News Sonic X Shadow Generations Impresses In Latest Digital Foundry Tech Review

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Digital Foundry's tech review of Sonic X Shadow Generations reveals impressive performance on most platforms, with some issues on the Nintendo Switch. Here are the key findings:

1. Game Content:
- The package includes both a remastered Sonic Generations and a new Shadow Generations campaign.
- Shadow Generations features new levels inspired by various Sonic titles, including Sonic Adventure 2, Heroes, 2006, Forces, and Frontiers.

2. Performance on Major Platforms:
- PS5, Xbox Series X, and Series S offer both performance (60fps) and quality (30fps) modes.
- The 60fps performance mode is recommended for smoother gameplay.
- PS4, PS4 Pro, and PS5 all run at 60fps, with PS5 achieving native 4K resolution.
- Xbox One and One X can now enjoy the game at 60fps.
- PC version supports up to 120fps and native 4K resolution, offering the smoothest experience.

3. Visual Improvements:
- UI remade to support 4K resolution.
- Pre-rendered cutscenes recreated in 4K.
- Temporal anti-aliasing (TAA) and dynamic resolution scaling implemented.
- Shadow Generations uses the latest version of Hedgehog Engine, showcasing improved visuals.

4. Switch Version Issues:
- Sonic Generations runs at an unusual 31.5fps, causing constant stutter.
- Shadow Generations avoids the 31.5fps issue but suffers from severe frame pacing problems.
- Longer loading times compared to other current-gen consoles.

5. Other Notable Points:
- Fast loading times on current-gen consoles and PC.
- Excellent soundtrack with new arrangements and classic tracks.
- PC version allows overriding low texture filtering settings for crisper visuals.

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"PS5, Xbox Series X and even Xbox Series S offer performance and quality modes, with the 30fps quality mode being the default choice on Xbox. I'd recommend the 60fps performance mode instead, given the nature of the gameplay, some frame pacing issues, and the fact that the game still appears sharp enough at 60fps - though it is noticeably blurrier on Series S.

Shadow Generations also features temporal anti-aliasing (TAA) and dynamic resolution scaling, topping out at around 1800p in performance mode at a stable 60 on the higher-end consoles [Xbox Series X/PS5]."

Overall, Digital Foundry praises Sonic X Shadow Generations as one of the best 3D Sonic titles to date, with Shadow's responsive movement and the game's cinematic flair. The review concludes that Team Sonic has done a great job, despite the issues with the Switch version.

Sonic x Shadow Generations tech review: great on PlayStation, Xbox and PC, but hamstrung on Switch

The DF tech review of Sonic x Shadow Generations, available on PlayStation, Switch, Xbox and PC. A complicated release that's essentially two games.

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