Shadow the Hedgehog (PS2)

Shadow the Hedgehog (Sony Playstation 2)

Sonic’s edgy competition steps up to take on a whole game himself


Shadow the Hedgehog is a great idea for a spin-off in the Sonic series. It makes sense and let’s not forget, despite what the reviews say about the quality, the game itself was a financial success and made money.

Sonic has hit a rough patch in 3D, but there was a time the games were very eagerly awaited and even praised. Sonic Adventure 1 & 2 broke new ground for the franchise and even Sonic Heroes had a lot of merit as a 3D adventure. Shadow the Hedgehog came next, in 2005 for the Nintendo Gamecube, Sony Playstation 2 and Microsoft XBox.

The intent here was very clear; an adult version of Sonic the Hedgehog. More weapons, evil characters, dark stages and chaos. For the most part, I thought the changes here were kind of cool; the extra weapons, different vehicles and even some of the stages were really interesting… Initially.


 


Shadow the Hedgehog, as a game, has a lot of issues. One of the biggest ‘features’ are the branching story paths; choose to be good, neutral or evil. The story will play out differently depending on what you do during the stages; the goals you accomplish.


 

Shadow the Hedgehog Angry


What went wrong with Shadow the Hedgehog?

It’s a cool idea, but the story-lines themselves really start to fall apart throughout the adventure and the worst part for me, accidentally accomplishing the wrong thing. I was playing through the game, trying to be good. But in the final level I broke the wrong thing and suddenly, I had to fight Sonic as the final boss. It was jarring. I backed the little blue guy for the entire game and he turned on because I made one mistake.

My second big issue was the level design. Some stages, like the city stages and the military facility felt cool, they set me up for a ‘little’ excitement… And then the ‘cyber network’ stages crushed my spirit totally. I felt lost, frustrated and after 30 minutes, ready to pack it in. I found my way eventually, maybe I’m just slow, but the level wasn’t fun regardless.


 

Show the Hedgehog Worst stage ever


Shadow the Hedgehog, is severely flawed and frustrating, but I do think anyone who enjoyed the Sonic Adventure games on the Sega Dreamcast can actually find something to enjoy here.


 

Shadow the Hedgehog PS2 Disc


 

See where the series got started with my Sonic Adventure 1 & 2 review for the Sega Dreamcast or, why not get a little more nostalgic with another Spin-Off, Sonic’s rival before shadow, Knuckles. I have reviewed both Sonic & Knuckles for the Sega Mega Drive and Knuckles’ Chaotix on the Sega 32X.