Shadow the Hedgehog (xbox,gamecube and ps2) THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE GAMECUBE VERSION SCORE 7.5/10 CONTROLS 5/10 They are simple enough to learn mind you, and the set up makes sense except, the characters either don't turn fast enough sometimes or dont respond to your button pressess. I found myself repeating stages becuase Shadow wouldnt move left or right fast enough but he'd move pretty fast forward. STORY 6/10 This game has a "choose-your-way" kinda of story. Depending on how you play the story will be effected. While this is a cool idea,it means that nothing is really cannon except the very beginning and very ending cinamatics. I did like that it finally explains if shadow was the real Shadow from SA2 or not(Wont tell you becuase that would be spoilers). Some scenes contradict the actual cannon storyline present from sa2 and up. For instance there is a stage where you partner with Maria, She's long been deseased, the stage was to be a flashback yet shadow knew everything of the ark insident beyond that flashback and was seemingly trying to rescue Maria from it ever happening as if he traveled back in time. While this was a good idea i felt it could have been played out better with a bit more realavence to the plot, for instance show us that it was dream or something? VISUALS 7/10 Graphics were kinda of plasticy, and seemingly outdated for the end of the gamecube/xbox/ps2 era. Not alot of detail in many of the stages leaving everything looking flat. The CG cinimatics were spot on though looking very well rendered, and the characters lip movements synced up with the Voice work for the most part. This game appears to use a modified Sonic Heroes engine for visuals. SOUND/MUSIC 7/10 The music was moody and kind of Angtsy/Emo, i really only liked 2 songs fromthis game the rest bored me. "What I'm Made of" and "I am" were the only songs I actally liked. They were your standard Sonic adventureish styled music preformed by Crush 40. I can't really remember any of the BG music for any of the stages so they werent memerable. Lotsa of people seemed to have liked the OST released for this game. But most of the songs just aren't in my tatses. reguardlesa there were 1 or 2 songs i did enjoy. ANY FLAWS? Controls don't seem to respond to well when attempting to turn. Graphics looked to Sonic Heroes-esque, leaving little detail. A choose-your-own-way story teling style leaves most of the story completely uncannon with the rest of the sonic storyline. REPLAY 8/10 This game has tons paths which you can take each giving you a new ending (12 endings total). Over 300 or more paths you can take whch will change the story depending on how you play. This gives way for alot of hours on this game. OVERALL 7.5/10 The rundown is, This game is very shadowy (the character's personality). Many people complained about shadow getting guns in this game. I found them rather useful in completing it. The graphics are okay but not very detailed and remind me of Sonic Hereos. The music featured is almost movie quality and seems to fit the situation but it often comes off as being very moody/emo. The "Why me, my life sucks" kinda of deal. 1 or 2 songs were good though lifting your spirits during this game. Over all it does have a lot of replay value. ITs a love it/Hate it sort of game. Me i just "liked it" but i didnt"love it" It'll be interesting to see whats to come in the sonic universe next gen.