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Shadow Generations

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Shadow Generations
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)Takashi Iizuka
Writer(s)Ian Flynn[1]
SeriesSonic the Hedgehog
EngineHedgehog Engine 2
Platform(s)
ReleaseOctober 25, 2024
Genre(s)Platformer
Mode(s)Single-player

Shadow Generations[a] 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.[b] It 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.

Gameplay

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See also: Gameplay of Sonic Generations and Sonic Frontiers

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

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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).

Levels Bosses
Level Original game Boss Original game
Space Colony ARK / Radical Highway Sonic Adventure 2 (2001)[4] Biolizard Sonic Adventure 2 (2001)[4]
Rail Canyon Sonic Heroes (2003)[9] Metal Sonic / Metal Overlord Sonic Heroes (2003)[7]
Kingdom Valley Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)[10]
Sunset Heights Sonic Forces (2017)[11]
Chaos Island Sonic Frontiers (2022)[12]

Development

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Shadow Generations is part of "Fearless: Year of Shadow", a Sonic the Hedgehog marketing campaign centering around Shadow the Hedgehog. 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

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Sega announced Shadow Generations alongside a remaster of Sonic Generations on January 31, 2024, during one of PlayStation's State of Play livestreams.[13] 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.[14] 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] Preorder bonuses include a skin based on an early Shadow design and a booklet detailing Shadow's in-universe creation from the perspective of Gerald Robotnik.[14]

A three-episode animated prologue miniseries, Sonic X Shadow Generations: Dark Beginnings,[15] animated by Studio Giggex and written by Ian Flynn, is set to be released in late 2024.[16]

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.[17]

Notes

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  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

References

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  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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b Bukacek, Jacob (February 1, 2024). "Sega Reveals SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS During PlayStation's State of Play". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c d e 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. ^ a b 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 the Hedgehog (August 20, 2024). SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS - Doom Powers Trailer. Retrieved August 21, 2024 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ Romano, Sal (August 20, 2024). "Sonic X Shadow Generations 'Doom Powers' trailer". Gematsu. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ a b Anderson, Robert (June 9, 2024). "Sonic X Shadow Generations is Up for Preorder". IGN. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  15. ^ Jr, Johnny Flores (May 19, 2024). "Sonic X Shadow Generations Is Getting A Shadow The Hedgehog Prequel Anime". TheGamer. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  16. ^ "Check Out A Preview Of Sonic X Shadow Generations: Dark Beginnings!". Sonic Stadium. July 6, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  17. ^ 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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