Sonic x Shadow Generations Hands-On: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

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[@MicahtheDrumCorpsPseudoboomer]

Unrelated Note: I would love to see a DF Retro episode about Sonic Adventure 1 and 2.

[@ShmeeGrim]

Yes!

[@kristiandodds3847]

Yep

[@MysticMike]

Sonic Generations is one of those game I wanted paid DLC for. I wanted more classic zones added to the game. I thought was a miss opportunity.

[@RJH755]

In an ideal world it would have been great if they fully remastered Sonic Gens on Hedgehog Engine 2 with visuals on par with Shadow Gens and Classic Sonic's physics from Superstars, then they could have added a new era with levels and bosses from the newer games after Sonic Gens (I would have gone with Desert Ruins, Press Garden and Kronos Island, Fang and Giganto) But hey I've been wanting a new Shadow game for ages and Shadow Gens delivers on that promise

[@Zinkolo]

Literally nobody wanted that.

[@Zinkolo]

What ugly?!? As a long time critic of Sonic, this is probably the highest quality release Sega has ever done for a modern Sonic game in a long, long time. literally zero issues on PC from what I've played both on Steam Deck and on my 3060. They actually got the boost gameplay and physics right despite it being different from generations and it plays and looks gorgeously in both titles.

[@WillemvanderPijl]

Sorry but this is highly blown out of proportion. The switch version looks great and is a very stable 30fps. I only noticed on shadows part that the resolution takes a dip when there is a lot happening in rail canyon for example I already completed shadows story on the switch and am almost done with sonics. I am halfway through shadows story on PS5

[@Kingofconsoles54]

The best version is on the ps5 pro!

[@ReGo001]

He’s talking about the duplicate frames being produced on the Switch that leads to the judder …and no. The game doesn’t feel “stable” the frame times are all over the place. It’s playable, but stable? No. This is why you’re see so many people say “good for Switch” when they talk about how it performs. It’s generally on par with “good” Switch ports.

[@SpeedsterBlur]

​@HiN00bs12 If it runs at 120 fps sure, but otherwise it's pc.

[@raymondkelly8451]

It’s really didn’t feel very stable , I played the whole thing on switch , and the bad frametimes really made it not great , it was so much nicer with a good framerate

[@TatankaTaylor]

​@@raymondkelly8451what you said is false. Another channel that can also test framerate drops showed that the Switch version offers generally stable 30 fps performance. The reviewer was even surprised that the game ran that well on the Switch.

[@akalalaimranrp]

I love the original Sonic Generations on PS3 and Xbox 360 on my 3D TV. I even bought the 4k update of the Xbox Series X version for $8. Now, Sonic x Shadow Generations is amazing on PS5 and Switch.

[@Kingofconsoles54]

It plays best on ps5 pro. The gaybox series x runs at 540p15fps

[@PrussianBlu3]

There was an update?

[@michaelmayers3622]

​@@Kingofconsoles54wait dod ot really run like that no way lol

[@victorvargas9330]

4K60fps for $8 and without all the needless censorship. Aside from the PC, best version by far along with Sonic Unleashed on the XSX.

[@DARS_04]

@@michaelmayers3622 he's trolling, he's a goof.

[@TakisEnjoyer]

Only couple of hours on Switch so far, but it works fine. 30 FPS but seems stable to me. Also compared to OG Generations on Xbox 360 the game looks and works much better, I remember it had huge slowdowns on it back in the day.

[@Kingofconsoles54]

Should have bought a ps5 pro. 4k340fps

[@DARS_04]

@@Kingofconsoles54 The game actually runs the shadow part at 4K 30 and 1440p60. so...

[@Graxer]

I agree completely! Playing exclusively in handheld mode the 30FPS seems completely stable to me and it makes me wonder whether there was some day 1 patch that they were missing. It also goes against other performance analyses I have seen. I have it on Steam Deck and Switch and have played more on the Switch (Lite) because it is a much lighter device, still looks amazing and has a consistent (even if lower) framerate. This is true with both Sonic Generations and Shadow Generations. While 60FPS is definitely better, 30FPS is completely serviceable as long as it is able to hold that framerate.

[@MoonSarito]

I was bummed that the Switch version doesn't run at 60fps, but it's still a huge improvement over the PS3/X360 original, the game on the Xbox 360/PS3 ran at Sub-HD (880x720), it was even worse in the case of the Xbox 360 which had low quality cutscenes at 480p due to the file size limits of DVDs, the Switch on the other hand runs everything at 1080p native ( or native 720p on handheld mode ) which is much clearer. The framerate can be 30fps on both but the Xbox 360 and PS3 had very noticeable frame drops in stages like Crisis City where it could drop to up to 20fps while the Switch is all at 30fps locked. I'd say Sega did an excellent job here.

[@Epsilonsama]

The 360 version runs at sub 30fps at 720p. Those Hedgehog Engine games were actually pretty demanding for the consoles of their time and even for modern consoles.

[@MoonSarito]

One thing that I think is worth mentioning is that the FPS boost that the original game had was only for the Xbox Series S/X, not only that but some stages like Chemical Plant had glitches with the FPS boost activated. With the remaster, not only can the Series S/X run at 60fps, but the Xbox One and Xbox One X as well, the XONE S was the console that benefited most from this as it now runs at 1080p instead of the 880x720 of the original version. (the resolution boost to 4K was only for the Xbox One X)

[@viewer6808]

For Sonic's PC part, Hedgehog Engine 1 is locked at 60 FPS, there's no way to change that without messing up the game physics, even using mods to unlock you will get some weird behavior so it's best locked at the engine's hardcoded limit.

[@sleepshouter6569]

You mean it would,require *effort* on Sega's part. A budget on a "remaster" that barely changes anything

[@sleepshouter6569]

Thats why they are game developers. They work on things. But for a game calling itself a remaster the most they did was rerecord cutscenes on the generations portion

[@HyperSuperSonic-i1f]

It normally takes modders to fix Sega's incompetence and lack of effort.

[@tonygilbert3911]

On steam deck it runs like a charm, having a lot of fun. Getting a stable 60 on both generations and shadow. Still.looks gorgeous without the 30 fidelity mode.

[@Phade101]

Thanks for popping in Ollie.

[@LuneNova]

Each time I see or play modern Sonic games makes me think of one particular word: Cylinder. However it’s played feels like you’re the center of the world inside of a cocoon.

[@AceofShadow]

Yeah, Sonic Generations is still on Hedgehog Engine 1. The PC version has Sonic and Shadow Generations as separate exe's and everything. Hell a modder found a leftover Drop Dash in Shadow Generations code, either a Frontiers leftover or something the devs played with and scrapped.

[@jberg5441]

I love the Switch but multiplatform games have been struggling with the hardware, especially in the last 2-3 years.

[@WheeledHamster]

That's why they're mad, no one wants to play their games on their shitty hardware.

[@MicahtheDrumCorpsPseudoboomer]

@@WheeledHamsterScrew the Nintendo Switch, games should be optimized to run at 30fps on the original Xbox.

[@youbetterwatchout4400]

The switch is showing its age against modern consoles. Nintendo needs to release a new version next year

[@Marcorix2010]

The switch has struggled since day 1 it's grossly underpowered using the old Tegra 1 chip was a cheap move by Nintendo to maximise profit on every sale.

[@TomRogers-o8s]

Looking forward to your full video on the game for sure! While the frame rate on Switch feels like a stable 30fps to ME (for both Sonic and Shadow) I'm NOT Digital Foundry! If there's areas Sega can improve upon, these are the guys with the influence to help make it happen. Also, I was a bit disappointed they didn't get base Generations running at 60fps (probably at a lower resolution - but it'd be nice to have the option!) Otherwise, I absolutely LOVE the game!

[@fnsonicrick]

Getting the physical copy for Xbox Series X.

[@Anywaays]

It’s unfortunate how much worse the controls feel when moving from Shadow to Sonic Generations, Shadow Generations is probably the best handling sonic game ever

[@jasonblack2477]

Gen controls are fine lol

[@dylansandoval9841]

Worse? My dude it's the same game from 2011 and ur comparing the new physics from its separate campaign that's updated from frontiers. Complete different games and engines in one package.

[@Devin11246]

@@jasonblack2477it can be hard getting used to for people not too experienced with early boost formula games where he controlled more like a car.

[@hahasamian8010]

I was genuinely expecting someone to say the opposite looking at this footage, Sonic looks exciting while Shadow looks pretty sloggy by comparison

[@jasonblack2477]

@hahasamian8010 both control well bro

[@robarmstrong5404]

I'd like to hear John talk about the technical aspects that went into Arkham Shadow. I'm shocked this is mobile graphics.

[@linkthegunner]

It sucks that they scrapped the Gameboy color port :/

[@Kingofconsoles54]

Good thing the ps5 pro exists! It is the best version!

[@victorvargas9330]

​@@Kingofconsoles54PS5 "Pro" cannot run ultrawide on 3440x1440p120fps. Sonic on PC is best experience.

[@Kingofconsoles54]

​@@victorvargas9330nope. It runs at 4k340fps on ps5 pro.

[@victorvargas9330]

​@@Kingofconsoles54Not even 8K60fps on the PS5 Pro??? That sucks!

[@youbetterwatchout4400]

@@Kingofconsoles54that’s with quality mode, right?

[@Mo-.]

I think Sonic games should just use cloud for Switch, even if they ah e a large player base on Switch, they shouldn’t make their game builds adapted for the Switch, the games should look next generation and the developers have made it clear they want to make next generation games, the Switch not only holds back graphics, but their open world philosophy was also hurt by the Switch in development apparently, they had to split a whole island into three different ones and left pop in due to it

[@lpcamargo]

This may be relevant or not, but Generations on 360 also ran at 30 fps. I think what pulled me towards the Switch version is that portable Generations was very tempting, since it's good for quick bouts and endlessly replayable.

[@mxggo9046]

Sega can't ever get right. I mean the holidays are the same time every year.

[@WhyGuy2387]

How can Generations be the best 3D entry when 90% of the game you play 2D sections? It was arguably the best or second best boost entry but not the best 3D entry considering the lukewarm barebones story and 2D hubworld. Unleashed was by far more ambitious in both regards. Shadow Generations is right now the best 3D boost style entry by far. For once you finally have full 3D levels instead of like 10% in each stage. There's an actual story, neat callbacks to the past and a full 3D hubworld. It's slower but plays so much better. I enjoyed a 3D Sonic title for once again. Something I can't say about any title after unleashed (exclusing generations) which all had kind of cool aspects but also lots of annoyances that sour the experience.

[@victorvargas9330]

@@WhyGuy2387 Shadow Generations feels like a testbed. Looking forward to Adventure 2 remake.

[@victorvargas9330]

@@WhyGuy2387 Or better yet, boost friendly Sonic Heroes remake!

[@l3rvn0]

Sonic Colors is 90% 2D, Sonic Generations is at last 40% 3D

[@hahasamian8010]

From what I understand, Unleashed had a more breakneck speed that invited a lot more unfair trap situations, and a number of parts of the controls were just a little rougher. On top of that, controversial elements like the Werehog gameplay which could potentially severely break your pace if you didn't know how to handle them right. Unleashed is maybe a better game for people that are really dedicated to it, but Gens has more mass appeal, especially with its light story and revisiting of familiar locales.

[@HyperSuperSonic-i1f]

Sonic Unleashed is polarizing and most non-Sonic fans hated Sonic Unleashed. The game has an early quit rate which suggested most gamers (90%) didn't even want to progress far. The controls for Sonic Unleashed are atrocious. 80% of the game is Werehog. The game literally harmed Sonic's reputation

[@liublanka3925]

I haven’t played any of the Sonic games on switch since Sonic mania. It’s 2015 hardware. The thing holds back gaming. Only 1st party ip holds it, but that’s getting not great to this point. I couldn’t live without my oled steam deck. Playing RE3 on duckstation *chefs kiss*

[@Skylancer727]

Play on PC I have noticed some oddities. Like cutscenes for Shadow are in 30fps no matter what you set your frame rate to, but then in the overworld when the camera pans it seems to conflict with the 30fps presentation having a massive amount of stutter.

[@DrLilo]

I still haven't figured out if the Shadow portion of this release is a remake of the game Shadow the Hedgehog (with the gun) or something completely new?

[@yourself1210]

It’s a new game

[@LuneNova]

It’s none of them and all of them.

[@thezx5795]

Now I just need them to port Lost World to next gen

[@silentdebugger]

Shadow Generations on Switch runs at exactly 31.5 FPS, which seems strangely arbitrary

[@syygnis]

I'm a die hard Sonic fan but I'm waiting for a sale, especially already having owned Generations on PC.

[@SAAZERGER.ItActulyHasToBeMyOwn]

there is a possibility that if you install sonic x shadow generations to the ps5 FROM THE PS4 DISC, then play sonic generations on the ps5 while having a frame cap patch deleted or having the Internet disabled on the console, you would get 120fps in sonic generations.

[@XP9724]

Shadow is also 30fps on all last gen consoles including the One X, which is ridiculous.

[@oscarzxn4067]

I'd like to see 60fps on Switch but tbh the only PS360 games I remember to make the jump from 30 were Portal 1, 2 and Darksiders, so is not particularilly common to see that, more so for a sub 720p game that had terrible drops on both consoles like Sonic Generations, so I don't get why it would be so shocking.

[@blaketindle4703]

Is it 60 fps on Xbox One and PS4?

[@2fernandoc1]

Shadow Gens: No (even on PS4 Pro and Xbox One X for some reason) Sonic Gens: Yes (both 1080p 60fps)

[@blaketindle4703]

@@2fernandoc1Thanks

[@hahasamian8010]

It's honestly wild that it took this long for Sonic Generations to get a direct release on PS4 and Xbox One, considering how much it benefits from running on newer hardware. I hope they get on Unleashed soon...!

[@sferris33]

Yep. I’ll wait for it to be on sale and denuvo to be removed and on sale for $10. The EULA makes the game a rental. Not surprised that the Switch is again ridiculous and holds back the game

[@Crismoonster]

Generations on PS360 was a 30fps game

[@alumlovescake]

Game looks no better and there is no upgrade path. So it is practically a £55 DLC

[@cristianovogt5586]

No, it's not. It's a 2 games in 1.

[@alumlovescake]

@@cristianovogt5586 I already own the OG Generations on Steam and they have not done enough to it to make it worthwhile so its just Shadows levels

[@Cade_The_Squirrel]

0:53 Man I could feel the ass clenching then.

[@2fernandoc1]

I just hope that Sega releases a patch for Sonic Generations on Switch to give it a 720p 60fps option since there's plenty of videos showcasing the game running on modded Switches (with NO overclocking) and it runs surprisingly smoothly and hitting 60fps 95%+ of the time, so Sega just needs to release an official patch for it.

[@ReGo001]

So many more physics bugs have been introduced with the new port of generations. My very first impression of the game was hitting the first loop in the intro green hills segment and being thrown off it and having the entire game go out of sync with the level geometry. Lots of weird visual pop in on the PS5 version anytime it loads in to or out of a level as well. You can watch the game build the level geometry and layer in the low to high detail meshes and lighting. This is stuff the load screens should be masking, but this game just spits it all out in front of your eyes. I’ll stick to the PC port for Generations.

[@jenerossitea9247]

i mean even the PC port of Generations has its bugs as well. i booted it up recently and obviously nothing game breaking but it has occasions where you will fling in a direction for no reason or when you try to homing attack something it won't connect.

[@djtomoy]

now there is a half decent sonic game it will be interesting to see how much of an abomination the next one will be, as this is the law of sonic

[@jasonblack2477]

This game is phenomenal lol.

[@playbossthebest936]

I see we've gone a long way since the 2000s 😅

[@cristianovogt5586]

Sonic Frontiers, The Murder of Sonic The Hedgehog, Sonic Dream Team, and now Shadow Generations are here to prove you wrong.

[@Saiyangod41205]

What are you guys doing? Yall are willing to look at a Sonic remaster but not at the new DragonBall game that's selling like crazy? (I love generations btw)

[@cristianovogt5586]

A remaster with a new game to pair.

[@Saiyangod41205]

@cristianovogt5586 A remaster with a new game to pair vs a new game that has sold like crazy and has broken records.

[@rasheedbedri]

Fantastic game. Great review ❤😅

[@tomasin8357]

Remember the Times when nobody cares about all that Stuff ? I mean think about a Golden Eye or a Perfect Dark ! They run with horrible Framerates but nobody cares and they become alltime Classics !

[@MicahtheDrumCorpsPseudoboomer]

On the other hand, Sonic 1, Sonic 2, Sonic 3andKnuckles, Daytona USA, and the arcade version of Ridge Racer all run at 60fps (except for some minor slowdown in the classic Sonic titles), and they too are classics.

[@sleepshouter6569]

You remember the times when game attachment rates on average was just 2 or 3 consoles per game? When gaming appealed to so few people it was considered a nerds-only hobby. Because thats what you are referencing

[@sleepshouter6569]

​@@MicahtheDrumCorpsPseudoboomerAnd those are games people from all generations dont mind playing. Meanwhile its extremely difficult to get anyone to play Goldeneye 007 unless they grew up in that era

[@Mahboishk]

Newsflash: it isn't 1998 anymore

[@deathtrooper2048]

Sega needs to stop relying on nostalgia.

[@Kingofconsoles54]

Microcock needs to stop existing

[@PamonhasDePiracicaba]

Sega gave us Metaphor: ReFantazio, Yakuza: Infinite Wealth and Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance. They’re definitely not just “relying on Nostalgia”.

[@Silver01Son]

along with everyone else

[@androwaydie4081]

@@PamonhasDePiracicabaMost of these are 2000s titles.

[@WheeledHamster]

Tell Nintendo that, that's basically their whole shit, a God damn $100 alarm clock that plays Mario jingles.

[@Itsyesfahad]

SEGA needs a new or updated game engine for Sonic games like Astro Bot 2024 all of sonic games looks so boring and they all look the same since 2010 It should look like Astro Bot 2024 fr !

[@cristianovogt5586]

You say that as if Shadow Gens doesn't look like a actual competent modern game.

[@Itsyesfahad]

@@cristianovogt5586 nah Just like the other 100000 sonic games with 2010 graphics still...

[@LuneNova]

Because it is. It looks boring and similar to those 2010 games, you go one line and that’s it. Where is the fun founding odd upgrades in hided place to make you play time satisfying anymore? All you do is buy DLCs and jump at the right time to get red rings locations to unlock skin color palettes.

[@supercat2087]

8:13 This joke wasn’t funny at all. Game reviewers can never talk about Sonic without mentioning some previous bad game. Just give it a normal review for crying out loud.

[@hahasamian8010]

He was talking about the different engines Sonic games have used, it was on-topic.

[@docmoody85]

There are so many bad Sonic games, so it’s just beneficial for the new game. ^^ And it’s Sonic. Jokes come naturally.

[@HyperSuperSonic-i1f]

Most 3D Sonic games are *HORRIBLE* and thats a fact. Its what anyone outside a Sonic community would say. Its why Shadow Generations and Sonic Generations is so unique. The actual gaming community likes these games. I won't even touch a 3D Sonic that isn't a Generations game

[@cristianovogt5586]

​@HyperSuperSonic-i1f Guess you just have bad taste.

[@cristianovogt5586]

​@@docmoody85 Most of which are 2d.

[@DazzaS83]

If its not 60fps in 4K then DF don't want to know. Particularly Jon who looks down on people that can't afford a PS5 Pro or the top spec PC.

[@ReGo001]

Relax. It’s ok to call out crappy 30fps in 2024. You still have your ign review

[@DazzaS83]

@ReGo001 30fps is not crappy though. Not evrrything needs to be 60fps or even 120fps. Its just idiots doing stupid comparisons to make the feel superior to others. Including you.

[@MicahtheDrumCorpsPseudoboomer]

I argue that Sonic is one of those franchises that needs to run at 60fps. Sonic Adventure 2 Battle on Gamecube feels so much better than Sonic Colors on Wii, for instance. On the other hand, since I stubbornly refuse to play games on anything but a standard definition CRT TV*, I'm perfectly fine with 480i. *Disclaimer: I would love to have a PC CRT monitor so I can play at higher resolutions and/or frame rates, but I don't have one.

[@Kingofconsoles54]

Plays best on ps5 pro!!!!! MEGA L FOR THE GAYBOX SERIES X FANQUEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ps5: 175 million units sold!!! Gaybox series x: 500k units sold 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@TickfordGhia]

Ryan Miller. The biggest malaka from the UK. Take your meds ya MEGA L.

[@lolfunnyguylol]

I can't believe this is the first comment...

[@thenextlevel123]

Kids lol

[@Kingofconsoles54]

​@TickfordGhia you are a salty gaybox fanqueer 😂

[@Kingofconsoles54]

​@@thenextlevel123fanqueers 🤢🤮

[@MarquisDeSang]

The Woke and the ugly