Shadow The Hedgehog

by Sega Of America, Inc.

Product Features

• Use Shadows special skills to survive dangerous challenges -- like Chaos Control to manipulate time and space, or Chaos Blast, for unbelievable destruction
• Heavy-duty weapons are on hand, such as bazookas, blasters and worm shooters
• Drive motorcycles, alien crafts, and SUV's as you go after the truth
• Pick up and use environmental objects like poles, sticks and debris to plow his way through a mission
• The decisions and choices that the player makes will determine the progression of the story; The path a player chooses will produce either positive or negative consequences. Choose wisely!

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0009PKDQC
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches ; 8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: November 15, 2005
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,807 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Platform: Xbox

From the Manufacturer

Shadow awakens with amnesia and is tormented by a dark past as he struggles to unveil his true identity. Was he created to save humankind or to do the evil bidding of the dark side? Only by collecting the seven Chaos Emeralds will Shadow unlock the truth. Caught in a complex battle between aliens, the G.U.N. army, and Dr. Eggman, Shadow becomes the very element that may tip the scales between good and evil forever. The epic is set...and the path that Shadow will ultimately take is completely up to you!

Features:

• Open-ended, story-altering choices. Produce positive or dire consequences in Shadow's future by the paths you choose. Have a different experience every time you play!
• Intense high-speed action! Shadow has amplified speed and firepower, and can manipulate time and space with Chaos Control or create unbelievable destruction with Chaos Blast.
• Weapons, vehicles, and items! Draw from a huge arsenal of weapons including projectiles, firearms, bazookas, blasters, and worm lasers. Speed away on a motorcycle, an alien craft, or an SUV. And, for the first time ever in a Sonic property--pick up and use environmental objects like poles, sticks, and debris to plow your way through the mission.
• An all-star cast of characters! All of your favorite characters from the Sonic series, as well as an interesting lineup of new allies and adversaries!
• Huge variety of unique and intriguing stages and missions. Over 20 stages and more than 50+ missions.
• Two-player competitive mode. Get your friends in on the intense action.

Product Description

Shadow The Hedgehog brings back the high-speed action Sonic fans love, from a completely different perspective. They'll become Shadow, a rebel tormented by a dark past. He is struggling to unveil his true identity: Was he created to save humankind or to do the evil bidding of the dark side? His only clues are his own forgotten memories, and those secrets can only be unlocked through the powers of seven Chaos Emeralds.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An actual gamer review, February 2, 2006

By 

Joshua Whittington (Paso Robles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Shadow The Hedgehog (Video Game)

Briefly, my thoughts on the issue of the game's "appropriateness":

-Maybe the word "damn" isn't as generally taboo as it used to be, however up to this point the Sonic series has been, to my knowledge at least, squeaky clean, much like the Mario games. Even Sonic and other good guys use the word here. And kids still do go around imitating their favorite video game heroes, so it's not to be dismissed so lightly. I think having them use it was a bad idea.
-The "blackness" of the aliens has nothing to do with racism or Africans. The game is not racist in any way so shut up about it.
-This is the first Sonic-themed game where you fight against humans (besides Dr. Eggman), but even when you shoot them they don't die; they just lay there wounded and there's no blood.
-At first glance, one might think that this puts Sonic just a few steps away from "capping hookers" a la Grand Theft Auto. I'd say that's too alarmist and point out that Shadow is not the same character; Sonic says in the game that he "wouldn't be caught dead" with a gun.

Okay, now to the gameplay.
-Basically, this game plays like Sonic Heroes with guns. If you didn't like Sonic Heroes, you won't like this either (I obviously did hence the high score). Instead of having teams like SH, Shadow has a "mission character" who follows him and gives advice on how to fight enemies and beat missions.
-The guns are only semi-new to the Sonic series, since Tails would ride robots with gun-arms in the Sonic Adventure titles. Using them takes some getting used to, but soon became intuitive for me. I thought they fit okay with Shadow's character but I'm glad Sonic doesn't ever pick up a gun.
-Whether or not it "captures the feel of old-school 2D Sonic" depends on the level. Some of the levels are well-designed and succeed at this, and some are too cramped and frustrating, requiring trial-and-error to beat. You can pick your path through the game, though, so you can avoid the lame levels once you know them.
-The camera is needlessly frustrating to control, and this is what breaks some of the levels. Fortunately, you don't always need to worry about it, again depending on the level.

The storyline and production values are excellent, as we'd expect from the Sonic series. The voice acting is better than in Sonic Heroes but still isn't perfect.

The pro reviewers overreacted in my opinion when they said Sonic Team was losing the plot with this game. I say it's worth at least a rental from anyone who likes Sonic (and that should include everyone who's ever picked up a controller). But parents of <10-yr-old children should be wary of the "damnits."

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sonic the Hedgehog Advances to the Next Level, December 3, 2005

By 

Mocia Penelope "Mocia" - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Shadow The Hedgehog (Video Game)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than its made out by some ..., December 28, 2005

By 

Scott Dunbar (Scotland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Shadow The Hedgehog (Video Game)

I remember when I ordered Shadow the Hedgehog and decided to read some of the major reviews for it, from the large gaming sites. The first one that I found was trying to portray the game out to be terrible, I didn't believe it though. I then moved on to another site to find the same thing, review after review from the top sites all saying it was pretty bad. I firstly though of cancelling it, then though, they might not be right. I was right in thinking that.

The game isn't like a normal Sonic game, obvious because; it isn't Sonic. I have seen countless reviews complaining about the game having guns and it not suiting a Sonic game, but the fact is it isn't one and that's all there is to it. I go as far as to say the guns are a nice touch.

The game graphically is pretty similar to Sonic Heroes as far as level detail is concerned, although the characters seem to have been updated. The game still suffers from occasional game play issues such as the homing attack having a mind of its own, but that's just a small setback. The game has a fair selection of guns to choose from, ranging from pistols to rocket launchers. Aiming is pretty simple and easy to work. It's basically face the enemy and shoot, that's it and the game has slight auto-lock to make it even easier. The enemy AI was something I felt let the game down, most enemies just stand around and some don't even attack. The biggest killer in the game ended up being falls from cliffs and ledges, infact the only trouble killing the monsters caused was the time consumption. This ultimately effecting your rank at the end all for stopping to kill the enemies to complete the good or dark missions. But apart from that the game play seems to be quite solid, the camera is occasionally awkward but most of the time It's good when you need it. The music for the game is good as always, as are the sound effects. The voice acting is alright, its one thing that could have been better. The size of the game was great, spanning over 20 reasonably sized levels each with their own twists and turns to keep you happy and then you have the two player battle mode (which I haven't yet seen). And to make it even better the game has level select and allows you to re-watch cut scenes and listen to all of the games music from the main menu.

Overall I found the game to be quite good, like every game it has some problems but I found it made up for them. Totally worth it.

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