PlayStation 5 Critic Reviews

Bringing the best of past Sonic games into the modern gaming world with familiar yet fresh and striking levels.

In the end, Sonic x Shadow generations is a must-have for Sonic fans. Sonic Generations remains one of the best Sonic games of all time, and the addition of Shadow Generations elevates this package to a whole new level. The new mechanics and collectibles in Shadow’s adventure add depth and replay-ability, while the visual upgrades and refined hub world make it clear that SEGA has learned from its past mistakes, especially when compared to Sonic Frontiers. This is a perfect time to hop in and catch up on Shadows story before the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie later this year.

Sonic X Shadow Generations is basically two excellent games in one. Sonic Generations is a remaster of one of the hedgehog's best titles, while Shadow Generations is a new game that builds on the Sonic Frontiers formula to revisit the past of one of the most beloved characters by fans. Shadow's gameplay mechanics are great, the levels are fun and exploring the White Space is great. It's a complete and recommended package.

Sonic X Shadow Generations is the Sonic game we didn't know we needed. It's a must have for Sonic fans.

Even in a post-Astro Bot world, Sonic X Shadow Generations serves as an epic reminder of how untouchable both Sonic and Sega can be when they're firing on all cylinders, and its treasure trove of content and top-notch presentation make it an easy recommendation, regardless of it not being a blemish-free experience.

Back in 2013 I dreamed of the day Sonic Generations got a sequel featuring levels from Sonic’s history that didn’t make it into the final game, and even further back in 2005 I hoped SEGA would give Shadow another chance to shine following a frankly messy spin-off. Sonic X Shadow Generations has turned those hopes and dreams into reality, and I’m ever so thankful for it.

Sonic X Shadow Generations gives Shadow fans everything they could wish for and more in this celebration of the Ultimate Lifeform’s history. The level design established in Generations and Sonic Frontiers has been perfected in the generously sized Shadow Generations storyline, with reimagined stages and boss fights from Shadow’s past appearances alongside heaps of references and tributes you’re bound to love.

Sonic X Shadow Generations takes an already excellent game and spring jumps it to new heights at a blistering pace by doubling up the campaign length with creative level design, fantastic bosses, plenty of collectibles, and an appreciable graphical upgrade. While the brand-new Shadow content isn't necessarily long on its own, it adds a nice change of pace to the collection of all-time great Sonic stages Generations already contained, and there’s an exciting new story that’s filled in as you explore the overworld for collectibles, activities, and challenges. 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.

Whether you're a veteran player of the franchise or not, there's plenty of fun to be had here. The changes mostly improve on the original, and Shadow's campaign is a real blast. That's how we like Sonic, friends of SEGA.

Sonic X Shadow Generations is a must-experience for platform game lovers. It combines the best of both 3D and 2D, bringing back the 2011 classic in a definitive version, and adding Shadow's own campaign, with gameplay that gives it its own personality.