The Sonic franchise has taken a lot of risks with its characters over the years. Some have paid off more than others, with games like Sonic Generations receiving acclaim from fans and critics alike, and games like Sonic Boom receiving heavy criticism for technical issues and questionable design choices. Then there are games like Shadow the Hedgehog, a rare Sonic spin-off, and one of the most polarizing titles in the franchise's history.
Shadow the Hedgehog may have fallen deep into the memory of longtime Sonic fans over the years, but its unique and controversial take on the franchise is something that is not so easily forgotten. The game was heavily criticized for its edgier elements and general shortcomings, but looking deeper at what Shadow the Hedgehog was trying to do, giving the spin-off another shot could be an excellent opportunity. The Sonic franchise has certainly come a long way since Shadow the Hedgehog released, and it could be the perfect time to give one of Sonic's most popular characters another chance in the spotlight.
Shadow the Hedgehog:Â Ahead Of Its Time
It may be difficult to think of a mid-2000s Sonic spin-off as being particularly influential, but Shadow the Hedgehog had gameplay elements that were surprisingly ahead of its time when it released. The gameplay mechanic in question was a morality system, where players could follow a light, dark, or neutral path reflective of Shadow's lone wolf attitude. In hindsight, it's almost a precursor to how many games nowadays are heavily reliant on player-choice. This isn't a mechanic the franchise has touched on since, so giving Shadow another solo game could be an excellent opportunity to revisit it with renewed depth and purpose.
Taking Advantage Of Sonic's Return To Form
As odd as it may be to give Shadow another shot at his own solo game, it might be a perfect opportunity considering the state of the Sonic franchise right now. The series has been slowly working its way out of the hole it dug itself after a handful of disappointing releases. The announcements of Sonic Colors: Ultimate and the leaked Sonic Rangers serve as a hopeful move towards better days for the franchise. It's apparent that Sega has learned some kind of lesson, and it could use that to approach a new Shadow the Hedgehog game that fixes the previous' mistakes with the benefit of hindsight.
The Potential Of Sonic Spin-Offs
The Sonic franchise isn't particularly known for having a wealth of spin-offs. The farthest the series has gone is with the occasional racing game, and Shadow the Hedgehog is one of the only story-based games to focus solely on a character other than Sonic. If Sega gave Shadow another chance, however, it could open up dozens of new opportunities. Shadow isn't the only Sonic character that fans cling to, so if a reboot or sequel of sorts was able to succeed, it could open up the door for a full game centered on Knuckles or Amy, for example. They might not reach tremendous heights, but it would be a great opportunity for variety.
Shadow the Hedgehog may be a very divisive game as far as some critics and fans are concerned, but giving Shadow another shot in the spotlight could be a great opportunity. The industry has evolved a lot since the game released, and with how the Sonic franchise appears to be evolving, an updated release of sorts could greatly redeem Shadow's reputation. Sega and Sonic Team seem to be doing something very experimental with the leaked Sonic Rangers, so it could be a very good chance to experiment with a return to Shadow the Hedgehog.