Sonic X Shadow Generations

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To do: Everything, to be honest, including: Unused content. I believe the assets for the Sonic 1 emulation in White Space are still present, similar to the original PC version. Pre-release page with info to document.

Sonic X Shadow Generations is a questionably-titled package compiling a remaster of the console/PC version of 2011's Sonic Generations and a new game, Shadow Generations. Taking place during the events of the former game, it brings several elements from Shadow the Hedgehog into the story, including Maria, Gerald, and Black Doom. The overall bundle has become one of the best-received Sonic games in recent memory, with the Sonic Generations remaster avoiding various problems that have plagued Sega's other recent rereleases and Shadow achieving acclaim in its own right.

Sonic Frontiers Leftovers

Shadow Generations was built atop the Sonic Frontiers codebase. Some of Sonic's abilities from that game still exist in Shadow's code but cannot be performed under normal circumstances.

• Drop Dash: Still functional, but it is set to always fail on the first condition. Forcing it to succeed allows Shadow to perform it, though it's missing sound effects. It's also pretty slow; its speed must be doubled to function like it does in Frontiers.
• Light Speed Dash: Present, but unclear if there is a way to restore it at present.
• Spin Dash: The early, unused variant, separate from the unlockable, boost-based one added in the second update. As in Frontiers, this variant causes Shadow to roll for two seconds before stopping.
• Stomp Bounce: The third Stomp Bounce (the one that sends shockwaves) is missing its sound effects but has new particle effects. This, alongside unused tutorial text, suggests it was planned to be retained before getting scrapped.

Unused Text

QandA_TEXT_13

Increases jump power depending on the number of jumps performed. 
Stomp to jump with maximum power.

Tutorial text for the Stomp Bounce.

Unused Graphics

Collection Logos

Sonic Battle

The Sonic Battle logos that were unused in the original Sonic Generations return in this remaster, albeit in higher quality. The Japanese logo can be seen in the Sonic Battle promotional art unlockable in Shadow Generations, but in that instance, it's baked into the artwork and doesn't use the individual logo graphic.

Sonic Rush

The Japanese and international Sonic Rush logos from the original are present here, again in higher quality. These go unused due to the Leaf Storm's theme, "Right There, Ride On" (which was associated with Rush in the original), being replaced in this remaster.

Shadow Generations' Internal Name

According to the .acb and .awb banks for Shadow Generations' original music, Shadow Generations is internally referred to as miller. This name is also present in the metadata of the Sonic X Shadow Generations reveal trailer. It's likely a nod to Tim Miller, the executive producer of Paramount's Sonic the Hedgehog film series; he also served as the producer for Shadow the Hedgehog's CGI cutscenes.

Version Differences

Regional Differences

To do: More regional differences to cover. Document the differences (if any exist) between the NA/EU and JA/Asia releases of Dark Beginnings

Game Select

Japan	International

The console/PC version of Sonic Generations has the subtitle White Space-Time in Japan to distinguish it from the 3DS version, which was subtitled Blue Adventure. This is reflected as such in the game's logo shown in the Game Select menu in the Japanese version.

Platform Differences

• Sonic Generations runs at 60 FPS on all systems except for Nintendo Switch, which is instead locked to 31.5 FPS. The reason for this is unclear, as using a 60 FPS cheat shows it is often able to maintain it. Shadow Generations, on the other hand, is locked to 30 on all systems except for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
• The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S add an option for Shadow Generations to switch between Quality (2160p30) and Performance (1440p60) modes, while the PC version naturally has more graphical settings.
• As with Sonic Forces and Sonic Frontiers, the Switch version has downgraded graphics to help keep the frame rate consistent, with lower quality textures and some missing lighting effects.
• The PlayStation 4 and 5 versions add a free DLC add-on that has the animated prequel "Dark Beginnings", which also comes with a special animatic version of the prequel.

Changes from Sonic Generations

To do: More changes to cover and add some images or videos. There's definitely enough changes to split into a subpage - heck, the script changes alone probably warrant one.

Graphic Changes

• All of the original game's graphics, 3D models, and visual effects are in a higher quality compared to the original.
• The pre-rendered movies have been re-rendered in 4K.
• Some cutscenes had their animations changed. For example, at Sonic's birthday party in the intro, Sonic is no longer pushing back Amy, and she is now holding a plate with food to give to Sonic.
• Classic Sonic's quills were reshaped to bring him more in line with his appearance in Sonic Superstars.
• Statue #55's name has been altered to change the small chicken animal's name from "Cucky" to "Clucky", in line with other recent Classic Sonic media.

Audio and Dialogue Changes

• At startup, the 2006 Sega logo intro audio from the original game was replaced with the dramatic electronic synth sound from the 2017 Amazing Sega logo, like in Sonic Colors: Ultimate (though some of the prerelease trailers for the original Sonic Generations did also use the 1983 Sega logo sound as a nostalgic callback).

• While almost all of the unlockable tracks in Sonic's Collection Room returned for this remaster, track 40, which was "Right There, Ride On" from Sonic Rush in the original, did not, as it was replaced with "Westopolis" from Shadow the Hedgehog, which also is present as track 10 in Shadow's Collection Room in Shadow Generations. This was probably a result of licensing issues relating to the samples used, as Sega removed the Sonic Rush soundtrack from streaming services in 2018 and has never restored it.^[1]

• Much of the dialogue has been heavily revised by Ian Flynn, writer for the IDW comic series, Sonic Frontiers, and Shadow Generations. As a result, all of the dialogue, even the lines that weren't rewritten, were re-dubbed by the voice casts; characters who had their voice actor changed since the original Generations (namely Tails, Knuckles, Blaze, Omochao, Espio, and Silver for the English dub) are now voiced by their current voice actors.
• Omochao's advice was rewritten to account for the greater number of gaming platforms; any reference to a specific button is replaced with more generic nomenclature i.e. "the jump button" instead of "the X button."
• Eggman's Japanese voice has been redubbed by his current voice actor Kotaro Nakamura. Aside from the newly recorded lines from Sonic and the rerecorded line from Tails when he is rescued, the Japanese dialogue remains the same.
• In the cutscenes where Sonic saves one of his friends, Modern Sonic now responds to them as opposed to staying silent.
• A volume slider for character voices was added to the options menu.

Gameplay Changes

• The Drop Dash, first introduced in Sonic Mania, was added as a move for both Classic Sonic, who has it as an optional skill, and Modern Sonic, who has it baked into his moveset.
• A new control scheme based on Sonic Frontiers was implemented, though the original control scheme can still be selected. The only change is that it maps the boost to the right trigger, with the original boost input becoming a second jump button.
• A HUD element that tracks the Red Star Rings by their position, similar to the one in Sonic Colors, appears whenever one is collected. The original only showed the Red Star Rings the player had in White Space and did not indicate their positions.
• The Casino Night pre-order DLC from the original is included by default.
• Three Chao can be found in every Act. If you rescue a Chao in a Zone's Act, it will appear as a stage object in the White Space. You can access hints about their locations in the Collection Room.
• A "Challenge Tries" setting, to enable or disable lives, was added to the options menu. The setting is off by default, removing 1-Ups from the stages, though they can still be purchased from the Skill Shop (in which they do nothing but waste shop points).
• The 30 Second Trial mode from the Online menu was removed.

Miscellaneous Changes

• The Sega Genesis item from the Skill Shop, which allowed PS3 and Xbox 360 players to play an emulated version of Sonic the Hedgehog, is not included. This could be because of the slowdown problems that occur when it is played with an unlocked frame rate in the original version.

• The Japanese text and subtitles have been updated to use kanji characters considerably more often.
• The secret Statue Room beneath the Collection Room is now easier to access, requiring a single press of the appropriate button as opposed to holding the button for 5 seconds.
• The statues within the Statue Room are all unlocked by default, rather than requiring codes to unlock as in the original version of the game.
• There are now three save slots as opposed to just one.
• A setting for controller vibration was added to the options menu, as opposed to basing it on the system setting.
• Support for text in Russian, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Korean and Thai was added. An option to change the text language was added to the options menu, as opposed to basing it on the system setting.

Trophies/Achievements

• There are only 40 trophies/achievements compared to the original's 49. The trophies/achievements listed below were removed or replaced:
  • Greased Lightning: Clear GREEN HILL Act 1 within one minute.
  • Bright Star: Get Rank S in an Act.
  • Shooting Star: Get Rank S in three Acts.
  • Blazing Meteor: Get Rank S in seven Acts.
  • Blue Comet: Get Rank S in twelve Acts.
  • Trickstar: Pull off a seven or more trick combo or six trick combo ending in a finishing trick.
  • Eradicator: Defeat 100 enemies.
  • Ring King: Reach the goal without dropping any of the rings you collected in GREEN HILL Act 1.
  • Action Hero: Perform all of Sonic's moves in GREEN HILL Act 2.
  • Bonds of Friendship: Complete all Challenge Acts featuring Sonic's friends.
  • Walkie Talkie: Chat with each of Sonic's friends you have saved.
  • Join the Ranks: Join the rankings.
  • A 30-Second Test: Participate in a 30 Second Trial.
  • Jump for Joy!: Find the spring hidden in GREEN HILL Act 1 and reach the goal with a Red Star Ring.
  • Walk on Water: Clear CHEMICAL PLANT Act 2 without entering the water.
  • Walk on Air: Clear SKY SANCTUARY Act 1 without falling and losing a life.
  • The Byway or the Highway: Get the Red Star Ring located on the shortcut route in SPEED HIGHWAY Act 2 and reach the goal.
  • Demolition Derby: Wreck 30 or more cars in CITY ESCAPE Act 2.
  • Secret Sleuth: Get the Red Star Ring located in the hidden room in SEASIDE HILL Act 1 and reach the goal.
  • Look Both Ways: Reach the goal in CRISIS CITY Act 2 without being hit by a tornado-carried cars or rocks.
  • A Quick Breather: Get the Red Star Ring atop the highest spot in ROOFTOP RUN Act 2 and reach the goal.
  • Color Power!: Get the Red Star Ring by using an Orange Wisp in PLANET WISP Act 2 and reach the goal.
  • Supersonic!: Race through a regular stage as Super Sonic.
  • Time Attacker: Play Ranking Attack on all stages.
  • Halfway Point: Clear half the Challenge Acts.

References