A Tokyo Drift – Shadow Generations ‘Sonic 3 Movie Pack’ Review

Releasing on the eve of the 2024 Game Awards, Sonic X Shadow Generations‘ first major DLC was released. Featuring Keanu’s version of Shadow from Sonic 3 (2024), he runs through a realistic Tokyo.

Including one full Act and two challenge acts, this short but action-packed romp is now playable for all versions of Sonic X Shadow Generations. After playing through the level a few times, I must explain why it’s so cool and a great way to get excited for Sonic 3 (2024) on December 20th.

Publisher/Developer: SEGA/Sonic Team
Platforms: Nintendo Switch & Switch 2, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S, PC (Steam), Xbox One
Price: $5.99 for Standalone DLC, $11.99 for Digital Deluxe Upgrade Pack
Release Date: December 14th, 2024
Reviewed On: PC (Steam)

Premise of the DLC

Upon booting up Shadow Generations, players are greeted by a new cut-scene, showing Shadow picking up a ring. The ring isn’t normal, but a ‘warp’ ring that Sonic can use in the Sonic Movie franchise. Opening a portal to an unknown location, Shadow is transported to Tokyo.

Surprisingly, Shadow realizes he is sporting a new look and retains most of his abilities (aka no Doom Powers). Seeing a G.U.N. helicopter in the sky, he gives chase, looking for a way to resume his mission.

Level Progression of the Sonic 3 Movie Pack

The level is an action-packed experience. Tokyo Act 1 follows a similar design mentality to the main-game levels, offering a standard path, with many branching paths accessible with smart platforming skills and good timing with your Boost, Chaos Spear, and Chaos Control powers.

My favorite parts of the level have to be the mid-level cinematics, as Shadow performs amazing feats. One of them has Shadow avoiding missile fire and then kicking one of the missiles, using it to boost himself into the air to aim a careful Chaos Spear, knocking the G.U.N. copter out of the sky. He even saves a soldier before jumping off the copter, posing coolly before tuck-and-rolling back to the main path.

Alongside this awesome main level, there are two smaller challenge acts, lasting about one to two minutes each. They aren’t much, but they highlight some alternate pathways players could take for repeated runs in the main level.

The Dark Green Hill – ‘Westopolis’ Remix

The track ‘Westopolis’ received a killer remix for Tokyo Act 1 and the two Challenge Acts. This remix was originally played live at TGS 2024. Many thought, myself included, that it would be used for a proper Westopolis Zone in Shadow Generations.

Kicking off the track is this haunting choir, timed perfectly for when Shadow enters the zone. It reflects his thoughts on how unfamiliar this city is to him, while also reminding him of one specific city he sped across many years ago.

A new addition to the song is a unique implementation of the drums and a bit-crushed-like sound for the middle portion of the track. It adds a new beat to an iconic level for the Sonic series.

Keanu the Hedgehog – Keanu’s Performance as Shadow

The DLC isn’t very long, only containing Act 1 and two additional Challenge Acts, meaning Keanu doesn’t have much to say. But what he does say offers what I would consider a mixed performance.

SEGA only recently started taking voice direction seriously for Sonic projects, with Sonic Frontiers and Shadow Generations being positive examples. However, both were projects with a higher budget than a mere DLC level.

This is somewhat reflected in Kenau’s performance as Shadow, as it’s very likely he did his takes before filming for Sonic 3 (2024) or without the voice direction crew from the film. Some of his lines sound awesome, like during the mid-level cinematics, and when the level begins.

But his in-level dialog is quiet-sounding, and the sound effect voice acting (when Shadow jumps and the like) could’ve gotten a second take. Overall, I liked his performance here and am still hyped to see him play Shadow in Sonic 3 (2024), but it’s clear this DLC isn’t his best performance as the character.

Closing Thoughts

While not my favorite level out of everything in Shadow Generations, it was a fantastic treat to play through Sonic 3 (2024)’s take on Tokyo. It’s a level that looks visually striking and offers an amazing remix. In addition, the set-pieces showcase Sonic Team flexing their animation chops, and the multiple paths make revisiting this level fun.

I recommend this experience if you own Sonic X Shadow Generations. The game is out on PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The Sonic Movie 3 Pack is $5.99, and the DLC is included in the Digital Deluxe Edition of Sonic X Shadow Generations.

Score: 7.5 out of 10

This DLC was reviewed using a copy purchased by the reviewer.

Pros:

• Strong presentation and animation work for set-pieces.
• Good narrative set-up for Shadow’s appearance in the Movie universe.
• The level & two bonus missions are fun to play through.
• The music remix for ‘Westopolis’ is well done.

Cons:

• Keanu’s performance as Shadow is lackluster compared to the film.
• Only a single act to play through.