Ranking Every Sonic X Shadow Generations Stage

[@dav2342]

My son with polio would have loved this version of Sonic Generations, in the days before his passing he always mentioned how bad he wanted to play as Shadow the Hedgehog in the game, if only he were alive today to play this remaster.

[@ZachTheInsomniac]

So sad.. can this video hit 20 decillion likes..?

[@numb4102]

@@ZachTheInsomniac 😭😭

[@blaizefire4903]

@@dav2342 I’m sorry for ur loss he would’ve loved this game

[@just_the_g.o.a.t189]

Im sorry for your loss, im sure this dame would've been a top 1 game for him

[@0n1c420]

@@ZachTheInsomniac what happened to shame?

[@waitasecond6915]

Chaos island act 1 and kingdom valley act 1 are just fire stages

[@rakanaljanobi1842]

I don't think a sonic stage has ever made me feel "holy shit this goes so hard" more than Kingdom Valley act 1, the flow is simply sublime for me, the visuals are stunning, the speed is incredible and every little section in it hits so beautifully. I'm one of the few sonic 06 enjoyers in the world (God project 06 cannot come any sooner) and Kingdom valley act 1 scratches that itch perfectly.

[@kaosagamerreal]

im honestly surprised you didnt go in depth on why radical highway act 1 and 2 are so high up they're surprisingly complex stages with a huge difficulty curve

[@mayday2237]

The wine cellar WAS in unleashed if I remember right, in one of the werehog levels

[@ZachTheInsomniac]

OOOOH yea it totally was, just good to see it during the daytime during proper sonic gameplay

[@kota.3218]

@@mayday2237 underground there were a night exploring hub with a daytime level in spagonia

[@Mesmua]

I’m so freaking happy with how they did Sunset Heights in Shadow Gens… makes the burn from playing and beating Forces in a day sting a bit less LOL

[@ShadowKrueger]

Chaos Island Act one deserves the top spot for its music alone. That piano and bass go hard AF.

[@ZachTheInsomniac]

I hated it at first, but tbh it’s grown on me like a motherfucker

[@lcthepianta]

Space Colony Ark Act 1 had me TWEAKING I actually got to try this out last night and I loved it. Like best modern game since the OG generations, and best Sonic game since Mania. As someone who didn’t really mess with Frontiers that deeply, I was really happy to see this game being so damn good. We are truly back.

[@pkminpkmon]

21:10 I completely agree about Doom Morph, even though it took me till the actual end of the game to realise it’s not momentum based, once I understood it, it’s SO fun to master.

[@MSCDonkeyKong]

I liked Rail Canyon act 1 a lot more when I went for the alternate routes. The faster routes in the stage generally made it so there was really only two, three sections where I wasn't doing anything, and they improved it a lot since I had more to do and look out for. It also has some of my favorite implementation of Chaos Control in the game. The part with the two trains and the Chaos Control warp added a lot to the stage for me. It also skips a lot of time you'd normally be spending on the rails.

[@sonicrunn3r895]

Love the list, and I wanna give some takes based on this: I'm gonna play devil's advocate here and say I think your placement of modern planet wisp is justified. It has my personal favourite visual storytelling in the game with the progression from nature to pollution to factory. It's a great stage to look at, even if not exactly playing it. Personally though I think Rail Canyon Act 1 is really fun though, with grinding focused stages I've always seen them as roller coaster rides, just sit back and enjoy the mile high flashiness. I get why it's lower down but it's brainless fun in a cool way to me. I totally feel you on the Sunset Heights critiques, they're amazing levels and so much fun, they use the Death Egg robots in the level design so perfectly, and I honestly love that the few setpieces of Forces' Sunset Heights made it in too, just expanded. It's really just tragically ending too early that does it in. And finally to say, I love how Space Colony Ark Act 1 is that surprisingly long, I've joked that if it was in Forces, the QTE would be where the level ends, but it just keeps going after it. It's an incredible opening level.

[@ZachTheInsomniac]

@@sonicrunn3r895 I absolutely agree with the visual storytelling, it’s amazing, although I do wish there was a smoother transition between nature to factory. Rail canyon has actually grown on me quite a bit since then, it’s pretty good

[@mawdewile]

2:17 Full heartedly agree

[@Cashew1405]

CHAOS ISLAND ACT 1 SWEEP! I can't stop running the level, my time is already down to 1:39!

[@JustAPaperface]

8:15 I actually REALLY love the 2d section, changing boost stomp together you can get through the 2d section in like 30 seconds

[@hvze_muzik]

I was initially a little bummed when the nostalgic Shadow levels ended with Kingdom Valley… but Chaos Island was so damn good. It also reminded me how much I loved the tone and music of Sonic Frontiers

[@DpleDualies]

To be fair, Shadow HAS been to Sunset Heights (even if canonically, he hasn't been there as of Shadow Generations)

[@daggy5505]

when i started the game I saw the discourse regarding chaos island act 1 and first time I played it I was like ok not bad. Since then I've played it another 50 times and listen to the remixed theme now too and fully understand why its loved, easily my favorite stage in the game as well. Its the most rewarding one as more practice really does shave down your runtime.

[@DPlex]

pretty decent ranking, I especially agree with Modern Planet Wisp not being as bad as it's made out to be lol

[@_SSCJ]

@@DPlex same. When I played it over again, I thought it was ok but not terrible or anything like that. Now CLASSIC PLANET WISP IS A DIFFERENT STORY

[@FK74396]

I’m so glad this was such a good game cause it’s my dorm mate’s first Sonic game and he loves it! I’m pretty sure he’s replayed modern Crisis City more than I’ve even played the game at this point, so hopefully he’s down to try P-06.

[@ZachTheInsomniac]

@@FK74396 p-06 is awesome!! I need to try more of it, I’ve only got a little under an hour in it atm

[@MrSofly2010]

Chaos island is peak! You barely have to use the morph and when you do it’s generally helpful letting move on walls.

[@tescomealdeal8329]

Radical Highway act 2 is one of my favs due to it having so many little hidden shortcuts I FOUND! I DIDNT WATCH A KZbin VIDEO! Like the very start of the stage? the dive? hold forward, theres a string of G.U.N Beetles that skip a solid 20 or so seconds. its fun! hitting them all in 1 run is just satisfying.

[@KOTSOSMC2002]

Did you forget about Space Colony ARK Act 2 or did I miss it lol

[@ZachTheInsomniac]

No I forgot lol

[@KOTSOSMC2002]

@ZachTheInsomniac Give us some closure ZAch, whAt would it be?! I bet you'd rAnk it with an A.

[@ZachTheInsomniac]

@@KOTSOSMC2002 put my ranking under a different reply, but it's right under Sunset Heights Act 2, really good stage

[@THECyberStriker]

Bro this guy gets it too when I was making my “Sonic Generations 2” list I also had metropolitan highway 🔥

[@HunterForHire422]

Sky sanctuary act 2 caught me so off guard in this remaster. As a kid i never liked it. But finally learning the routes holy shit its easily my favorite to speed run for sonic. Also chaos island act 1 is my favorite shadow stage too lmao. Doom morph is awesome

[@best_mate456]

My god that was a great ranking, I love it. Those reasoning you gave to each act are exactly what I need to hear why is in that place And I’m with U that chaos island act 1 is the best. Is just first time playing is tough but replays that’s most important it gets insane. I have seen so many speed runs which tells me that it is the best stage ever made

[@aleblasco39]

It's funny how my two favorite stages from this games...are the ones that are from Sonic 06. My first time playing Generations I remember really hating Crisis City for some elements of the level but this time, I loved Crisis City, specially the modern stage as I really didn't mind much the 2D section as you can make through it pretty fast if you know where to go, also the music in Crisis City is top notch. But, what really surprised me was Kingdom Valley, specially Act 1. I love how open for a modern 3D Sonic stage it is and how many different routes are there and how varied it is, the final section has a pretty good visual and it's also exciting to make it through.

[@_SSCJ]

Here’s my fav for each: Classic Sonic: City Escape Modern: Speed Highway 3D Shadow: Chaos Island or Kingdom Valley (THEY ARE TOO CLOSE) 2D: Kingdom Valley Each of these levels are incredible in level design, music(YES EVEN CHAOS ACT 1 THATS ONE OF MY FAV THEMES), aesthetic, etc. These are some of my favorite Sonic levels to date and I had so much fun playing them.

[@jefftehspider]

I genuinely despise that one mission in planet wisp as classic sonic you have to catch blaze. Whenever I used the wisp and hit blaze it wouldn’t count so I had to replay that at least 20 times to get an a rank.

[@Kirbyluver2]

i'm not the only one who loved chaos act 1 that shit was a banger

[@peckneck2439]

Unironically, Rail Canyon was probably the WORST possible pick from the Heroes Stages. There are SO many interesting and unique concepts from Sonic Heroes stages and Sonic Team literally chose the most boring one... TWICE. Because let's be honest here, it's not like Seaside Hill is in any way groundbreaking. I said it once and i'll say it again. Sonic Generations should've used Grand Metropolis and Shadow Generations should've used Mystic Mansion/ Hang Castle.

[@superiorgamedude]

I have nothing but respect for a fellow Chaos Island Act 1 enjoyer.

[@georgejonesthestarseeds77]

Don't forget the Movie level based of a location in the new Sonic 3 movie will be coming soon. I've also heard this game apparently is getting DLC, I don't know how true it is but we'll have to see

[@betlergaen5757]

Nice to see someone that also have chaos island act 1 as their favourite level

[@stormtalksgames]

Chaos Island Act 1 is PEAK FICTION!

[@Lanoman123]

12:40 now I’m biased… (as someone could probably tell peeking at my channel lmfao) about this stage. I think Sunset Heights Act 1 is genuinely the best stage in both Gens games, you were talking about flow state the whole time? Well… this stage *masters* it completely. So SO much time to be saved using Chaos Control, chaining correctly is SO satisfying, and the Radical Highway segment is pretty memorable in this stage to me, overall it’s just got great visuals, gimmicks, and music, and it absolutely uses Chaos Control to it’s fullest when you know what you’re doing. Highly recommend looking up a speedrun for it because it’s relatively easy to jump in to and so fun to master

[@ssbuterbal]

good video, well paced, good comedy, good editing, good script. very good 👍

[@Miju001]

I owe you deeply for putting Rail Canyon Act 1 at the bottom and Chaos Island Act 1 at the top of Shadow Generations stages. Doom Morph is fun!

[@HaydenPrometheus45]

Tbh, I agree with Chaos Island. It was the one I was constantly replaying since the game released.

[@MMR_LM]

Massive agree on Chaos Island act 1, I fucking love that stage to no end

[@MrSofly2010]

Just replayed Modern Planet Wisp. Still a nightmare.

[@ZachTheInsomniac]

@@MrSofly2010 it’s like a nightmare but not the ones where you get chased by a killer moreso the ones where you stub your toe

[@abicrystalwing1543]

I unironically started to find it fun trying to speed run since I was trying to S-rank the time trial mission. Still a shit level though

[@Kryors]

My favorite stage out of the whole game has to Space colony ark. I love its music and I love the outer space aesthetic. My favorite boss fight is Mephiles. Keep in mind that I am a newer Sonic fan and have never played Sonic 06

[@liampemberton9320]

It’s nice to see another chemical plant act 2 truther

[@BladeBlur]

Chaos Island Act 1 was better than the entirety of Frontiers.

[@LeafyLeafers]

you’re kinda like bicuribox but younger 😭🙏

[@ZachTheInsomniac]

@@LeafyLeafers I'll take it LOL, love that dude, his style probably rubbed off on me especially for a vid like this

[@LeafyLeafers]

@ yeah bro, this video gave off those vibes HEAVILY and I love it!

[@DSmith3279]

As a Forces fanboy, Sunset Heights being given so much love in this game made my heart soar 🤩

[@SSF124Animates]

I'm not judging or anything, this is just a legitimate question since I've heard so many other people clown on it constantly (and I find it ok in my opinion), but what appeals about Sonic Forces?

[@Terrance_the_ugandan_knuckles]

i LOVE chaos island act 1 it feels so redeeming for frontiers

[@Kirbyluver2]

the opening of planet wisp is what made it so bad to me. i was REALLY enjoying the level and the visuals and music and then... halt. then you get slow boring platforming that does not flow with the music, and the visuals become much more boring to look at it. NINE MINUTES it took me on my recent playthrough to beat this stage. I have 0 desire or intention to go back to get the coins, S rank, or anything. it was an exhausting experience in an otherwise fun game. I wasn't a huge fan of any of the classic stages, but that planet wisp modern and classic to end the game, really ends the original gens on a terrible note.

[@ZachTheInsomniac]

@@Kirbyluver2 planet wisp modern really only gets better on repeat playthroughs, because it’s just a horrible first impression for that stage and completely messes with your predetermined expectations

[@KKTunez]

didn't know I needed this video tonight. my guts busted dawg

[@ItsNobodyTv]

You accidentally said “seaside hill act 2”2:24

[@iseethesea]

I was so glad to hear the modern Planet Wisp stage wasn't in the lowest possible tier - while I hated it at first, playing and improving at the stage over the course of a decade gradually made it my favourite stage of the whole game. Classic Planet Wisp? No, absolutely not, I hate that stage, it deserves to be where you put it, couldn't agree more.

[@Hugo-yz1vb]

That thumbnail almost made me think I was clicking on a bickburibox12 video

[@theguy8614]

3:18 I feel the same way about the wisps in gens and although i haven't played the 3ds games i feel like the choice of burst and laser in that game were much better than spike and rocket in the console version Also I completely agree with Chaos Island Act 1 being the best level in the game, and as Frontiers' biggest hater that's really saying something

[@sap9255]

15:24 i personally like mania chemical plant more but it probably just comes down to preference

[@Lanoman123]

From peak to peak*

[@IKIGAIofficial]

Sunset heights is the best boost stage they made since rooftop run 2008

[@thevalkyriemercenary9463]

Rail Canyon Act 2 reminds me of Altitude Limit from Sonic Rush

[@MSCDonkeyKong]

Chaos Island is the one part of the game where I had REALLY wanted to see a good set piece. Specifically, bring in either Knight for a chase section (similar to the one in Frontiers), or have a guardian like Fortress or Squid show up. I kinda went in with high hopes. ...Heck why didn't Squid show up when you LITERALLY turn into a squid? EDIT: And for the record, that's ALSO my only complaint with the stage. I also liked the Doom Morph in 3D.

[@jajathenewking6131]

I will never agree with planet wisp act 2 no matter how good I get it's not fun but I will agree that Chaos Island is actually fun when you actually understand how doom morph works.

[@pixelpulse11111]

Fair list but I personally don't mind amy of the levels. This is game is just so good. Started a series myself and im enjoying every moment. Great vid btw

[@indominusrex5510]

0:54 Well, I think I'm gonna nice to you.

[@olavotestoni5653]

0:19 sonic GT?

[@Prince-Darwin]

Very agreeable list. Although i think classic crisis city should be higher

[@Kriseiri]

love those wacky little hedgehogs

[@gazakana]

I understand why the people don't like doom morph, since act 1 sometimes requieres from you understanding of the mechanich that the game didn't actually teach to you and the act 2 pretty much use it in a very tame, sauceless way But once you understand that you can grapple onto things in three different ways, you get why the level is absolute peak, it would be for me the best level of the whole game if it managed to find a clever way to teach you the three uses of the morph without a hint text, but as it is now, still is easily a top 5 for me

[@shinyevoli9899]

11:50 agreed.

[@dpw0499]

W number 1 pick. it has the open sky sanctuary vibes + doom morph so easily the best

[@Chaos-X-editz]

The one thing that shadow gens made me despise about sonic gens is that every single act one has 2D in them and it pisses me off the stages could've been so much more unique if they had completely cut the 2D out but basically half of the modern levels are 2D and it annoys me because of the hidden potential that shadow gens showed us with full 3D levels

[@justinc.5591]

Yeah, there was no reason to have 2D in the modern stages when you already had Classic Sonic who was fully 2D.

[@Chaos_Vergil]

A few things: 1. For OG Sonic Generations, I would keep most of the levels that are represented except for Seaside Hill and Planet Wisp. I think Seaside Hill should've been replaced with Hang Castle/Mystic Mansion. For Planet Wisp, I would either go with Aquarium Park and give Classic Sonic the Drill Wisp and Modern Sonic the Laser Wisp, or I would go with Asteroid Coaster as a final challenge and Give Classic Sonic the Frenzy Wisp and Modern Sonic the Laser Wisp. 2. Radical Highway is Black Doom's Domain Expansion. Go ahead. Try to deny it.

[@johnathonturner2279]

Eh, I prefer the choice of Planet Wisp for thematic reasons, nevermind that switching it out for another Colors level wouldn't really solve the problem of people hating the wisps. Seaside Hill is too well designed to be replaced.

[@Chaos_Vergil]

@johnathonturner2279 Fair enough, but you get my point about Seaside Hill. I just wish there was a more unique level that was chosen from Sonic Heroes.

[@firehedgehog1446]

I'm gonna have to dock points from you for "Hydrossity"

[@thebig0plonkerdon818]

actually a very very good list

[@peterjacobsen620]

Chaos Island at 1 is an insanely hot take but a respectable one nonetheless

[@Dork_000]

Honestly didn't expect that to be the no1 but im glad chaos island is getting the recognition it deserves🔥🔥🔥

[@qk1050]

I dtill don't understand why Westopolis was not in Shadow Generations 😭😭

[@SelfTitled76]

Dude. I thought I was the only one that thought Seaside Hill Act 1 was the worst stage.

[@RicardoLuciano-q5z]

You know what? I agree with Planet Wisp Act 2. It's not awesome, but once you get through it a few times it's pretty fun.

[@kursedevan]

My favorite was Kingdom Valley 1 or Chemical Plant 2

[@shslmahoushoujo]

Honestly found Seaside Hill being that low entertaining because I most certainly end up disagreeing, it's been one of my favorite water levels for the series for a while now. In fact, looking at my own ratings I made for fun, I put it as my highest ranked classic stage, barely going above City Escape and Rooftop Run. Classic and Modern Planet Wisp are my bottom two, but I actually give the slight edge to classic. Sure, modern has a much better first half and I do think it's more fun as a level, but also... it doesn't FEEL like a final level at all? For all the issues I have with classic Planet Wisp, I prefer the feel of it, going into the depths of the construction site actually feels dangerous, whereas modern is just disappointing as a climactic final stage. Had they gotten vibes closer to the depths of Planet Wisp from the classic version, I'd be way more on board with it, but MAN was it lacking as a final level, and Radical Highway further showcased how much of a miss that was. Personal S-Ranks are Seaside Hill act 2 (still the best Gens has to offer in my eyes), Radical Highway acts 1 and 2, Kingdom Valley act 2, Rooftop Run act 2, Chaos Island act 1, and Sky Sanctuary act 2. All in all, just REALLY solid stages in this whole package.

[@danielgertler5976]

Planet Wisp is the only levels I can't f with.

[@justinmazur8042]

Ok im at 0:41 sec and I predict that almost every classic sonic level is at the bottom with this kind of criteria (which is valid)

[@justinmazur8042]

16:43 damn bro read me like a book 😳

[@KaedogH]

Underrated af

[@ZachTheInsomniac]

Thanks goat, means a lot!!

[@Nister.N]

Imo crisis city act 2 is the best level to speedrun

[@Zeddeckswyy]

Watching this has made me realise just how bad I am at Sonic games 😂

[@jamainegardner4193]

Not how I would rank them, but I'll comment my rankings later (you'll flip your lid)

[@JojokimVT]

Funny how the greatest Sonic level is a Shadow level xD

[@Tylersbeangunner]

Black Doom would've ranked Radical Highway in 1st place

[@FizzleBurger]

Chaos Island is a map with excellent mechanics, but an aesthetic that I absolutely loathe. I'm glad the game lets you swap out the soundtrack (Cosmic Fall fits remarkably well), but the visuals just wear on me: everything's either a muted gray or a loud magenta with so little between.

[@KhaosKontroller]

I would probably put most Shadow Gens levels above most Sonic Gens levels purely cause Shadow Gens controls 100x better. Going back to Sonic Generations felt really weird and sluggish. I have to relearn how to play that game.

[@Blackmore_36]

I may not agree with the full list, but damn it, this is a based asf list

[@luigiRobs14]

I’ve seen enough of Radical Highway after Shadow Generations

[@micahheyward5342]

If you ask me, some of the stages in Shadow's campaign were too long. A stage designed with speed should last 2-5 minutes, at least in my opinion

[@AdamGlynn]

Curious for your opinions on sonic mania as you seem to prefer the modern sonic formula

[@ZachTheInsomniac]

I prefer 3d, however I do love the classic games!! Mania is great, Sonic 2 is one of my favorite sonic games, Sonic superstars was pretty neat despite its clearly low budget

[@s.o.g7960]

Seaside hill is underrated!!!

[@ThePhantom-e8d]

I can go pretty fine with Seaside Hill and such. Hell, I somehow got all collectibles on both sides in Crisis City. But I HATE Planet Wisp. Too many wisp usage and too much of it with the Spike in Classic. You screw up one time, you’re screwed.

[@supersonicstyleatsonicspeed]

I disagree. Chaos Island Act 1 is Top 5 but Kingdom Valley Act 1 is #1.

[@HRIgnomious]

The way Sonic fans talk about Planet Wisp with horror, when the worst stage in Generations is still better than 90% of the stuff in modern Sonic games.

[@ognickname7745]

You forgot Space Colony Ark Act 2, what are your thoughts on it?

[@ZachTheInsomniac]

@@ognickname7745 shit yea, I finished the video and realized “shit I never added it in” but I just kinda gave up and left it out. It’s really good! It’s actually in my google doc I used to rank the stages, and it’s in between Sunset Heights Act 2 and Radical Highway Act 1. It’s a really good stage that does a great job of teasing you with the doom wings, it’s got nice cinematic moments, it’s got fun speedrunning capabilities, its fun to perfectly pull off chaos spear at that one bit so you don’t stop moving at all. It’s good fun!

[@rinoiya]

I was prepared to hate you, but no. Your ranking is pretty cool.

[@Abykitty06]

great video, disagreed with 80% of the placements

[@jeremyince8403]

I didnt liked at all chaos island and rail canyon, but i liked kingdom valley and radical highway

[@koga115]

As cool as Sonic GT is, I couldn't personally say it's better than most Sonic games I've played. Nice rankings though

[@cafequente8252]

I'm quite surprised at how Rail Canyon act 1 is ranked as the worst Shadow stage, given it's my favorite one lmfao Granted that I understand why not everyone would be a fan of it

[@ZachTheInsomniac]

It's grown on me quite a but since then, tbh