Shadow the Hedgehog (video game)

Shadow the Hedgehog
Developer(s)	Sega Studios USA
Publisher(s)	Sega
Director(s)	Takashi Iizuka
Producer(s)	Yuji Naka
Designer(s)	Takashi Iizuka
Programmer(s)	Takeshi Sakakibara
Artist(s)	Kazuyuki Hoshino
Writer(s)	Takashi Iizuka
Composer(s)	Jun Senoue Yutaka Minobe Tomoya Ohtani Mariko Nanba
Series	Sonic the Hedgehog
Engine	RenderWare
Platform(s)	GameCube PlayStation 2 Xbox
Release	NA: November 15, 2005 EU: November 18, 2005 JP: December 15, 2005
Genre(s)	Platform, third-person shooter
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Shadow the Hedgehog^[a] is a 2005 platform game developed by Sega Studios USA and published by Sega. It is a spin-off from the Sonic the Hedgehog series starring the character Shadow. It follows the amnesiac Shadow's attempts to learn about his past during an alien invasion. Gameplay is similar to previous Sonic games, featuring fast-paced platforming and ring collecting, but introduces third-person shooter and nonlinear elements. Shadow uses a variety of weapons to defeat enemies and complete missions that determine the plot and playable levels.

Sega Studios USA chose to make a game featuring Shadow to capitalize on his popularity and resolve plot mysteries that began with his introduction in Sonic Adventure 2 (2001). Shadow the Hedgehog was written and directed by Takashi Iizuka and produced by Yuji Naka, with music by Jun Senoue. Iizuka strove to attract an older audience; Shadow's character allowed the team to use a darker tone and elements otherwise considered inappropriate for the series.

Shadow the Hedgehog was revealed at the March 2005 Walk of Game event. It was released for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox in North America and Europe in November 2005 and in Japan in December. It received generally unfavorable reviews from critics, who criticized its controls, mature themes, level design, and addition of guns and other weapons to traditional Sonic gameplay. However, some praised its replay value, and the game was commercially successful, selling 2.06 million copies by March 2007. Over time, the game has developed a cult following.^[1]

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