GamerArc Game Review: Shadow the Hedgehog (GC)

Most of the games I acquire tend to be purchased from discount bins or as gifts on holidays, and Shadow the Hedgehog is no exception. For those who are unfamiliar with the 'Hedgehog' line of games, Sonic the Hedgehog is Sega's mascot -- the fastest thing alive, and the hero of many games and other media formats. Shadow, on the other hand, is a relatively new introduction to the series, a hedgehog created as the 'ultimate life form' who teams up with the 'dark' side. In the game Shadow the Hedgehog, Shadow can choose whether to follow heroic or dark impulses, thus influencing his progress through the game's stages and the ending to the game. As with many modern Sonic-related games, there's plenty to do and unlock -- you have to see all ten of the main game's endings to unlock the final stages of the game, which requires you to fulfill difficult missions whether you're playing as a hero or a villian.

Perhaps the most dubious addition to the Sonic series (aside from by casting Sonic as rival and opponent instead of as hero of the story) is Shadow's ability to use weaponry to shoot at his opponents. On the one hand, it seems peculiar in a series where the ability to jump on your enemy has been the primary weapon for a very long time. (As Sonic himself puts it during the first level, "I wouldn't be caught dead using one of those.") On the other, the ability to shoot back at enemies before they shoot you is a welcome change from having to rely on your close-combat skills in areas loaded with attackers.

Unfortunately, targeting enemies with Shadow can be tricky -- while he generally adjusts his aim to shoot at whatever he is facing, his aim becomes far more fixed when he is in midair, riding on a vehicle, or grinding on a rail. Furthermore, everything Shadow can carry as a weapon (including street signs and flaming torches) has a limited amount of 'attacks' - around 4 to 8 for most melee objects, 6 to 12 for most heavy weapons, and 10 to 20 for most normal weapons. In an unusual bow to realism, Shadow can only carry one weapon around at any given time; this means that while Shadow can use weapons, odds are good that he'll run out of ammunition and be left relying on the classic jump attack more often than not.

Also of note are Shadow's Chaos Powers, which gain energy via two bars (red and blue) at the top of the screen. The red bar fills by committing dark acts -- destroying property, shooting people, and wreaking havoc, for example. The blue bar fills by committing heroic acts -- defeating aliens, destroying alien pods, and putting out fires, for instance. When either bar fills to maximum, Shadow begins to flash, and temporarily becomes invulnerable (and receives infinite ammunition for the weapon he is currently using). He also gains the ability to use a special power based on which bar filled -- the dark bar activates Chaos Blast, which allows him to destroy or damage everything within a set radius, while the hero bar activates Chaos Control, which allows him to slow time in boss fights or to teleport rapidly through the stage in normal levels. Unfortunately, the use of these Chaos Powers is not to be done lightly - Chaos Control may teleport you past mission objectives you may be trying to accomplish, while Chaos Blast may destroy platforms you need to stand on or objectives you may be trying to protect.

However, as with many Sonic games, the biggest enemy usually isn't what's busy shooting at you -- it's the platforms. Seriously, controlling Shadow is like controlling a frictionless ball with firearms, a problem that makes itself evident if you attempt to rush through a level. Although none of this has kept me from seeing two of the endings (so far), it's notable and takes practice to overcome.

Shadow the Hedgehog is an interesting diversion from previous installments in the Sonic series, and it's definitely fun -- it costs $16.99 from Amazon.com (with free Super Saver shipping), and it's worth it if you're a fan of the series and aren't dissuaded by the thought of a Sonic-like figure shooting everything that gets in the way. Otherwise, you might check out your local GameStop or the discount bin of your local retailer -- you might find a better deal.