SAN FRANCISCO--The Metreon unveiled its Walk of Game tonight in a ceremony that saw Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog among the 2005 inductees. However, the real news is that Sega used the opportunity to unveil a new platform game called Shadow the Hedgehog. Shadow is Sonic's nemesis, first appearing in Sonic Adventure 2. The new game seems to be a Sonic-style adventure with some bold new twists.

The short clip showed off a variety of gameplay from the upcoming platformer that featured familiar Sonic mechanics, along with some new additions to the time-tested formula. Among the segments that showed Shadow's railsliding, homing jump, and speed-burst abilities, it was hard to miss Shadow...because he packed some heat. Yes, the dark hedgehog rolls strapped with a pistol of some kind, and he appears to have no qualms about using it to take out fools that are in his way.

The environments shown appear to be in the same tribal vein as those from Sonic's recent console adventures, although, as evidenced by the text interspersed among the gameplay, Shadow will be taking players on a tear through the darker side of Sonic's universe. Additionally, the graphics appear to be along the same lines as those seen in Sonic Heroes.

Although no platforms were given for the game's release, PlayStation 2 and GameCube versions seem like givens, especially when taking into account the Sonic series' history. The game is scheduled to be released this fall, so expect to see some official details on the game in May at E3 2005, if not sooner. -- Richard Torres, Gamespot 2005

 

 

 

The news of the game has already caused shudders deep in many devout Sonic fans' hearts. They've seen Shadow, they've seen thr gun, they want their Sonic back. To find out just two varying views on the matter, see Retro and X3's rant for Issue 6 of Please Don't Feed The Animals.

 

Possibilly a month ago, Sega commisioned a questionnaire to their official website to discover what the new generation of the blue streak's fans wanted in a new game. Among the questions, several ideas and hints concerning a spin-off game were given. One of those happened to be an adventure consisting of Shadow the Hedgehog. It looks like they didn't even bother to read the replies as a fortnight later, the trailer, complete with several in-game shots were released.

 

The trailer, then: Download it here!

 

After a rather nifty opening giving us nostalgia in terms of the original Sonic the Hedgehog, right up to that other contraversial game (Sonic Heroes), we get to see Shadow walk in with a rather disproportioned gun. Already, we know that this ain't any normal Sonic game!

 

 

Sonic Team are being extremely bold before. Throughout the 13 years they've been around, Sega have only ventured out of the platforming mould once or twice with the hedgehog with speed (Sonic Spinball, Sonic Battle, etc). With the addition of a firearm and the prospect of a much darker situation, Shadow the Hedgehog seems to be providing the older generation with their own 'Sonic' game.

 

New features include fighting demons in a Hellish backdrop, using jet boots and Chaos Control to reach insane speeds and possibly, the chance to upgrade your weapons.

 

 

 

Already, people are shunning Sonic from their childhood as they read the offending article. They're not willing to accept progress and would be much happier to see Sonic Team rot in the same old platforming mould. But for their benefit, there are a few minor niggles about the previewed' (!) game: