Shadow before Shadow the Hedgehog 2005 and after

[Kuzu]

I guess the base was already starting to break for while, but only tore apart fully when ShtH came out.

The Base was broken long before the series went 3D, it was just as pronounced as it is now.

[Blazey Firekitty]

The Base was broken long before the series went 3D, it was just as pronounced as it is now.

So, I guess it all goes back to Sega's localization practices that gave the franchise international multiple personality disorder? XD

[Kuzu]

So, I guess it all goes back to Sega's localization practices that gave the franchise international multiple personality disorder? XD

As soon as they decided to give Sonic two different canons in the US, and Japan, yeah it was broken. There are people to this day that argue that the games should be like SATAM(And by extension Archie).

[ThatGuyJay]

I think it's funny that people use to say Sega never listens to the fan when the fans wanting him was one of the factors that brought Shadow back.

[Kuzu]

I think it's funny that people use to say Sega never listens to the fan when the fans wanting him was one of the factors that brought Shadow back.

Listening to the wrong fans, really shouldn't count.

[CrownSlayers Shadow]

I think it's funny that people use to say Sega never listens to the fan when the fans wanting him was one of the factors that brought Shadow back.

And Classic Sonic. Don't forget him.

And there's Sonic 4.

[Blazey Firekitty]

As soon as they decided to give Sonic two different canons in the US, and Japan, yeah it was broken. There are people to this day that argue that the games should be like SATAM(And by extension Archie).

That's part of why I find the Fleetway comic so interesting...It seems like a nice middle ground between the Japanese game manuals and the SatAM mythos.

[w00tkins]

I personally liked his personality in Heroes. Yes, it did start the whole amnesia plot that people weren't happy with, but back then he didn't stop and brood about his past all the time, he took action and had fun while asking the doctor when the opportunity just so arose.

Yes, I agree. He seemed more curious about his past rather than angsty about it. He wanted to learn more about himself but he wasn't all >:[ . The way he joked around with Rouge at the end of Team Dark's story shows this. I think David Humphrey's voice acting helped a lot too.

[Dr. Crusher]

I'm starting to grow slightly more fond of him recently.

Still my third least favourite behind Mephiles and Nega, but I'm definitely getting softer on him.

For the record, I was never a big Shadow fan either. Always preferred Metal and Mecha for "anti Sonics".

Edited November 10, 2011 by Dr. Crusher

[Winston]

Either way, I'm not completely against the notion that the fans had an influenced in it, but when you go mocking them like Future-Hedgehog did, then it's a problem.

Edited November 10, 2011 by Future-Hedgehog

[PSI Wind]

Though the Shadow game is a VERY big split for either liking it or hating the game (I personally liked it), the fans can agree that the game drastically changed Shadow's character in a good way. Honestly, he had the only good story in Sonic 06 because of how much his personality changed. He no longer looks in the past, only the future.

Edited November 10, 2011 by Darkspine Inferno

[Nepenthe]

Listening to the wrong fans, really shouldn't count.

[Kuzu]

Though the Shadow game is a VERY big split for either liking it or hating the game (I personally liked it), the fans can agree that the game drastically changed Shadow's character in a good way. Honestly, he had the only good story in Sonic 06 because of how much his personality changed. He no longer looks in the past, only the future.

[CrownSlayers Shadow]

I never meant it like that. I'm not even speaking about fans that like Shadow, I'm talking about the type of fans that are still saying "BRING CLASIK SONIK BACK, IT WILL SAVEZ ZAH SERIEHS FOREVAH!" If I said it in a way that offended anybody, I apologize.

[Nerfuffle]

It makes me wonder how different the reception would have been if they decided to make ShtH star Eggman instead (with an appropriate change of title course) Not just for that one character, but for the entire cast and franchise.

The “villain is the protagonist” idea wouldn’t have been original, and without the time and resources it still would have turned out as a rushed game, but I think it would have made a heck of a lot more sense in the grand scheme of things.

-Musical numbers for Robotnik generally have this sense of egotism. You can always rely on Robotnik to burst into the scene with a wide grin, an evil laugh, and an upbeat attitude, even if he generally hasn’t been depicted as a convincingly threatening villain in the past. So all the clips of the buildings blowing up, Sonic being defeated, the giant war going on; adding him into the picture could have made all those scenes feel maniacal and chaotic instead of a part of something trying too hard to impress. With the world being so grim and destitute, Eggman’s goofyness and optimism could turn out to be strangely admirable traits.

-Having the characters be screechy voiced idiots who gush about love and friendship would have been somewhat forgivable since the game would have been in Eggman’s perspective. Though, the idea of them being tutorial characters wouldn't make a lick of sense, unless Robotnik has one heck of a silver tongue.

-Everyone knows Robotnik can’t win, so those multiple endings involving the destruction/takeover of the earth would have been seen as creepy "what if" scenarios in the event any of his different schemes ever worked. It would also give developers a good chance to depict Eggman as a legitimate threat, and therefore make Sonic and co. seem more heroic in later games.

- Shadow probably would have been kept somewhat mysterious instead of the writers trying too hard to make players feel sympathy for him and tacking on pointless details to his back story. Eggman searching for Shadow could have lead to interesting interactions as well.

-Of course Eggman drives in vehicles and uses lasers anyway, so it would be less of a stretch to imagine him stealing weapons from fallen enemies for kicks. Though I can’t keep a straight face thinking of Eggman riding around in that motorcycle. Wario?

On the downside, the rushed script and impossible deadlines would probably lead to Robotnik being a cyborg, alien, clone, on a path to redemption..... some how.

[Mega]

I also like how Shadow was... almost upbeat in Heroes. He wanted to know about his past, but that didn't stop him from acting cocky and confident, even having some pretty corny lines.

But my favorite portrayal is his SA2 personality. He gets downright angry and serious about his revenge, but that doesn't stop him from having a nice air of confidence on the surface and even mocking Sonic ("I'm the coolest!") and his other foes. His character arc developed over the course of the game, and he felt pretty well rounded for an anti hero archetype.

But after Heroes, I feel like they made him too serious. He lost that snarky confidence that made him fun in Heroes and SA2, replacing it with a kinda deadpan attitude.

[Chaos Nightmare Moon]

I liked how Shadow was in command of every situation in 06, like against Silver he saved Sonic's arse and made Silver work with him to save the scepter of darkness. I like more of that Shadow, he was always struck me as a leader of sorts.

[SuperStingray]

It always pains me how Shadow's worst portrayal was intended to be his most important one. The only games I didn't like Shadow in were Heroes (forgivable but forgettable) and his own title. I still maintain that his storyline was the best thing out of 06, despite how much that sounds like "the best thing about tepid mayonnaise is that it's not rotten yet" and that he was one of the personalities in Chronicles that was "hit" and not "miss." But aside from the reason he was popular to begin with, SA2, I think Shadow's best portrayal by far was in Battle, and I think most of that came from the context of the plot. Despite being a robot, Emerl was probably one of the most human characters in the series. He was in the same boat as Shadow: built as a weapon, now trying to understand his identity and purpose. Having someone like that around made it possible to elicit more natural emotions from Shadow.

[Speederino]

I'm indifferent to him. I liked him just as much as Tails or Knuckles back when I was 11, but now...meh. He just feels so unnecessary these days, like he's just kind of there without any real purpose. So while I'm not really requesting him to return in every game, I don't throw a tantrum if he shows up.

[Onyx Leo]

I definitely think Shadow's gotten better in recent times. While his portrayal in Battle was my absolute favorite, I'm glad that he seemed to be hamming up his arrogant personality more in Free Riders.

[lounge]

I was really happy that he returned. I agree with Nepenthe. Wanting him to return doesn't mean we're bad fans. Just look at DBZ as an example. I too liked his personality in Heroes. Serious but also able to have fun. The first line in Casino Park from him is "Cool City!" I like that. But they shouldn't go over the top with the ass attitude like in Free Riders. That was too much.

And please for the love of Christ Sega PLEASE change his voice!

[batson]

And please for the love of Christ Sega PLEASE change his voice!

The thing about Shadow's new voice is that the voice itself is perfectly fine, but the actor for some reason chooses to read his lines in a really odd way that makes Shadow sound bored and/or on some kind of sedative and/or slightly brain damaged.

[Kuzu]

The thing about Shadow's new voice is that the voice itself is perfectly fine, but the actor for some reason chooses to read his lines in a really odd way that makes Shadow sound bored and/or on some kind of sedative and/or slightly brain damaged.

Then its perfect, I mean has Shadow ever sounded excited when he talks?

[Rynnec]

Well, he does have his moments of hamminess. ("I promise you...REVENGE!") or need I remind you of "Lets get MOVING!" or his medieviei counterparts "I HAAAVE FAAAILED!"?

Edited November 12, 2011 by Rynnec

[Kuzu]

Well, he does have his moments of hamminess. ("I promise you...REVENGE!") or need I remind you of "Lets get MOVING!" or his medieviei counterparts "I HAAAVE FAAAILED!"?

True, but they're usually small and in between.