Shadow The Hedgehog (video Game) - Reception

Reception

Shadow the Hedgehog received mixed reviews from critics. Aggregating review websites GameRankings and Metacritic gave the GameCube version 53.10% and 51/100, the Xbox version 52.15% and 49/100 and the PlayStation 2 version 49.27% and 45/100. On May 17, 2006, the game's worldwide sales total exceeded one million. The game was later released as a part of three budget lines: Greatest Hits and Platinum Range for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox (these each represent sales of at least 400,000), and Player's Choice for the GameCube (250,000).

Critics derided the game's unwelcome sense of maturity for a Sonic series game, especially the addition of guns and other weapons. Game Informer staff writer Matt Helgeson said, "not only is this new 'adult' interpretation of Sonic painfully dumb, it’s also ill-advised and almost feels like a betrayal to longtime fans." Eurogamer staff writer Tom Bramwell felt that "the game's other selling point – its darker edge – not really meant for us." G4's X-Play and GameSpy staff writer Patrick Klepek thought similarly. In contrast, Nintendo Power staff writer Steve Thomason rated the game 8 out of 10, stating, "his darker take on the Sonic universe succeeds for the most part, giving the series a bit of an edge without going overboard on violence."

Critics also criticized the game's controls, especially Shadow's homing attack causing unexpected character deaths. Game Informer's Matt Helgeson complained that the attack "frequently sends you careening off into nothingness, resulting in cheap death after cheap death." Nintendo Power, X-Play, Eurogamer, Official Xbox Magazine, and GameSpy agreed. Other complaints focused on the mechanics of weapons and vehicles. Greg Mueller of GameSpot felt that the guns were nearly useless because of a lack of a target lock or manual aim, combined with an ineffective auto-aim. IGN staff writer Matt Casamassina, 1UP.com staff writer Greg Sewart, Game Informer, X-Play, GameSpy, and London's The Times also criticized the mechanics of Shadow's weapons, vehicles, and other aspects of the game's controls. However, Nintendo Power claimed, "blasting Shadow's foes with the wide variety of weapons at his disposal is just plain fun."

Critics praised the game's replay value, applauding the many possible paths that a player may take through the game. Rating the game 8.3 out of 10, GameTrailers stated, "this choose-your-own-adventure style gives the game replay value that many platformers lack." The Melbourne, Australia, publication Herald Sun, and Official Xbox Magazine thought similarly. Nintendo Power agreed, but criticized the difficulty of the missions that require the player to locate objects. GameSpot praised the game's variety of levels and music. Shadow the Hedgehog was voted the best game of 2006 in the Official Jetix Magazine Reader Awards.