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  Developer Sega Studio USA
  Publisher Sega
  Released November 15 , 2005 <br> November 18 , 2005 <br> December 15 , 2005
  Genre Action-adventure / Platformer
  Modes Single Player / Two Player
  Ratings : 12+
  Platforms PlayStation 2 , GameCube , Xbox
  Input Shadow The Hedgehog controller


''Shadow the Hedgehog'' is a video game starring an Antihero of the '' Sonic The Hedgehog '' series, Shadow The Hedgehog . It was revealed at Sonic's inauguration into the Walk Of Game , developed by Sega Studios USA (formerly known as Sonicteam USA), and was released in the United States on November 15 , 2005 .


STORY

Over 50 years ago, deep in a Military Research Space Station, Prof. Gerald Robotnik forged an experiment known as " Project Shadow " while trying to unlock the secrets of the Chaos Emeralds at the request of the Government. The Experiment cumulated in "The Ultimate Life-Form"; Shadow the Hedgehog, a Creature with the ability to harness the mysterious power of the Chaos Emeralds in ways not thought possible. After being thought dead in Sonic Adventure 2 , Shadow has returned - with Amnesia . He does not understand who he is or where he's from, but he's determined to find out, be it from Black Doom , the leader of An Alien Race who claims he and Shadow made a pact involving the Chaos Emeralds, GUN , the militaries that murdered Maria, or Dr. Eggman .


GAMEPLAY

Shadow must get from the start of the level to the end, as has traditionally been the case for the ''Sonic'' titles. A change made is when player playing to the level, Shadow doesn't have to finish the whole but finish the level half way by completing a task. The biggest change, however, would be his ability to use several weapons; he was shown using an MP5 Submachine Gun , a Sword and a Bazooka , among many others. The gun can, naturally, harm opponents, but also has the ability to break down large pieces of the level, such as tall columns. Shadow can still use all his moves from the previous games like Homing Attack. This game is different from others as the player decisions determine Shadow's future. Shadow has 3 missions in almost every level (these being Hero, Dark, and Neutral), and he can choose one to accomplish at any point in the level. The level Shadow goes to changes depending on which mission was played on the previous level. Also, Shadow now has at least two abilities, Chaos Control (light blue) and Chaos Blast (red), and gains these by killing certain targets (Killing aliens and clearing debris from the game field increases the Chaos Control Gauge, and killing humans and destroying nature ( trees, plants ect) increases the Chaos Blast Gauge.

Besides wielding weapons, Shadow can use vehicles; 4x4 's, Motorbikes , G.U.N. mechs, alien crafts, etc. As with the weapons, this has spawned complaints from fans, who point out that Shadow is similar to Sonic , and thus would probably be able to ''run'' faster than most vehicles. It has been confirmed that the vehicles will be optional.

Sega's official ''Shadow the Hedgehog'' site suggests that though Shadow can run faster than the game's vehicles, the vehicles have many capabilities that Shadow does not have (e.g. the trailer from a pre-rendered movie from the game which sees Shadow use a motorcycle as a rolling missile, and also Shadow can use the vehicle to run over enemies or hit them). As in most ''Sonic'' games, the Chaos Emerald s play a big part in this game, as Shadow needs them to regain his memory and to use his ultimate Powers.

These powers, according to the developers, will be the ultimate in destruction and speed. The two Chaos Powers are the heroic "Chaos Control" (lets Shadow manipulate time and space), which is used by defeating Black Arms invaders, and the evil "Chaos Blast" (creates an explosive blast of energy damaging enemies), which can be used by killing G.U.N. soldiers and robots. "Chaos Spear", a move previously used in ''Sonic Adventure 2'''s multiplayer is only available with Super Shadow. Instead of having a linear storyline, you have the ability to choose your path, which is touted as the game's major selling point. You can even change sides when you please. There are a total of 10 alternate endings that can be unlocked, plus one "Final" ending which ties everything together. Although you play as Shadow, all major ''Sonic'' characters appear at points in the story, and new characters are also seen. Also, the developers of the game have done away with the old engine (RenderWare, used in Sonic Heroes ) and created a new one. While they claimed the new engine would be capable of better graphics, new special effects, and more destructive environments, in reality the engine was still flawed and actually worse in some respects.


CHARACTERS


  • Amy Rose is Sonic's friend and an ally with Shadow during the Cryptic Castle level and Cryptic Castle Egg Breaker boss.

  • Black Doom commands Shadow to bring the 7 chaos emerald to him and he will unlock the hidden story about his past.

  • Cream The Rabbit is a cute and friendly 6-year old rabbit. She is part of a mission in Cryptic Castle where Amy needs Shadow to help rescue Cream, as well as her Chao, Cheese. She is the only main character who doesn't tag-team with Shadow.

  • Charmy Bee is a member of the Chaotix and can ally with Shadow during the Prison Island level.


  • Doctor Eggman is Sonic's arch-nemesis, but this time appears as either an ally or an enemy, depending on the player's choices. He plans to create a utopia called Eggmanland, but needs to get rid of G.U.N., the Black Arms, Sonic, and Sonic's allies to do so. Since former American actor, Deem Bristow , passed away in early 2005 , Mike Pollock who voiced Eggman in Sonic X took on the role in the games.

  • Doom's Eye is Black Doom's third eye, once it is removed from his forhead; it helps convince Shadow to join Black Arms' cause and can ally with Shadow during many levels as the Dark Mission Character. Doom's Eye's wisdom, guidance, and knowledge guides Shadow towards completing his task, which brings Doom's Eye closer to the emeralds and Shadow to the truth.


  • Espio The Chameleon is a Chaotix member and can ally with Shadow during the Mad Matrix level and Mad Matrix Egg Breaker boss.

  • E-123 Omega is the 24th model of Eggman's E-100 robots who, due to being deactivated, now wants revenge on Doctor Eggman. He originally teamed up with Shadow in ''Sonic Heroes'' and can ally with Shadow on the Iron Jungle and Lava Shelter levels and Iron Jungle Egg Breaker and Lava Shelter Egg Dealer bosses.

  • The G.U.N. Commander is the highest ranking officer of the Guardian Unit of Nations. He is one of the few who knows the secrets of Shadow's past and loathes Shadow for reasons unknown, at least until a certain level.

  • Knuckles The Echidna is the Guardian of the Master Emerald and friendly rival of Sonic. He can ally with Shadow during the Glyphic Canyon, Central City, and Black Comet levels and the Black Comet Egg Dealer boss.

  • Maria Robotnik is Prof. Gernald Robotonik's Grandaughter; she was Shadow's best friend who gave her life to save him from G.U.N. She returns in flashbacks that take place on Space Colony ARK , and she is the mission character for The Doom and Lost Impact, and The Doom Heavy Dog battle.

  • Miles "Tails" Prower is Sonic's sidekick and best friend and can ally with Shadow during the Circus Park and Air Fleet levels.

  • Rouge The Bat is a jewel-loving thief and government spy. She is usually in government levels and can ally with Shadow. She previously teamed up with Shadow in ''Sonic Adventure 2'', then again in '' Sonic Heroes ''.

  • Sonic The Hedgehog is Shadow's blue counterpart and rival and can ally with Shadow during certain levels. Sonic is also a boss if the player plays through the Dark Mission; Sonic helps the G.U.N. boss (Diablon).

  • Vector The Crocodile is leader of the Chaotix and boss of Espio and Charmy and can ally with Shadow the Cosmic Fall level and Cosmic Fall Black Doom and Dealer bosses.



ENEMIES


Throughout the game is a variety of enemies Shadow must defeat. Depending on what side the player chooses, the enemies change. If good, the Black Arms and Eggman's robots are enemies to Shadow (in Eggman's case, this is not always true, as he is sometimes the Hero Mission character), but G.U.N. soldiers are enemies if the player chooses to be evil. If the player is neutral, all other characters are enemies.


Weapons

A new feature in Shadow the Hedgehog is the ability to use weapons left behind by defeated foes. Weapons can come from G.U.N. soldiers, Black Arm soldiers and Eggman's robots. They can be swapped for other weapons, but only one weapon can be carried at a time. During Shadow's quest to discover his past, he can use 6 special weapons called shadow weapons.
If a player finishes the whole story, a special weapon will be unlocked, depending on which side they took. The weapons can be found inside a black crate with Shadow's logo on the side. These weapons are more powerful than most other weapons and vary in strength. They can all be upgraded to a level 2 form.

  • Omochao Gun:The Omochao Gun fires objects that assimilate Omochao's heads. They bounce from enemy to enemy and do a great deal of damage. In its level 2 form, it fires faster, does more damage, has more shots, and can bounce farther between enemies.

  • Samurai Blade:The Samurai Blade as a very long reach and swings fast while doing damage. At level 2 it does more injury, fires lasers when swung, and is more durable.

  • Satellite Laser:The Satellite Laser locks onto enemies using the beam it emits, and a satellite in space shoots a large and powerful beam at the enemy. At level 2, it gains more shots, more power, and more range. It often defeats enemy with one shot.

  • Vacuum Egg:The Vacuum Egg (a reference to Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg) is an egg-shaped vacuum that sucks up enemies and some objects. The egg on the gun expands every time, and after it vacuums up enough objects, an extra life is gained. The level 2 form sucks up more enemies and rewards 3 extra lives for filling up the egg.

  • Heal Cannon:The Heal Cannon is a portable version of the heal unit, which Maria dubs `grandfather`s greatest invention`. When an enemy is hit with it, the enemy lowers it`s weapon and stays still. Hitting Black Arms in this way raises the Dark Gauge (though Doom`s Eye does not comment) and firing at GUN soldiers raises the Hero Gauge. The effect on Eggman`s robots varies depending on whether he's the ally or the enemy for the stage. The Heal Cannon can also aid the player in healing scientists during the Hero Mission of The Doom.

  • Shadow Rifle:The Shadow Rifle is able to destroy almost any enemy in one shot. When used against objects such as the president's aircraft or the Artificial Chaos robots, it deals heavy damage. The Shadow Rifle has no Level 2 form.



List of Weapons


Although knowing Shadow can use GUN and Black Aliens' guns, to let you notice, the rate of fire for a gun is always at least semi-automatic and melee weapons have a certain amount of hits before they break. Rocket Launchers or Explosive shell launchers have slow rates of fire. The guns are:


=GUN Forces


  • Pistol





  • Turret


  • GUN Lift


  • AT4 Rocket Launcher


  • 4-Shot RPG


  • 8-Shot RPG



  • Multi-Lock B40 Rocket Launcher


  • Grenade Launcher




=Black Arms


  • Light Shot


  • Flash Shot


  • Sword



  • Death Worm Shooter


  • Gold Worm Shooter


  • Explosive Blast Turret


  • Portable Explosive Blast Turret Piece


  • Refractor


  • Vaccum Gun


  • Oak Hammer



=Egg Fleet


  • Egg Spear


  • Egg Gun


  • Egg Cannon



STAGES


  • Stage 1: Westopolis

  • Stage 2a(Dark): Digital Circuit

  • Stage 2b(Neutral): Gyphic Canyon

  • Stage 2c(Hero): Lethal Highway

  • Stage 2c Boss: Black Bull '''

  • Stage 3a(Dark): Cryptic Castle

  • Stage 3a Boss: Egg Breaker

  • Stage 3b(Neutral): Prison Island

  • Stage 3c(Hero): Circus Park

  • Stage 4a(Pure Dark): Central City
  • Stage 4b(Dark): The Doom

  • Stage 4b Boss: Heavy Dog

  • Stage 4c(Neutral): Sky Troops

  • Stage 4d(Hero): Mad Matrix

  • Stage 4d Boss: Egg Breaker

  • Stage 4e(Pure Hero): Death Ruins

  • Stage 4e Boss: Black Bull

  • Stage 5a(Pure Dark): The Ark

  • Stage 5a Boss: Blue Falcon

  • Stage 5b(Dark): Air Fleet
  • Stage 5c(Neutral): Iron Jungle

  • Stage 5c Boss: Egg Breaker

  • Stage 5d(Hero): Space Gadget

  • Stage 5e(Pure Hero): Lost Impact

  • Stage 6a(Pure Dark): G.U.N Fortress

  • Stage 6b(Dark): Black Comet

  • Stage 6c(Neutral): Lava Shelter

  • Stage 6d(Hero): Cosmic Fall

  • Stage 6e(Pure Hero): Final Haunt

  • Stage 7(Last Story): The Last Way




PRE-RELEASE COMMENTS AND FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The gaming community has had strong opinions on the preview ''Shadow'' videos posted on popular Internet gaming sites (such as GameSpot and IGN.com ).
Many comments were made about the gun Shadow wielded. Some argue that it goes entirely against the spirit and/or gameplay mechanic of the ''Sonic'' series or that Shadow should be powerful enough that a gun would not be necessary, given that he himself had proclaimed to be the "Ultimate Life Form".

Some people, however, noted that this may be the concluding chapter of the current series and that this will bring a full conclusion to all the somewhat confusing plot points that have appeared in the two previous Sonic Adventure games. It was announced that the upcoming Next-gen Sonic Game will "bring back the series to its roots."


GAME REVIEWS

Shadow the Hedgehog did not fare well when reviewed. The average score at Gamerankings .com was a 50% out of 100% {Link without Title} . Common complaints were that the game had bad level design, unrefined controls, broken camera system and outdated graphics. Also many reviewers complained that the gunplay was useless.


VOICEOVERS


English voice dubbing changes

After the voice actor for Doctor Eggman , Deem Bristow , died in January 2005, Sega was faced with the problem of having to re-cast the English actor for this character. Mike Pollock stepped forward; Pollock was the voice actor for Doctor Eggman in the 4Kids Entertainment dub of the Anime , Sonic X . Not only did Sega accept him as the new actor for Doctor Eggman in the Sonic videogames, but they hired on all of the 4Kids Entertainment voice cast - without even notifying the previous voice cast beforehand. The news eventually trickled down to the community, announced by the previous voice actor for Sonic the Hedgehog, Ryan Drummond . This was met with horror and anger by fans of the old voices when it was discovered. Many fans have sent requests for the reinstation of the old cast.


Original Japanese voices

The PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions contain the original Japanese voiceovers, though the method of enabling them is different for each version. In the PS2 version, the voices can simply be changed in the options menu of the game, while in the Xbox version, the voice and text language change according to the language settings of the Xbox system menu. The GameCube version of the game does not feature the Japanese voiceovers.


Other Characters

The other characters in the game are voiced by other 4Kids voice actors.


CENSORSHIP ISSUES

Due to the mildly violent nature of the game, the ESRB rating was, for a time, in question. The official ESRB website originally had the game rated as T, along with GameSpot , but the official site listed E-10+. The T rating was seemingly further evidenced, however, by the fact that, at trade shows where Sega showed off the game, they asked only those 13 and older to play the title. Early builds of the game even had mild swearing in them, and the game does include two mildly offensive words (hell and damn). For the English Version of the game, Sega took out the human's blood, changed the color of alien blood from red to green, and censored the scene when a GUN soldier shoots Maria, cutting out as Maria is shot and falls to the ground. Regardless, the ESRB website later updated the rating to E-10+, thus making it unanimous. The CERO rating is "All Ages"; the OFLC classification is PG; the PEGI rating is 12+.


DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THIS GAME AND TRADITIONAL SONIC GAMES

  • When hit, Shadow doesn't lose all of his rings but loses 10 rings at a time.

  • Most stages have branching Good, Evil, and Neutral missions that affect stages, scenes, and endings.

  • Shadow can ride vehicles.

  • Shadow is able to save the current level at Save Points within stages themselves, allowing Shadow to teleport to a save point that has been touched.

  • The camera controls have changed. The camera can be controlled with the C-Stick for Gamecube or right analog stick for PS2 / Xbox , unlike previous 3D Sonic titles, where the left and right tiggers are used to rotate the camera.

  • The "Heat Barrier", which is from Sonic 3, damages enemies and breakable objects when touching them.

  • Shadow can pick up and use weapons dropped by enemies or certain random objects. He can also exchange weapons ''(1 at a time)''.

  • A parachute as been added, allowing Shadow to get to a long distance area for a short time while on air.

  • Shadow doesn't always have to reach the goal ring, however he can do this by completing a given task.



MUSIC

Recently, an album has been released entitled "Shadow the Hedgehog: Lost and Found". Several music tracks from the game are featured in this album, while some mixes were made to others.
There is also a confirmed promotional song in Japan : a remix of M-flo 's "TRIPOD BABY" track off of '' BEAT SPACE NINE '', their latest album.


Vocal tracks

  • "I Am... All of Me" by Crush 40 (Trailer, Intro and Final Boss theme)

  • "Almost Dead" by Powerman 5000 (Dark and Pure Dark ending theme)

  • "Waking Up" by Julien-K (Neutral ending theme)

  • "E.G.G.M.A.N. Doc Robeatnix Mix" by REMIX Factory ft. Paul Shortino ( Dr. Eggman 's Theme)

  • "Chosen One" by A2 (Hero ending theme)

  • "All Hail Shadow" by MAGNA-FI (Pure Hero ending theme)

  • "Never Turn Back" by Crush 40 (Final ending theme)



Remixes

Since it was the game in which Shadow was introduced, many of the songs featured in Sonic Adventure 2 were remixed for Shadow the Hedgehog.

  • "Event 3" as a remix of "E.G.G.M.A.N." from ''Sonic Adventure 2'', remixed by The Remix Factory (used during cutscenes involving Eggman, including one prerendered cutscene)

  • An extended version of that remix used before battles with the Egg Dealer. The song's true title, "E.G.G.M.A.N. Doc Robeatnix Mix" wasn't revealed until the "Shadow the Hedgehog : Lost and Found" album was released.

  • "Blue Falcon" and "Heavy Dog" as different remixes of "G.U.N. Mobile" (known as "Boss 1" in the sound test) from Sonic Adventure 2 , remixed by The Remix Factory (used during boss battles after the levels ''The ARK'' and ''The Doom'')

  • "Battle Mode" as a remix of the Radical Highway theme, "Vengeance is Mine", from ''Sonic Adventure 2'' (used during 2P matches)

  • "The ARK" as a remix of Final Rush's "Highway in the Sky" from ''Sonic Adventure 2'' (Used during the stage called "The ARK")

  • There is also an Event song not listed in the Sound Test (called 'Strategy' in the Shadow the Hedgehog Original Sound Trax) that is a remix of an Event song in ''Sonic Adventure 2''.

  • During the Last Story cutscene in which Shadow uses the Chaos emeralds to go Super, a slower, remixed music clip of "I Am (All of Me)" plays, then flawlessly switches to a remixed music clip of "Live and Learn", the main theme of ''Sonic Adventure 2''.


There was also a promotional song in Japan: a remix of M-flo 's "TRIPOD BABY" track off of '' BEAT SPACE NINE '', their latest album. It was not used in America.


Lost Tracks


In this game, 2 tracks were removed for unknown reasons. One was "Broken" by Sins of a Holy Mother and the second being "Who I Am" by Magna-Fi


TRIVIA

  • G.U.N. soldiers will occasionally call out, "Mister Yuji Naka is all right!"; Yuji Naka being the head of Sonic Team and Sonic's creator.

  • The unlockable Vacuum Egg gun is (as one might guess by its design) a reference to the obscure Sonic Team game '' Billy Hatcher And The Giant Egg ''.

  • The red and white platforms in Circus Park are the exact same ones seen in Carnival Night Zone in '' Sonic 3 & Knuckles ''.

  • Two of the bosses in this game are called Black Bull (a large, flying Black Arm) and the Blue Falcon (a G.U.N. mech unit). Coincidentally or otherwise, these are also the names of the racecars driven by Black Shadow and Captain Falcon in Nintendo's F-Zero Series . ( F-Zero GX and its arcade couterpart, F-Zero AX , were produced by Sega for Nintendo)

  • The Hero ending cutscene to Stage 1 (Westopolis) has Sonic saying "Welcome to the next level," which is Sega's slogan from the Genesis era.

  • Sometimes, G.U.N. soldiers will say things like "They got Bob!" or "They got Keith!", a supposed reference to Fight Club.

  • When Shadow beats Sonic, he says "Game Over, Sonic". Sonic says the same thing to Shadow when he defeats him for the second time in Sonic Adventure 2



GALLERY


Graphics engine

Only three new characters are introduced including the Black Arms. Other familiar faces from Sonic games and universe are also featured in this game, although the game is centered around Shadow alone. The pictures below show some featured characters. (Other character pictures are displayed above.)


  Image:Tails001jpg "http://wwwinformationdelightinfo/encyclopedia/entry/Miles_"Tails"_Prower" class="copylinks">Miles "Tails" Prower
  Image:Knuckles001jpg "http://wwwinformationdelightinfo/encyclopedia/entry/Knuckles_the_Echidna" class="copylinks">Knuckles The Echidna
  Image:Eggman001jpg "http://wwwinformationdelightinfo/encyclopedia/entry/Dr_Eggman" class="copylinks">Dr Eggman
  Image:Amy001jpg "http://wwwinformationdelightinfo/encyclopedia/entry/Amy_Rose" class="copylinks">Amy Rose
  Image:Rouge001jpg "http://wwwinformationdelightinfo/encyclopedia/entry/Rouge_the_Bat" class="copylinks">Rouge The Bat
  Image:Vector001jpg "http://wwwinformationdelightinfo/encyclopedia/entry/Vector_the_Crocodile" class="copylinks">Vector The Crocodile
  Image:Espio001jpg "http://wwwinformationdelightinfo/encyclopedia/entry/Espio_the_Chameleon" class="copylinks">Espio The Chameleon
  Image:Mariaofficailartjpg "http://wwwinformationdelightinfo/encyclopedia/entry/Maria_Robotnik" class="copylinks">Maria Robotnik