10 Things Sega Wants You To Forget About Sonic The Hedgehog

6. Shadow The Hedgehog

Shadow The Hedgehog was Sega's next 3D platformer after Sonic Adventure and Sonic Heroes. Instead of featuring the franchise's primary character, the decision was made to focus on the black-haired hedgehog known as Shadow, who frequently appears as a villain or as an anti-hero in the series main titles. Shadow the Hedgehog wasn't overtly awful like many other entries in the Sonic franchise, but in this installment it wasn't the game-play or engine that angered fans and critic alike, it was the dark and violent story-line and implementation of guns in what is usually regarded as a franchise for children.

The incorporation of fire-arms and mature themes into a franchise about anthropomorphic animals can only be interpreted as a huge sign that Sega doesn't really know what they're trying to do with the series. If an adult gamer was looking for a serious, mature gun-wielding experience, surely they'd approach a series like Grand Theft Auto, or any FPS. If a younger gamer is looking for a 3D platformer, you'd assume they'd go for a title like Sonic Adventure or Super Mario Sunshine. By trying to simultaneously appeal to two different audiences, Sega made sure that their game wasn't tailor-made to any specific audience at all. Given that Sega seems to be taking the child-friendly approach again, they'd rather you forgot all about Shadow The Hedgehog's solo adventure.