Sonic X Shadow Generations delivers a double helping of fan service

videogameschronicle.com:

The first time Sonic Generations was released, the Sonic franchise was in a very different state to the one it’s currently in.

Having just started to emerge from a lengthy funk with numerous low-scoring games, Sonic Generations was the second critically-acclaimed Sonic title in a short period (following a year after the Wii-exclusive Sonic Colours).

Instead of trying to throw in all manner of distracting new gimmicks like talking swords, motion controls and werehog transformations, Sonic Team decided that the best way to take Sonic forward was to look back, resulting in a wonderful mis-mash of nostalgia and novelty.

Now, as Sonic Generations receives its second moment in the spotlight, Sonic’s standing in the world of video games is far more healthy, following a string of positively reviewed games, a pair of hit live action movies (with the third coming this Christmas) and Sega regaining its confidence to try new things – such as Sonic Frontiers – while still ensuring fans of the classics are acknowledged with the likes of Sonic Superstars.

As the name suggests, however, Sonic X Shadow Generations is more than just a straight current-gen port of the 2011 Xbox 360 and PS3 game. Instead, it’s essentially two games in one – a remaster of Sonic Generations and a brand new game called Shadow Generations.

Starting with the game most familiar to fans, Sonic Generations has been given the sort of remaster that may not initially doesn’t appear too groundbreaking until you put it side-by-side with the original.

Back in 2011, the game ran at 720p and 30 frames per second, so the modern upgrade to what appears to be 4K and 60fps is certainly a welcome one. Given the speed at which the game frequently whips past you don’t often get time to study the details, but this is certainly the best the game has ever looked.

(It should be noted that those who have played the game in recent years on Xbox consoles may notice less of a difference. Back in 2021 the Xbox 360 version got an update