After years of his franchise remaining largely dormant, Sonic the Hedgehog appears to be in the midst of a full-blown renaissance. Surprise announcement of. Sonic X Shadow Model During Sony's State of Play event in January 2024, this means fans will get a third new entry. Sonic Games from the past several years This is a far cry from the 5 year gap. Sonic Mania and Sonic Frontiers– But while the year 2022 Sonic Frontiers Bringing new ideas to 3D Sonic Template and year 2023 Sonic Superstar Brings players back to a game reminiscent of the characters' classic adventures that don't set the world on fire, leaving players wondering where. Sonic It will go with the new name having “Blue Blur”.
Even though it might not reach the heights of the greatest game in the franchise. Sonic X Shadow Model It's an homage to all of Sonic's past eras, and for the most part, it checks off all the boxes that players want from. Sonic game. model It creates an interesting contrast between the two competing halves. By pulling elements from all over Sonic A franchise that will give you an experience that feels like it is. Cherry-picked “greatest hits” SonicIts nearly 35-year history, though, has not been without its occasional minor annoyances. Sonic X Shadow Model Perhaps the greatest entry of the three modern eras. Sonic A must-play game and treat for fans of the franchise.
Sonic
Booting up Sonic X Shadow Model It presents players with a choice between two different halves of the game. Sonic Generations and shadow model– Even though the two games are separate. But both games also have stories about time travel, which serves as both a plot device and a testament to why both Sonic and Shadow the Hedgehog travel through the “Hall of Fame” of levels from across. Sonic Franchise, players can choose half of the package to start and jump freely. Sonic to shadow model With just a few button presses For what it's worth, that is. Sonic Generations Half of them work well to set up larger plot elements, which helps. shadowThe story makes more sense.
selection Sonic half of model Players are greeted with a scene where Sonic and his friends from across the franchise are celebrating their character's birthday. Of course, the celebration is short-lived as a new villain called “The Time Eater” shows up and takes Sonic and his friends. his to worldly disorder In this timeless void, Sonic can reach many locations. Sonic Game, with each zone divided into two acts. But it is different from the traditional one. Sonic Each Act setting is based on a specific era. Sonic the Hedgehog Gameplay Stage 1 is a classic style side-scrolling level. While each second level will be a fully 3D level similar to what players experienced in sonic adventure Games (including iconic levels from both Dreamcast classics)
Connecting these levels is a stark white hub world where Sonic regains life and color by passing through the zones and rescuing his friends. The hub is set up the same as traditional 2D. Sonic Levels with loops and dashboards And players can open it up even more by defeating well-designed boss battles. To unlock the door for each boss. Players must complete challenge gates for each zone that allows players to complete specific objectives.
between various collections available in each zone (3 Hidden Lords in each Act and 5 Red Star Rings) and the ability to chase higher ranks in both Acts and Challenge Gates. There's a lot more to discover than just waiting for bosses. and clear the main story Passing any checkpoint Successfully achieving a high rank will earn the player points. which they can spend in the new skill shop to unlock useful abilities in the game. Sonic has 5 different kits that he can customize, rename, equip, and even specify for Act 1 or Act 2. 2 allows for a great deal of flexibility in how players approach different levels. Sonic half of model.
at shadow half of model The same basic framework is followed in practice. With only a few notable exceptions. There are fewer zones in shadow part of modelBut each section (excluding the final zone) is still divided into two acts. However, these actions revolutionize the procedural design in Sonic half to make Act 1 more reminiscent of sonic adventure And Act 2 has a more side-scrolling perspective.
far away, shadowThe hub area of the front page Sonic Frontiers and provide an open playground for players to explore. It is still necessary to complete Challenge Gates and obtain Boss Keys to open up a wider world for exploration. Instead, it does so by gaining new abilities that recontextualize how Shadow moves through the main hub areas. It was surprising to see a Sonic The game incorporates Metroidvania elements, such as limiting abilities. But it works to make the action simple. Going from one level to the next is more exciting than ever before. It also opens up access to hidden collectibles and new challenges.
Each zone in both halves of Sonic X Shadow Model It's an iconic place from all over. Sonic the Hedgehog And it's beautifully recreated here using 3D imagery that dynamically switches between 2D and 3D perspective planes. It's never easy to revisit these past locations that have been reimagined from their original form. Even the classics Green Hill and Chemical Plant Zones from Sonic 2 Offering a new kind of thrill for even the most seasoned of players. Sonic fan.
And it probably isn't. Sonic A game that doesn't have the sense of enormous speed that Sonic X Shadow Model Dutifully deliver both halves of the experience. As already mentioned There are times in the side-scrolling scenes that have a more classic style. The sense of speed was so overwhelming that it was normal for the camera to not see Sonic. and result in unjust deaths or off-screen collisions and losses. The ring, after all, has a sense of speed and speed built into it. shadow The stages serve as a reminder that few studios understand how to create lightning-fast arcade-style excitement the way Sega does.
The controls and physics are a letdown for Sonic X Shadow Generations' thrill ride.
both halves of Sonic X Shadow Model full of peaks Sonic Playing style But that means they'll have to experience the same petty frustrations that have plagued the series for years. For a franchise built on speed and momentum vs. precision platforming It is a shame to report this. Sonic X Shadow Model There's physics floating around. And there are some minor control issues that hinder a great experience. The biggest culprit in this regard is the rather clunky target detection. This results in a small number of unfair deaths when trying to jump from one lock to another at very fast speeds.
The same grip applies to boss fights as well. Half of both Sonic and Shadow. model It features a great boss fight that might be the best in the series. But clunky attack detection and floating physics often result in these encounters boiling down to trial and error. In these cases What should feel like victory over a fun and challenging boss fight? Instead, it gives you a feeling of relief that you don't have to try any longer. Consider the need to complete the really difficult Challenge Gates to attempt the boss fight. And it's clear that further refinements to Sonic and Shadow's movement and control would go a long way in smoothing out some of their weak points. pointing to the highest point Sonic game.
Sonic
There is a slight clamping mechanism on the side. Sonic X Shadow Model It offers one of the best value deals of any major AAA release in 2024, with two full games in one package. There are hundreds of collectibles to find and optional Challenge Gates to earn outside of what's needed to get the required Boss Keys, S-Ranks to hunt down in each level and Challenge Gates, and additional secrets and activities to keep players busy in the world. Both games center long after the main story credits, and each level is also so well designed and fun that it deserves more play and replay than is required to beat each half of the game.
After completing both halves
Sonic X Shadow Model
My total playtime clocked in at 19 hours according to the tracker. The PlayStation 5's “hours of play,” and that's a fair amount of time spent trying to hunt down collectibles and S-Ranks in some of my favorite levels.
shadow
half of
model
somewhat shorter
Sonic
half and takes approximately 8 hours to complete with
Sonic
The first half takes a bit more time with more stages and bosses to challenge. Including a great surprise boss needed to collect all the Chaos Emeralds.
Sega could have easily released each half. Sonic X Shadow Model It's its own standalone title. But both experiences are combined into one product, making it easy. Sonic For fans, a first playthrough will take around 15-20 hours, and that's not even taking into account the potential tens of additional hours required to get all the collectibles and reach the top ranks in each level, challenge gate, and battle. with boss
of last year Sonic Superstar Unfortunately it was released the same week as Super Mario WonderThe franchise's latest entry is quickly eclipsed by its oldest competitor. Sonic X Shadow Model There was a similarly unfavorable position in the release after the Asobi team. AstrobotIt raises the question of how the two biggest platform players of the year will compete against each other. Even in the post-Astrobot word, Sonic X Shadow Model It serves as a great reminder of how untouchable Sonic and Sega were when they were firing on all cylinders. And the treasure trove of great content and presentation makes it an easy recommendation. It was not a flawless experience, though.
- Released
- October 25, 2024
- engine
- hedgehog engine 2
- SSSS
- E10+ for everyone 10 years and older due to fantasy violence.
- Draws on the best parts from the Sonic franchise
- Two full games with lots of content to dive into.
- Exciting, high-speed platform with top-notch presentation.
- Trial-and-error boss battles
- Sporadic cameras and floating physics result in cheap deaths.
