonikku × Shadō Jenerēshonzu

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References

  1. ↑ "Takashi Iizuka on Sonic Team's Expansion and Shadow's Evolving Motivations - TSS Interview". Sonic Stadium. Nuckles87. June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  2. 1 2 Iizuka, Takashi; Keys, Austin; Lawanson, Akeem (June 8, 2024). Takashi Iizuka Answers Our Burning Sonic x Shadow Generations Questions . Retrieved June 9, 2024– via YouTube.
  3. 1 2 Bukacek, Jacob (February 1, 2024). "Sega Reveals SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS During PlayStation's State of Play". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 Shea, Brian (June 8, 2024). "Sonic x Shadow Generations: It Is Better To Have Lived And Learned". Game Informer . Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  5. ↑ Norman, Jim (August 20, 2024). "New Sonic X Shadow Generations Trailer Showcases Shadow's Doom Powers". Nintendo Life. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Robinson, Andy (June 9, 2024). "'Shadow doesn't need a gun, he is a weapon' - Sonic Team talks Shadow Generations". Video Games Chronicle . Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  7. 1 2 Piedra, Thalia (August 20, 2024). "Sonic x Shadow Generations interview: Shadow the Hedgehog's new Doom Powers detailed". PlayStation Blog . Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  8. ↑ Bevan, Rhiannon (June 8, 2023). "Sonic X Shadow Generations Launching October 25". TheGamer. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  9. ↑ Hagues, Alana (July 18, 2024). "Sonic X Shadow Generations Continues To Show Love For Sonic 06". Nintendo Life . Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  10. ↑ Hagues, Alana (July 30, 2024). "Sonic X Shadow Generations Continues To Show Love For Sonic 06". Nintendo Life . Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Sonic X Shadow Generations". sonicxshadowgenerations.com. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  12. ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog (August 20, 2024). SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS - Doom Powers Trailer . Retrieved August 21, 2024– via YouTube.
  13. ↑ Brian (September 24, 2024). "Sonic x Shadow Generations story trailer". Nintendo Everything. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  14. ↑ Romano, Sal (August 20, 2024). "Sonic X Shadow Generations 'Doom Powers' trailer". Gematsu. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  15. 1 2 "Movie Shadow coming to Sonic X Shadow Generations – PlayStation.Blog". PlayStation.Blog. September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  16. ↑ Shephard, Kenneth (April 9, 2024). "Move Over Luigi, It's The Year Of Shadow The Hedgehog". Kotaku. Archived from the original on June 8, 2024. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  17. ↑ Shea, Brian (November 1, 2011). "Sonic X Shadow Generations Brings The Greatest Hits Package To Modern Consoles". Game Informer . Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  18. 1 2 3 Anderson, Robert (June 9, 2024). "Sonic X Shadow Generations is Up for Preorder". IGN . Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  19. ↑ Stedman, Alex (September 24, 2024). "Keanu Reeves Will Headline an Upcoming Sonic x Shadow Generations DLC". IGN. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  20. ↑ Jr, Johnny Flores (May 19, 2024). "Sonic X Shadow Generations Is Getting A Shadow The Hedgehog Prequel Anime". TheGamer. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Check Out A Preview Of Sonic X Shadow Generations: Dark Beginnings!". Sonic Stadium. July 6, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  22. ↑ Tailby, Stephen (August 19, 2024). "Sonic X Shadow Generations Goes Nostalgia Overload with Dreamcast-Heavy Collector's Edition". Push Square . Retrieved August 22, 2024.
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