User Score
6.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 226 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 60 out of 226
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  1. PhillipM.
    Nov 23, 2005
    10
    Of couse i'm a sega fan. But the game actually shows shadows true personality. It really gets the gamers thinking hard.
  2. [Anonymous]
    Jul 14, 2006
    10
    One of the best sonic games ever, Shadow the hedgehog gives a new meaning to the word "fun", which anybody who gave it about 70% or below may have lost their sense of. This is to all those who scraped or otherwise brutaliated this game. Get a life.
  3. Dec 31, 2011
    10
    I played this game when it first came and, and I was astounded by the stunning gameplay, and overall feel of the game. It allowed you to feel the power that Shadow the Hedgehog had under his control, and it shifted the camera from Sonic, to the darker Shadow. As you can see, this is a very new review, and I just played it again for Nostalgia. It has held up to everything I remembered.I played this game when it first came and, and I was astounded by the stunning gameplay, and overall feel of the game. It allowed you to feel the power that Shadow the Hedgehog had under his control, and it shifted the camera from Sonic, to the darker Shadow. As you can see, this is a very new review, and I just played it again for Nostalgia. It has held up to everything I remembered. Giving you a choice for each level, along with so many endings, and final levels. Shadow the Hedgehog, back when it first came out, left me longing for another game centered on Shadow, and when I replayed it, it gave me the same feeling. Why wasn't a sequel made for this game? Expand
  4. Nov 24, 2013
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is not supposed to be a SONIC GAME! its a 3dplatformer with great gameplay and ok graphics.Story is good and Shadow as a character is way better then Sonic. So...ALL HAIL SHADOW!!!!! Expand
  5. Jun 1, 2014
    10
    Ok let me say this. Shadow the hedgehog is the most underrated game i ever played. People think its bad because its... different! People are sayin that this game is slipperier than sonic heroes. That is bulls*it. Sonic heroes was slippery as s*it and shadow is much easier to play. Graphics are nothin special but graphics dont mind if game plays well. And shadow the hedgehog plays great. IOk let me say this. Shadow the hedgehog is the most underrated game i ever played. People think its bad because its... different! People are sayin that this game is slipperier than sonic heroes. That is bulls*it. Sonic heroes was slippery as s*it and shadow is much easier to play. Graphics are nothin special but graphics dont mind if game plays well. And shadow the hedgehog plays great. I had so much fun playing it. Story is hard to understeand unless you are hardcore shadow fan like me. Only thing i hate about this game are levels with Maria. I didnt know where the fu*k was i goin. But thats only problem i had with this game. Overall its must buy for shadow fans and cobanermani456 if you are reading this.... Dont be an **** and stop saying this game is sh*t. If you defended sonic lost world then dont **** about shadow. There are alot of people who loves this game you know... Expand
  6. Feb 3, 2015
    10
    This game is AMAZING. It is so good that I cry every time that opening theme starts playing. It is a true work of art. The graphics, gameplay and art style are perfect. 10 out of 10.
  7. Apr 11, 2015
    10
    Shadow has a gun. There is cursing. What's not to love? As a kid I also loved the multiplayer, it was stellar with so much variety! I wish I still had my copy.
  8. Apr 19, 2015
    10
    Mannnn, Shadow is like the coolest character/10. Hes2 cool!!1!!>2!!@! After all, he says damn and has guns. WOW, so cool i cant even contain myself. the plots? amazing. characters? amazing. The gameplay? amazing
  9. Oct 18, 2016
    10
    It makes me kind of sad to see how many people can hate this game. Seriously, this game is great, especially for emos like me. The gameplay is really fun, you get to go really fast and shoot people. I love violence so I had a blast. Shadow is a really well made character, with a very disturbing past that reminded me of myself. I also like how he curses. It shows how mature he is. Overall,It makes me kind of sad to see how many people can hate this game. Seriously, this game is great, especially for emos like me. The gameplay is really fun, you get to go really fast and shoot people. I love violence so I had a blast. Shadow is a really well made character, with a very disturbing past that reminded me of myself. I also like how he curses. It shows how mature he is. Overall, great game, especially if you're an emo like me. I hope people learn to stop being so intolerant of emo culture and accept this game for the gem it is. Expand
  10. Oct 19, 2016
    10
    WARNING! DO NOT LET YOUR KIDS PLAY THIS!!! IT'S FOR EMOS ONLY!!! I AM NOT EMO SO I STOPPED PLAYING BECAUSE THERE IS CURSING AND GUNS BUT IF YOU ARE EMO THEN I DON'T MIND I DON'T WANT YOU TO THINK I'M EMOPHOBIC!!! GOOD GAME BUT ONLY IF EMO!!!!1

    Sorry if that was too dramatic but I really want people to know. This game was made for emos so they don't feel hated. But if you aren't emo
    WARNING! DO NOT LET YOUR KIDS PLAY THIS!!! IT'S FOR EMOS ONLY!!! I AM NOT EMO SO I STOPPED PLAYING BECAUSE THERE IS CURSING AND GUNS BUT IF YOU ARE EMO THEN I DON'T MIND I DON'T WANT YOU TO THINK I'M EMOPHOBIC!!! GOOD GAME BUT ONLY IF EMO!!!!1

    Sorry if that was too dramatic but I really want people to know. This game was made for emos so they don't feel hated. But if you aren't emo don't play it has mature themes like the d word and guns.
    Expand
  11. Dec 31, 2017
    10
    Dont Listen To The Noob Sonic Fans Who Doesnt Like Anything Sega Makes For Them This Game Is Great People Hate It For Dumb Reasons The Camera Is Bad (Sometimes) But The Rest Is Great 10/10
  12. May 20, 2018
    10
    This game deserves more credit. It has multiple endings, a deep story, and great game play. So what if Shadow has a gun. Shadow is an edgy character, it makes sense for him to have a gun. The only bad thing is the camera controls, but you get used to it.
  13. May 7, 2018
    10
    Great game. Good graphics. Storyline mechanic adds a lot of replay value. The gameplay style all suits Shadow's character. Countless hours of fun.
  14. Oct 20, 2019
    10
    Shadow the Hedgehog is a fun platformer for casual gamers and Sonic fans. The choice between being a hero or a villain makes for an engaging storyline. The level design is solid and I recommend it to everyone.
  15. Jun 15, 2018
    10
    Absolute masterpiece of a game. 11 total endings and the edge factor. 10/10
  16. Feb 15, 2019
    10
    This is an edge masterpiece, I could never even imagine that such a fine gem could be even close to the sonic franchise. The more I get to know how edgy this was, how much emo and goth references there were just makes me laugh. This is truly beautiful, I hope they revive the franchise so that we could have a good laugh.
  17. Jan 6, 2020
    10
    Que wea más buena ctm juego culiao de las manifestaciones y wea a lo vio siono shadow comunista
  18. Jun 28, 2020
    10
    I find the general review very unfair, the truth is that it is a great game, the best spin-off of Sonic. It is a Sonic Heroes with more Mechanics, More graphics, more Action, and a better gameplay sincerely ... The truth is that it is excellent in history, and the design of the levels, enemies and bosses is, wow, impress ... Better Spin-Off. This is how dark the new Sonic games should be,I find the general review very unfair, the truth is that it is a great game, the best spin-off of Sonic. It is a Sonic Heroes with more Mechanics, More graphics, more Action, and a better gameplay sincerely ... The truth is that it is excellent in history, and the design of the levels, enemies and bosses is, wow, impress ... Better Spin-Off. This is how dark the new Sonic games should be, LOL. Very very enjoyable, I recommend it! Expand
  19. May 3, 2021
    10
    I love the music, the fear, the action, the story, the branching plots, and Eggman.
  20. Jul 11, 2021
    10
    I love this game first i play on GameCube soo its soooooo good game i love it
  21. Aug 20, 2022
    10
    This game is super underrated and i love it
    Gameplay 8/10
    Soundtrack 10/10
    Plot 10/10
  22. Nov 9, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Although the guns, language and violence, surprisingly.. this game is REALLY fun to play! With shadow retuning with his PEGI age rating from 3-7+ to 12+, you would expect it would be all the edge, or should I say.. all the hedge..hog. The game starts off on a great start, Westopolis, with the amazing soundtrack. Shadow The Hedgehog’s attacks in the game are: Punch, Kick, Spindash, light speed dash and a homing attack, this game also has a Dark and Hero story path, where drafting Gun Soldiers goes the hero route, while killing the gun soldiers gives you the dark path. The game has a great sense of speed, with a buttery smooth 60fps (not on PS2 lol) makes it feel amazing to play. This game may not be the best received, but it holds and amazing place in my heart Expand
  23. Nov 10, 2022
    10
    Shadow the hedgehog 2
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  24. Sep 8, 2023
    10
    Treasure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  25. SamuelC.
    Jul 9, 2006
    9
    I understand that it's sometimes hard to control Shadow because of the controls, but this is a problem that can easily be forgotten due to great level design and the originality of finding the character's personality. Yes the game has guns and has nothing to do with the other Sonic games, but this is another type of game by Sega. Try it. You'll be happy.
  26. JenR.
    Mar 11, 2006
    9
    I admit, the controls can be a little difficult and sometimes very frustrating, but the only reason I have this game in my collection is because of Shadow's story. I had been a fan of that hedgehog since Sonic Adventure 2 and always will be.
  27. Sep 10, 2011
    9
    Shadow is the most badass animal in gaming to me and though this plot has been nitpicked to death but i find it an interesting plot and this game also introduces one of the most awesome villains in the sonic franchise, Black Doom, which take a guess at who voiced him, you will never get it. The voice of Goku in Dragonball Z
  28. Sep 16, 2013
    9
    Why is this such a bad game????? The gameplay is fine the graphics are fine and the story is fine and your gonna rant on it just because shadow has a gun in the game wow people. Sega dont listen to them this game is awesome!
  29. Dec 14, 2016
    9
    While I stopped caring for Sonic the Hedgehog after I discovered the much superior Bubsy franchise. However, you still can't deny the greatness of this game. And if you do, you should be ashamed of yourself. This game is amazing. I don't really need to tell you why, as it has already been said by reviewers such as GRANDDAD. Just try it, you will love it.

Awards & Rankings

75
2
#2 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2005
3
#3 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2005
Metascore
51

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 22
  2. Negative: 10 out of 22
  1. From its stripping down of the series' most successful gameplay elements to its obviously desperate addition of weapons and 'street' cool this is still a product of a development studio with a good imagination. But also, it seems, a lazy one only too happy to jump on the same GTA bandwagon that's currently carrying way too many developers.
  2. AceGamez
    40
    The poor controls, tricky camera and an irritation-filled gaming experience is unfortunately what Shadow the Hedgehog is presented as, and this doesn't deserve to be found under too many Christmas tree's this year.
  3. Nintendo Power
    80
    An enjoyable, high-octane adventure. Naysayers be damned. [Jan 2006, p.111]