Sonic x Shadow Generations is a feast for franchise fans, and may convert skeptics

It'd be fair to say that Sonic has endured mixed fortunes since he first emerged, and Shadow has arguably fared even worse. Still, after the divisive Sonic Frontiers, SEGA is taking cues from the blue blur's past to help set Shadow on the right track.

And, if my hands-on time at Gamescom 2024 is anything to go by, it's worked out nicely indeed, as Sonic x Shadow Generations brings back one of the best Sonic games and adds an action-packed B-side to it.

My Generation

Let's get Sonic out of the way because in many ways, he's not the star here (even the assets SEGA provided are all focused on Shadow). Sonic Generations launched in 2011, and is still one of my favourite 3D Sonic titles.

It's fast, and features classic side-scrolling levels alongside 3D ones, all of which look absolutely lovely with a new lick of paint in this remaster.

It's just as fun as it's always been, but for once, Shadow takes the lead, starring in his first protagonist role since the 2005 Shadow The Hedgehog title - and I'm pleased to say it's much better than that.

Walk in the Valley of the Shadow of Hedge

Shadow Generations occurs at the same time as the story of Sonic Generations, and sees Shadow chasing down Black Doom.

I played a few levels and came away pretty impressed. The first, set on Space Colony ARK from Sonic Adventure 2, is a dazzling ride complete with grind rails, opponents, and the chance to freeze time to hop across missiles, using them as platforms.

It's a visual tour-de-force that might be one of the strongest openings in the franchise's history since, well, Green Hill Zone. It ends with a battle against Biolizard, a foe that's huge and relatively easy to defeat, but that gives Shadow a chance to dash between the lizard's projectiles in a really cool scene.

Next up, I spent some time in the 2006 Sonic game's Kingdom Valley area, where Shadow battles his way in and out of castles, grinding on rails made of water, riding on the back of a creature to dodge mines, and flying through stained glass windows with the help of an eagle. It's a thrill, and while I wonder how much of it will simply feel like the game is pulling you by the nose across these flashy tracks, I did spot a few secret paths off to the side for completionists.

Sadly, performance dipped a little more here, likely owing to the ambition of Shadow's half of this pack, but here's hoping that'll be ironed out in time.

Final Thoughts

If Sonic Frontiers didn't give you what you needed, then there's every chance Sonic x Shadow Generations could be a great return to form.

With two games included, and both of them being great fun, there's a lot to look forward to from these hedgehogs.

Sonic x Shadow Generations launches on October 25, 2024. For more from Gamescom, check out our preview of Dinolords.