Alright, so Shadow the Hedgehog on Genesis—yeah, the one where Sonic’s broody rival finally gets his own game. You’re blasting through levels with guns (yes, guns) and Chaos powers, which honestly feels weird at first if you’re used to just spin-dashing through loops. But it grows on you.

The levels are darker than Sonic’s usual fare—more industrial zones, alien landscapes, and a surprising amount of moral choices (save civilians or ignore them? Classic Shadow dilemma). The speed’s still there, but mixed with combat that actually makes you stop sometimes. Weirdly, it works.

If you’re into the edgier side of the Sonic universe or just want to see Shadow do his thing without Sonic stealing the spotlight, this one’s a solid pick. Just don’t expect it to play exactly like the classics.