Sonic X Shadow Generations

The brand-new Shadow campaign delivers some of the best 3D Sonic levels to date — intense, flowing thrill rides with a joy-to-handle move set and clever Doom powers. The remastered Sonic Generations half, however, drags the package down: dated levels with bad targeting, instant fails, and awkward cameras that make it an unfavorable, inconsistent contrast next to Shadow's sublime modern design.

A monumental return to form and likely the best 3D Sonic game so far, combining two excellent campaigns. The remastered Generations content remains a delight across iconic stages, while the new five-hour Shadow campaign is the star, showcasing inventive levels and well-implemented Doom Powers. Performance is rock-solid at 30 FPS with no pop-in, and the music is stellar; the lack of a Chao Garden is the only real disappointment.

Shadow mission flexibility and new abilities add replay value but Doom mechanics feel disconnected from the nostalgia concept.