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Sonic the Hedgehog Advances to the Next Level

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: December 04, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Even with recent advancements in video game technology, very few games offer a mix of everything gaming has to offer. First person shooters, and racing games come by the dozen, as do games about soldiers, crooks, or mystical anime-like worlds. Shadow the Hedgehog, the newest addition to the classic Sonic series, combines the best aspects of these popular gaming concepts, enhancing the over-all Sonic experience.

Simply, Shadow is an inverted version of Sonic the Hedgehog. Those unfamiliar with Sonic Adventure 2, might assume this to be cheap characterization on the Sonic Team's part, but it is actually just the opposite. Visually, yes, Sonic and Shadow are extremely alike. Shadow's colors are just flipped from Sonic's and his look is more menacing. The actual background of Shadow's character however, is more complex then any other character's in the series. In fact, Shadow's past and personality are the bases of the game. This is a huge step up for the Sonic Team. Sonic Adventure 2, which also centers Shadow's motives, is the only other Sonic game that has ever truly regarded any kind of thought out story line. Sonic Heroes, Sonic Adventure, and pretty much all of the Sega Genesis Sonic games, gave you a very clear mission; Defeat the Evil Doctor Robotnik using some Chaos Emeralds, and thus, save the world.

The Story line in Shadow the Hedgehog is: who is Shadow? Is he good, evil, misunderstood, indifferent? Does he want to help human beings, or does he want to kill them all? It is the player's job to decide. And the great thing is, you can change your mind right in the middle of game play.

Here's how the system works, the order of stages depends on the mission you choose with in each level. For example, level one, Westopolis, throws Shadow into a situation where aliens are attacking the city. You have three options: You can either, help Sonic and the G.U.N. army defeat these aliens; You can assist the aliens in killing off all the soldiers; Or... you can blow everyone off and snatch one of seven chaos emeralds, hidden near the end of the level. There are over twenty levels, all of which are huge 3-D environments, with lots of directions and little crevices to choose from. It is actually a combination of the path-set levels in Sonic Adventure 2, and the exploration based levels in Sonic Adventure.

Its easy to choose which path to take, as the game's other characters are always meeting up with you as you play, and trying to sway you to follow their directions. You can also reference each mission by pausing the game. This takes you to a menu of your options. Often I would be very close to finishing a mission, and at the very last minute, decide to just blow everything up. This is possible because for good deeds, a meter on the top of the screen fills up in blue, eventually giving you a special move called, Chaos Control, allowing you to wiz through the level in double the speed.. If you choose to be wicked though, another meter fills up in red, giving you the power of Chaos Blast, which is the equivalent to a mini-nuclear bomb. Each move is very nicely animated and easy to control.

The weapons are also a nice addition to the game. There are special weapons, which can be found in Shadow-colored boxes. Each box has four weapons to choose from. I recommend the vacuum chicken, which sucks up all your enemies, but the chao doll shooter is nice too...

Regular weapons, which you steal from your enemies, include missiles, bazookas, machine guns, plasma lasers, hand guns... basically all the good stuff. This might seem violent for a Sonic game, but aliens just turn into green blobs when you shoot them. Soldiers and army fighting machines? ...Okay, I know, shooting soldiers is a bit dark, but again, its not like blood flies every where. Soldiers just yelp and beg for mercy after you shoot them. There are no violent graphics or real solider deaths, so its hard to feel too guilty once you get into blasting them all. That, and its fun to watch their machinery explode.

Getting back to the "darkness" of the game... Some very minimal, almost silly swearing has been added to the dialogue. Trust me, it is not offensive. Its actually kind of goofy. Also, the voice actors have all been re-casted, so, aside from the harmless cussing, lines are delivered a lot better then those of previous Sonic games. Though, be warned of the cheesy "mwhahaha" crap every now and then.

Other problems that have been addressed: The angle issue that the Sonic Team is notorious for, is actually a lot better. There are a few levels where I had some problems with it, but very rarely did they cost me one of my Shadow lives. The animation, especially in the major cut scenes, is really nice, great actually. It is very clear, textured, well lit, and nicely directed, though some of the human characters move a bit awkwardly. Still, in Sonic Adventure 2, the animation of a human character, Maria, was practically deformed. She looks a lot better in this game, I promise.

Lastly, the soundtrack to Shadow the Hedgehog features digitally mixed, guitar-heavy, electronica-like themes. The tracks with vocals, which are played during the introduction of the game, and as the credits are rolling, range from Marilyn Manson rip-offs, to even a semi-eighties/The Cure techno track. The best theme is one called The Chosen one. Its very pop-rock, but actually has a really somber chord progression. It almost stands alone from the game, just as Suteki Da Ne does in Final Fantasy X.

Over-all, Shadow the Hedgehog is a major advancement in Sonic games, that features very polished animation, and a detailed story-line, which the player has control over. It is "dark" but not offensive or truly violent, and includes well-produced music and voice acting.

It's not bad. It's GOOD.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: October 05, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I have played this game and I have to say that this game is not bad. Yes, the game is challenging. If you are looking for an easy game then this one isn't for you. It seems too many of today's gamers want easy spoon-fed games that don't require much finger dexterity. They want games that are not true games but instead are interactive videos. Shadow the Hedgehog harkens back to the good old days of video games when twitch control was the rule of the day. Remember Galaga? How about Pac-man? Sure they didn't have a storyline like many of today's games but they sure were fun as heck. Today's games are about storyline like Grand Theft Auto. Yesterday's was about pure action. Take Strider for example. I'll take that one any day over GTA. If you like a challenge, then this one is a game for you. It seems that Sega gets a lot of bashing because people have a lot of expectations for them. Granted this game isn't the best in the series it still is a fun game. I have played and replayed this game and cannot understand what all these bad reviews are about. It makes one wonder if they really gave it a chance. If you liked Sonic Heroes or Sonic Adventure like I did, you will like this one. Sonic Heroes, too. I don't understand why people give negative reviews of Sonic Heroes. It is a great game. But that is another story.

For those who can't get T games yet, play it & love it

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 9
Date: November 24, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I can't play rated T games yet.
So, one day Sonic Heroes comes out for the PS2.
I'm hooked for life!Then, Shadow the Hedgehog
comes out.Finally an E10+ shooter!And, best of all,
it has guns!I go into a coma for this game.
The game has a ton of weapons,missions, & choices.
With these choices, you get to do unique missions.
Pick the aliens, get a cool flying alien and possibly
the secrets of your past.
Pick Sonic & co. and fight with Sonic.
Pick G.U.N. and get access to more weapons(supposedly)
Pick Eggman and- well, I don't know.(Don't Pick him unless you like this guy or you want to see what each side is like)

Pros:
Choices on your storylines/sides
Play as Shadow the entire time
2-P mode
Use weapons and vehicles at the same time
Most importantly, GUNS!

Cons:
No Online Play
Possibly No Sequel :(

Whoa, not what I expected!!!! (a.k.a sly maniac) GAME RAWXX

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 17
Date: November 25, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Well I have ONLY played sonic heros but,THIS GAME RAWX!!!! CHAOS BLAST TOTALLY SUPER RAWX CHAOS CONTROL PUSHES TIME AND SPACE ASIDE AND WELL, WELL, THIS GAME JUST PLAIN RAWXX!!!!!!!!! YO, I SAY DO NOT LISTEN 2 OTHER PEOPLE.TWO PLAYER TOTALLY RAWXX 2!! ALSO NEEDS MORE DIFFRENT LEVELS STILL RAWXX!!

Shadow Finally Goes Solo!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: November 20, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I've been a huge fan of Sonic The Hedgehog since he began scrambeling Dr. Eggman waaay back in 1991 and have been both pleased and impressed at where Sonic Team and Sega have taken him over the years. This time however, it looks like Shadow, Sonic's look-alike rival from Sonic Adventure 2, is taking his first steps in Sonic's awsome frictionless sneakers: he's going solo! In Shadow The Hedgehog our favorite black furred rebel is caught in the middle of a four-way battle between Sonic and friends, G.U.N. (Guardian Units of Nations) Federation, Dr. Eggman and his latest scheme (whatever it might be this time) and a new alien menace called The Black Arms who's leader, Black Doom, seems to know Shadow and remembers some deal they supposedly made concerning the chaos emeralds fifty years ago. What's cool about Shadow is that you get to choose which side to fight with and you get to use guns, swords, vehicles and other objects that you can pick up and commandeer throughout the levels. It's also darker and moodier than any ordinary Sonic title, it even has some mild laguage in it:ie, Shadow says "Damn it!" when he gets hit, (then again, that's pretty much what I say when he gets hit too), and when he falls off the screen it's "Damn, not here!" and even Knuckles says damn sometimes! (Just for concerned parents out there) Good or evil? the choice is yours. Either way, you'll have a blast and Shadow's life will change forever, ultimate life form or not.

SHADOW IS BETTER THEN SONIC!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 6
Date: November 21, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Shadow should've got his game years ago!! Shadow the Hedgehog is an astonishing game! The gunplay is sweet, the camrea doesn't fight you, you can choose if your good or evil (I'm on the evil side), and you get sweet moves like chaos control and chaos blast. I LOVE this game!! You should defintley get this game!

P.S. Sonic is 65 and stinks. (50 years after Sonic Heroes.)

SONIC DOESNT LIKE 5O YEARS PAST

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 20
Date: November 25, 2005
Author: Amazon User

HE LOOKS YOUNG,ACTS YOUNG,AND LOOKING FORWARD 2 THE SONIC 360 AND PS3 GAME,HEARD ITS CALLED SONIC THE HEDGEHOG AND ITS THE 3RD IN DA SONIC ADVENTURE SERIES,IF there are 22 levels from hero to dark then thats 44 levels

Great Game!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: January 05, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I beat this game in 2 Hours because its short.I beat about 6 times.Its not boring though some of the missions take too long to finish.I'm not saying its bad its Just Shadow says ''Damn'' also Knuckles, Espio.And I noticed on the second mission the voices were from the show Sonic X.Which I didnt like too much.Though dont lets little kids play this.Its rated E 10 for a reason.I say get the game!

NOT a Sonic the Hedgehog game!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 4
Date: December 27, 2005
Author: Amazon User

For all the horrible ratings on this game for bad language and straying from the other Sonic the Hedgehog games because of use of weapons and vechicles, people must keep in mind that THIS IS NOT A SONIC THE HEDGEHOG GAME!!!!!Get youst to it!!It is only suppose to have a LITTLE of that Sonic touch in it.....jees.Yes, it should have been rated T, but it was ment to not be like Sonic the Hedgehog that much.It has a very good storyline and is an AWESOME game, so if you like Shadow.......BUY THIS GAME!!!!

Voice acting aside, this is a pure gem

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 3
Date: January 21, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Oh. My. God. The voice acting su-ucks. I mean, Deem Bristow (Eggman's original voice) may have died but come on! Sonic sounds like a twenty year old, Tails sounds like a girl (he DOES NOT sound like he had a building stuck down his throat like in Sonc Heroes), Knuckles sounds like a rapper (he actually WAS a rapper in Sonic Adventure 2 but that is an another matter) and when you throught all the bad voice work was over, there is more. Erm, yay? Also, the script is weak. Almost every character says: Damn. Shadow, Sonic, Knuckles, Espio... etc. They put Damn in every sentance. 'Damn! Not here...', 'Damn! A dead end.' Damn, they got away.' 'Damn, we've been detected.' 'Where is that DAMN fourth Chaos Emerald.' Damn it SEGA! Next time, Make their knowledge of words a bit more than just 'damn'. There are other words out there like... the ones in this review for instance. But hearing Sonic characters swear is priceless. I always laugh my head of when I hear it.

Enough with voice acting, let's start smashing up the stages.
Every stage looks the same. The are city stages (They all look like City Escape from SA2), the jungle stages (they look like Frog Forest from Heroes), the bases, ruins, castles and... that's it. 20 stages and they all look the same. The characters look just like Sonic Heroes except from the fact they are HORRIBLY animated.

The most interesting feature in Shadow is gunplay. Does it rock or suck? both actually. There is the basic and enjoyable handgun, a bozooka (YES!), machine guns and swords (Devil May Cry ahoy). The targeting system is a bit clumsy, but the satisfaction of having a machine got with 400 bullets in it (possible only here, obviously not in real life, obviously) shooting the crap out of anything that moves, doesnt move or something that doesn't take damage is indescribable. The mission system is slightly confusing. Beat this mission to unlock that mission that unlocks a weapon and a mission that unlocks a boss fight with a mission and a cutscene. Errr... what? I've already beaten two game paths, (The normal one and the true hero one and watching the endings is always cool. Even though the same words are repeated in each ending: I am Shadow (Insert either black arm, android or the Hedgehog), finally, I got ALL the Chaos Emeralds, THIS IS WHO I AM!!! Etc.

Overall scores

Graphics: 9
Backrounds: 3
Animation: 2
Characters: 9

Sound: 9
Voices: 5
Music: 10
Effects: 9

Gameplay: 9
Gunplay: 9
Replay value: 10
Platforming: 8
Combat: 8
Speed: 10

Overall score:
9/10
Shadow may be cool and his game might rock but what I really wante was a Knuckles The Echidna game. Think about it SEGA. Actually: DO IT SEGA, AND DO IT NOW!!! Damn it. The word typed just before was a quote from almost every character from Shadow The Hedgehog. Goodbye true believers. In next issie, I take on Fantastic 4's clunky but cool combat system. Until then, SO LONG SUCKAS! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

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