Shadow The Hedgehog 2 (RedTheHedgehog140)

Shadow The Hedgehog 2 is a retooling/sequel to the Shadow The Hedgehog spin-off game from 2005, and is the first in the Sonic Rerun trilogy, where SEGA revisits old Sonic spin-off concepts.

Plot
Shadow The Hedgehog 2 takes place 2 years after the events of the first game, and is also non-canon to the Sonic franchise.

General
Unlike the first game, Shadow The Hedgehog 2 incorporates more Hack and Slash/Beat-Em Up elements into the Adventure-style Sonic gameplay. Being developed by Platinum Games, known for the Bayonetta Series and Metal Gear Rising: Revengance (Along with being composed of past developers of the Devil May Cry series), it contributes elements from both styles of gameplay in a way that doesn't favor one style over the other. You have access to jumping, the Homing Attack, and the Spin Dash, but can also access a gun button, which allows you to use the gun you are currently holding, a melee button, allowing to do Melee attack combos, and a Chaos button, allowing for Chaos based attacks, at the cost of meter. You also have access to a Map at the bottom right of the screen, leading you to be able to complete missions easier, which a lack of a map was a common criticism of the first game.

Platforming
The platforming aspects of Shadow The Hedgehog 2 is more in line with the Adventure series compared to the Modern boost games.

Style Switching
In similar vein to the Devil May Cry series, Shadow can switch between 4 main styles that amplify attacks or movement options at the beginning of each mission. Upgrades can be spent by using rings.
 * Gun Shooter: Have more abilities and special options for Guns.
 * Level 1: Ammo Upgrade (Increase the amount of Ammo)
 * Level 2: Arsenal Upgrade (Increase weapons held from 3 to 4)
 * Level 3: Style Shot (Do more flashy weapon shots)
 * Level 4: Arsenal Upgrade 2.0 (Increase weapons held from 4 to 5)
 * Level 5: Dual Wielding (Use two weapons at the same time.)
 * Level 6: Ammo Upgrade 2.0 (Increase the amount of Ammo)
 * Level 7: Arsenal Upgrade 3.0 (Increase weapons held from 5 to 6)
 * Fighting Fury: Have more special options for Melee attacks.
 * Level 1: Combo Upgrade (Increase Combo Lengths)
 * Level 2: Combo Cancelling (Able to cancel attacks into other attacks)
 * Level 3: 
 * Chaos Specialist: Use more chaos abilities.
 * All Hail Shadow (Unlockable): All 3 styles are usable.

Guns
Like the first game, Shadow can pick up weapons that enemies drop and use them to his advantage. These weapons vary in range, strength, usability, and ammo. Shadow can hold up to 3 weapons at once at the start, but can be upgraded to up to 6 weapons held at once. Here is a list of guns that Shadow can use.

G.U.N-Based Black Arms-Based Eggman-Based Specialty-Based
 * Semi-Automatic Pistol (Default Ammo Number: 15)
 * Shotgun (Default Ammo Number: 10)
 * Sniper Rifle (Default Ammo Number: 20)
 * Automatic Assault Rifle (Default Ammo Number: 30)
 * Chaingun (Default Ammo Number: 60)
 * Rocket Launcher (Default Ammo Number: 5)
 * Black Shot (Default Ammo Number: 15)
 * Black Blaster (Default Ammo Number: 10)
 * Black Scope (Default Ammo Number: 20)
 * Black Explosion (Default Ammo Number: 30)
 * Black Chain (Default Ammo Number: 60)
 * Black Launcher (Default Ammo Number: 5)
 * Egg Shooter (Default Ammo Number: 20)
 * Egg Bullet (Default Ammo Number: 15)
 * Egg Grenade (Default Ammo Number: 7)
 * Ricochet Gun (Default Ammo Number: 40) [Unlocked by completing the Hero story]
 * Laser Blaster (Default Ammo Number: 40) [Unlocked by completing the Neutral story]
 * Black Obliteration (Default Ammo Number: 40) [Unlocked by completing the Dark story]
 * Shadow Rifle (Default Ammo Number: 30) [Unlocked by completing the Final story]
 * Ultimate Gun (Default Ammo Number: 70) [Unlocked by getting S Ranks on all stages]

Ally System
Returning from the first game, there is an Ally system that shifts between the good and the bad.

Characters
Playable Non-Playable
 * Shadow The Hedgehog
 * Rouge The Bat
 * E-123 Omega
 * Dr. Eggman
 * Gerald Robotnik [in flashbacks]
 * Maria Robotnik [in flashbacks]
 * Commander Abraham Tower
 * Xerex
 * Black Doom [in flashbacks]
 * Sonic The Hedgehog
 * Miles "Tails" Prower
 * Knuckles The Echidna
 * Amy Rose
 * Cream The Rabbit
 * Silver The Hedgehog
 * Blaze The Cat
 * Espio The Chameleon
 * Vector The Crocodile
 * Charmy Bee

Stages
Stages in Shadow The Hedgehog 2 depend on the route you take through missions and decisions made in Story Mode.

Universal

 * 1) Westopolis

Hero Path

 * 1) Skyscraper Highway
 * 2) Black Death [Boss]
 * 3) Casino Skyline
 * 4) Path of Happiness
 * 5) Black Jester [Boss]
 * 6) Jungle Ruins
 * 7) Lost Civilization
 * 8) Black Succubus [Boss]
 * 9) Past Memories
 * 10) Corrupted Maria [Boss]
 * 11) Present Time
 * 12) Space Comet
 * 13) Dark Base
 * 14) Xerex [Final Boss]

Neutral Path

 * 1) Emerald Coast
 * 2) Ambition Beach
 * 3) Egg Shark [Boss]
 * 4) Shaded Canyon

Trivia

 * This is considered by fans to be the darkest game in the Sonic The Hedgehog, due to the dark themes, violence, swearing, and even sexual content.
 * Takashi Iizuka teased the game in a 2019 interview before the title was even released. He said in the interview "I want to revisit old concepts in the franchise. Now it might mean I would have to go to outside developers, but that's a risk that's worth taking."
 * The game was originally planned to be revealed at SXSW 2020, but due to the CO-VID 19 outbreak, the game's announcement was pushed to November 2020.
 * In September of 2020, a leaked render of Shadow holding a pistol appeared on the internet, much to the surprise of many. This render would be the official one for the game.
 * The game Recieved an 85 on Metacritic, a 7 on IGN, and a 91 on Famitsu, making it a highly-rated Sonic title.
 * Every version of the game (Aside from the Nintendo Switch version) runs at a smooth 60 frames per second, however, The Switch version is capped at 50, due to limitations of the console.
 * The instrumental for "It Has To Be This Way" from Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is left in the games files. It's unknown why this is the case.
 * The game wasn't originally supposed to be called "Shadow The Hedgehog 2", it went through many names in development, such as "Shadow The Hedgehog: Redemption", "Shadow The Hedgehog: Return", and "Shadow The Hedgehog: Memories", before siding on it's official name. This was due to SEGA's marketing.
 * Maria was originally going to have her old voice actress from Sonic Adventure 2, Moriah Angeline, to reprise her role, but plans fell through, and the roll was given to Erica Mendez instead.