Gaming

Sonic x Shadow Generations: Celebrating the blue speedster

Best game to jump back into Sonic

Published

November 4, 2024

I was in the middle of my early playthrough when I realized that Sonic x Shadow Generations is my first proper Sonic console game since the Sonic The Hedgehog game on the SEGA Genesis. Yes, it’s been that long. Especially if you don’t count that one mobile game released some time in the early to mid 2010s.

It has been a while. A long while. And I was more than pleasantly surprised with the gameplay I got from Sonic x Shadow Generations. To a certain extent, it felt like catching up on the games I missed while also experiencing something completely new.

Double Feature

Sonic x Shadow Generations is a double feature. In one game you play two versions of Sonic. In the other, you play the powerful Shadow.

Both games pick up from a birthday party featuring Sonic and friends. Naturally, something sinister happens and it’s up to Sonic and Shadow to uncover what happened and to save everyone. However, they’re doing it on two different fronts.

Sonic is more direct. In his game, the more levels you beat, the more friends you set free. Meanwhile, Shadow is chasing after Doom’s Eye – a Star Fish-like figure with an eye in the middle.

What ensues is a whole lot of running and speeding that require some clever platforming.

Need for Speed… and patience

The Sonic Generations part of this double feature will see you needing to beat stages twice: one as Classic Sonic and then another as Modern Sonic.

Since Classic Sonic is the only one I really had experience with, I was getting S Ranks like it was nothing. I felt transported back to the days playing the game on the SEGA Genesis my uncle owned back in the day. It was fun, exhilarating, and a nice nostalgic experience for me.

It was with Modern Sonic that I had trouble with. With Modern Sonic, you tackle the exact same level but now it’s a shifting 3D stage as opposed to the pretty straightforward side-scroller that was the Classic Sonic run.

I was getting C and B ratings after each run and it was, admittedly, quite frustrating. It took a few more tries to get to an A rating.

My reflexes have, unfortunately, aged and it just couldn’t keep up with the speed needed to cleanly clear the stages. I imagine it won’t be as difficult for most people, but I had trouble timing when to press the right buttons to take down enemies and obstacles especially when I boosted Sonic up with Turbo.

That said, it was still a fun challenge to go through. The stages were all designed to ensure that there’s not just one way to complete them.

No matter what game you’re playing, I’d wager getting used to the speed and timing of the controls might take some getting used to. Unless your reflexes are insanely good.

A modern Sonic platformer

Shadow Generations felt the most modern out of every experience here. It took everything from the Sonic Generations, tightened some mechanics, added some new ones, and dropped in gameplay that would be unique to Shadow.

As mentioned in the game’s prologue, Shadow was engineered to be a superior being. That being the case, you have access to abilities like freezing time. It’s a fantastic mechanic that adds a really good wrinkle to the platforming that you have to do. I’m getting ahead of myself.

Surprisingly, I had an easier time adjusting to Shadow Generations. Overall, I felt the stages and obstacles were better paced compared to the Modern Sonic counterpart.

The level design was clearer, and it was relatively easier to see and figure out the different routes available to you throughout the stages. I even retried stages a couple of times to see which path would yield the faster result.

It’s not necessarily easier. In fact, you’re having to juggle more things as Shadow vs as Modern Sonic. But the way the stages are laid out, it was easier to time certain button presses.

There are also stages where you really have to decide which route to take and it’s not just the straightforward quick decision that you usually do. Some of it will have you launching Shadow from one area to another to grab collectibles or, ultimately, finish the stage faster.

Is this your GameMatch?

We’re embracing our matchmaking ways and rating games as varying degrees of Swipe Left, Swipe Right, or Super Swipe. Sonic x Shadow Generations is definitely a Swipe Right.

Sonic x Shadow Generations offers a unique blend of Sonic-style speedy platforming experience. There’s enough here both for newcomers and experienced Sonic game players. The stages are challenging without being overly frustrating. In fact, they’re so good, you don’t feel too much of a fatigue from running through the stage again to see if you can beat your own score or rating.

For dedicated Sonic fans, this might even be a Super Swipe. There’s enough replayability and unique to Sonic and Shadow mechanics here to add it as one of the best platformers in your game library.

Related Topics:SEGA Shadow Sonic Sonic X Shadow Generations

Gaming

CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION physical edition now available for Switch 2

Zack Fair’s story comes to Switch 2.

Published

September 24, 2026

GadgetMatch

Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia and SQUARE ENIX have released the physical edition of CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION for Nintendo Switch 2 in Southeast Asia.

Players can also purchase the game digitally on the platform. Availability may vary by region and retailer.

Zack Fair’s story returns

Set in the mako-powered metropolis of Midgar, CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION follows Zack Fair, a young operative in Shinra’s elite SOLDIER unit.

Zack investigates the mysterious disappearance of SOLDIER operatives alongside his mentor, Angeal, and the legendary Sephiroth. His journey reveals the events that shaped the world of FINAL FANTASY VII and his connection to Cloud Strife.

The game revisits Zack’s story with an HD graphical overhaul of its character models, user interface, and environments. It also features fully voiced dialogue in English and Japanese, alongside an updated action-combat system.

Players can trigger Limit Breaks and Summons as they battle their way through the story. The game also supports handheld and docked play on Nintendo Switch 2.

A look back at Zack’s legacy

Originally released as a remaster of the PSP classic, CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION offers a refreshed take on one of the franchise’s most significant prequel stories.

In our GadgetMatch review, we explored how the remaster brings Zack Fair’s journey to modern platforms while preserving the emotional core of his story.

The release also gives players another way to experience the events leading into FINAL FANTASY VII, ahead of the upcoming FINAL FANTASY VII REVELATION, the third and final entry in the FINAL FANTASY VII Remake series.

For more information about CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION and other Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia titles, visit the official website.

Gaming

Dune: Awakening makes it way to the PS5 and Xbox Series X

Surviving the harsh land of Arrakis one sandstorm and bloodlust at a time

Published

September 22, 2026

Gab Orlina

Back in June of 2025, Funcom released its multi-nominated open world survival game, Dune: Awakening. Inspired by the renowned movie franchise, the game takes place within the deserts of Arrakis as players survive and thrive through intense combat and strategic decision making. Now, in the big 2026, Funcom is finally bringing that experience to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S players as Dune: Awakening officially launches on console!

For the newbies finally getting it on console, here’s all you need to know:

Take the lead or do it together

Dune: Awakening takes you into the desolate land of Arrakis, and gives you the option to do it on Single Player or Multiplayer upfront. Through your own bidding in strategy, combat, and resource management, your goals are simple: survive the terrain, make more allies than enemies, and conquer the land through your affiliation to the powers that be.

This version of the game is as exact and as one-to-one as it possibly could with the PC version released last year, down to the story arcs, quests, and PvE/PvP areas you take on. Since launch, Funcom has introduced new weapons, areas, and cosmetics through DLCs that will be available to console players, as well. Also, several key features in story and mission progression that have changed on the PC version will take into effect.

If you want to engage with multiplayer, it is still a viable option when you want to gather more resources and reinforce your bases against other players and the natural elements. However, you still won’t be able to host your own server on a console just yet, as it is more stable to do so on the PC version.

Become whoever and whatever to survive

Character customization became the game’s bread and butter through its extensively library of features and unique take on story progression. As you begin your journey, Lady Jessica welcomes you in and asks you on your origin story, mentorship, and initial skill set — all of which are to your choosing based on your play style. Honestly, none of these completely influence the difficulty in progressing the story too much but it will give you full control of the experience.

As you progress further into the game, you will unlock more skills and abilities to aid you in your quest for power and survival. These will help you earn XP, along with accomplishing tasks, gathering resources and researching newer technologies, plus engaging in combat both within the PvE and PvP areas. Ultimately, you and, potentially, other players must build enough rapport and influence to shape the world of Arrakis to your liking.

Consistent visual expectations

For most players on the PC version, graphical fidelity relied heavily on the hardware of choice. When transitioning the game into a console-friendly environment, Funcom worked out the details seamlessly by adding a Performance and Quality mode. In this fashion, you can opt for crystal-clear graphics at a decent 30 FPS or go for a constant 60 FPS to keep up with the action.

Left: Performance | Right: Quality

No matter which mode you choose, the overall visual identity of the game doesn’t change drastically. Environments look rich and vibrant, while the tiniest of details within character models are preserved. Although, given frame rate differences, rendering of background elements also reflects that but it won’t ruin the gaming experience.

Dune: Awakening will be available on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on September 22. For Xbox Game Pass owners, this will also be a Day One release with Play Anywhere support and cross-play within Xbox and PC players upon launch.

Funcom has also planned an exciting map update later this year plus potential DLC tie-ins to the upcoming Dune: Part Three theatrical release in December.

Gaming

Valve unveils price of the Steam Frame

The VR headset starts at US$ 1,059.

Published

September 15, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The trifecta is complete. Almost a year after announcing their new hardware, Valve has finally unveiled the price tag of the Steam Frame, complementing the Steam Machine and Steam Controller revealed a few months ago.

Whereas the Steam Machine is a console of its own, the Steam Frame is a traditional VR headset with a pair of controllers for both hands. Unfortunately, despite being in a different segment, the headset is not immune to the rising prices of technology. The Steam Frame will start at US$ 1,059 for a 256GB model and can go up to US$ 1,299 for the 1TB model. On the plus side, each box will come Half-Life: Alyx packaged along with the headset.

Here’s a more detailed rundown of what you’re getting. The Steam Frame will ship with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, paired with 16GB of RAM. Each eye comes with a 2160 x 2160 LCD screen, putting out images at up t0 a 144Hz experimental refresh rate. As mentioned above, the headset will start with 256GB of storage but can go up to 2TB. It will come packaged with SteamOS 3 and a rechargeable 21.6Wh battery.

This might be a hard buy for some. The industry currently has more affordable options, for one. Also, virtual reality isn’t the most thriving segment of gaming today.

If you’re still decided on buying one, however, Valve is using its lottery system. Interested customers can sign up from now until September 17. The company will then randomize the purchasing order. Those who draw the first ones in the lottery can get a purchase email as soon as September 18. Meanwhile, anyone who registers after September 17 will automatically be put at the back of the queue.