HOME | DD
DanSyron β Shadow Should Have Stayed Dead
Published: 2011-06-05 05:41:46 +0000 UTC; Views: 10273; Favourites: 185; Downloads: 38
Redirect to original
Description
Stamp Request for ~gaarasbestbuddy0 (lol u mad).so i made a journal earlier asking whether or not you thought Shadow the Hedgehog should have remained dead after SA2. I thought yes and here's why. I don't hate the character by any means, but what Sega's done with him recently has really defeated the purpose of his original design.
He was put in SA2 to serve as a rival to Sonic and to provide the underlying drive to the story of how a revenge-filled villain can go from being evil, to becoming the greatest of heroes by sacrificing it all in the end to save the entirety of humanity.
SA2's ending made it so Shadow filled his role to its entirety. You dont need games like Shadow the Hedgehog to go into backstories that only muddy the character.In a sense, everything we need to know about shadow (or all that is necessary for him to be a strong character) seems self contained in SA2. A character that goes from being a vengeful villain to becoming one of the greatest heroes in his final acts is storytelling perfection. Its bittersweet. We hate to see him go but we were overjoyed of what happened while he was here and couldn't ask for any more.
... and then Sega brought him back, completely defeating the purpose.
Yes i know he's a good character, but think of it this way: Not every fantastic movie needs a sequel to be great. Sometimes the best things are the ones we only get for a short time. Then we realize how great it actually is because of how limited and wondrous it is in its prime. It forces you to savor it, and that is what truly makes something memorable.
but hey! money $$$. Yeah... Shadow is one of SEGA's cash cows...
That's my opinion. He should've remained dead. The story seems so much better that way in terms of impact.
short, sweet, and strong.
but this stamp is probably gonna do a decent job at pissing off every shadow cultist here on dA, so come at me bro. Smite me oh mighty smiters!
_______________
Stamp by =DanSyron
original art cap'd from SA2, which is Β© SEGA
Related content
Comments: 275
π: 2 β©: 0
π: 0 β©: 0
So the only reason that you think shadow should of stayed dead is because he is black. Are you a troll? because if you're not a troll it says something about your intelligence. i guess its time to make a black people joke. but i won't.Β
π: 0 β©: 1
π: 0 β©: 0
I couldn't agree more. And it's only gotten worse as of 2014.Β Shadow is easily the most overrated/saturated character in the franchise. I even think he's the most overrated video game character. I use to like Shadow, mostly because he had layers compared to other characters, but as the series progressed and the fanbase progressed his issues stuck out more and I began to dislike him. And no, I'm not basing this solely off hate, as hating doesn't mean overrated, but he's overrated because of how the fanbase treats him. Firstly the rabid fanbase praises him like he's Jesus Christ, anywhere I go rather it'd be Sonictubers, opinions about Sonic whatever (News, Games, Spin-Offs, Ideas etc) Shadow is always mentioned, brought up or just praised in some way, he's always around and everyone always talks about him like he's some kind of holy force. Granted this could be me exaggerating a little bit, but honestly that's how it feels. You can barely go anywhere or do anything Sonic related without having the fanbase talk about how awesome he is or include him in literally everything Sonic related. There's more to the Sonic series than just Shadow guys. You'll be almost hard press to find anyone who's favorite character isn't Shadow, it's as predictable as a poorly done plot twist.Β
I will admit I like Shadow in SA2 and Heroes, but afterwards he just becomes another Sonic character with his complicated story and character arc being finished he doesn't have those layers or depth anymore, he just exists/shows up to do whatever the plot demands him to do simply because fans like seeing him and will gush every time he's onscreen. His motives will change simply due to plot convenience and showcases his inconsistent relevance. (That's what happens when you let a fanbase dictate your relevancy) It's always, Shadow this, Shadow that.Β
This also applies to how the fanbase/Sega treats him which is even more obnoxious. In almost every piece of Sonic fan related topics, rather it'd be game concepts, group fanart or characters fans always place Shadow above everyone, even going as far as to replace other characters than him and act as if those character's have less meaning simply because "Shadow is the best". For example, by this point in the series Amy Rose is pretty much Sonic's official 4th member, yet fans treat Amy as if she's irrelevant or replace her with Shadow constantly, they also do this with Tails, but to a much lesser extent. Fans always replace or overshadow other characters for him just because they want everything to be or have Shadow in it. It also doesn't help that they make characters look bad in comparison just to make Shadow look good. In SegaSuperStar's Tennis he replaces Knuckles while Knuckles just remains as a background cameo.Β
And as of recently (like 2014 onwards) Sega's been doing this same thing where they're using his popularity to sell games/build hype simply because they know people will hype over anything if Shadow's in it, they did this with Sonic Boom, where they revealed him solely because he's popular and fans went nuts over him, only for him to end up as failed fanservice. Β Then in Sonic Forces they made an entire story segment dedicated to him in the form of "Episode Shadow" and it mostly exists just because "Shadow's Hype and people will kill to play as him" he's also made Infinite look worse in comparison to himself which made Infinite have a terrible backstory. And now in Team Sonic Racing he's seen with Sonic and Co, just because "it's Sonic/Shadow racing get hyped".. And in Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Knuckles is made an assist trophy leading to a rumor Shadow will be playable, which is another example of character's getting replaced or shafted by him just to give him spotlight. It also feels as if fans will excuse anything regarding flaws or other opinions simply because they believe Shadow is perfect in every way. (Obviously not all fans are like this, but it's hard to find any that do)
π: 2 β©: 1
Nah, I'm a huge Shadow fan but I agree with this. He would have been happier if he was dead anyway, cause he could see Maria again
π: 2 β©: 0
Lol short sweet and strong..... Did you mean his story in SA2 or Shadow? (Yes i'm aware Shadow and Sonic are the same height)
π: 0 β©: 0
Alright I am Now going to state my opinion
I like Shadow more after his return than before.
And I mean that serious I never got why every one love the sa2 shadow so much he is literally nothing else then Maria's personal bitch.
And hate the version of him that actually have a mind of his own and have other reasons to exist other then to just to what ever a Character that had less then 5 minutes if screen time what him to do.
π: 1 β©: 2
This was a year ago, get over yourself.
π: 0 β©: 0
More like hate the version of him that has no personality and no reason to even be on the games he appears in other than fanservice for Shadow fanboys. He was a much more interesting character in SA2 because of how big of a role his relationship with Maria played in his development, and his death was a great conclusion to his character arc.
They brought him back in Heroes only to completely fuck his backstory up in the Shadow game and make him a boring, generic stoic hero character in Sonic 06.
π: 1 β©: 2
TBH, it would've been more effective if Shadow came back after a few games and actually made the Sonic characters react to the fact that he came back but what SEGA did in Heroes is to simply make him a side character where Sonic characters barely reacted to him coming back which is why Shadow coming back in Heroes feels more like they are shoehorning him into the game because it barely had any effect on them.
π: 0 β©: 0
Well and ones again I don't see the appeal in SA2 shadow how has no personalty or thoughts of his own other than to what ever Maria wants him to do as much as people like to pretend that Amy Changed his mind she really didn't and rather just with her kindness reminded Shadow of Maria's true Last wish and after this shadow makes a complete 180 because he never had any Motivation of him self he was just Marias wish fulfilling Genie and I find this incredibly boring.
Heros is a spezial case because this games story was written after the game was finished so there are a ton of problems with it but at least does is show Shadow as an actual person other than just Marias bitch.
Shadow's own game has some weird parts but its heavily hinted that Black Doom actually subtly influenced Shadows mind to Work for him with makes Shadow breaking away from his past and instead concentrates on the future in the End way more rewording for me that SA2's ever was how even in his last moments only cared that he did what Maria ask him to do with no thoughts about this him self.
In Battle and 06 did we than Shadow grow and finally start to build a new life for him self worrying about his friends which he trusted to his very end and no matter if you find him boring I find him this way way more interesting that Marias Lapdog from SA2 could have ever hope to be.
Also SO What if Shadow only came back because of his popularity Vegeta only survived that Saiyajin arc for the same reason and would go one to become one of the greatest Characters in the whole Dragonball Franchise.
And at last have I do ask who was him dying the conclusion to anything when he didn't even have a Character arc he starts as Thinking he is the True Shadow and does what Maria wants from him and he ends thinking he is the real Shadow and did what Maria wanted from him only changes being that he is unsure if he even is the Ultimate lifeform and not sonic which still was handelt purely to say the least and that what he things Maria wanted form him changed.
π: 0 β©: 0
Shadow The Hedgehog (Gamecube/PS2): Fanservice. Is a good game, but is fanservice
π: 0 β©: 0
NUUUH! Shadow is the most interesting character with the most interesting backstory! The rest are boring, except for Eggman, who also has a good backstory
π: 0 β©: 0
Though I still like Shadow, and aren't very angry they brought him back, this is an interesting idea.
π: 0 β©: 0
THANK YOU. I FUCKING HATE SHADOW! HE'S A HUGE GARY STU!
π: 0 β©: 2
Sounds like my thoughts about Thorin Oakenshield.
π: 0 β©: 1
He's a character from J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. Read the book or watch Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy.
π: 0 β©: 1
I haven't watched The Hobbit in a long time, so I forgot most of the characters names.
π: 0 β©: 1
Yeah, I forget them, too. Especially the names of drawfs! XD
π: 0 β©: 0
I'm surprised that no feels this way with Knuckles.
π: 0 β©: 0
YES, THANK YOU! I cannot stress it enough, Shadow the hedgehog was a great character but after he overstayed his welcome he became a walking plot hole that was really just repetitive and really quite boring. Sonic adventure 2 is one of my favorite Sonic games, and when I was just a newbie in the fandom Shadow was also my favorite character. Although every time they brought him back I was disappointed with his portrayal, the plot holes, and just how unnecessary he is in the fandom. After having him shoved in my face and made put to be some 'amazing character' by everyone and anyone I kinda gave up and accepted Shadow wasn't that great of a character to begin with. He has potential but in my heart he's just a walking recolor with a lame sob story.Β
π: 1 β©: 0
Am I the only one here who doesn't mind Sonic Team and/or SEGA bringing back Shadow?Β
π: 0 β©: 2
I don't mind either.
Shadow is my favorite.
Though, I can understand just shoving him in a story just to lure in fans.Β
π: 0 β©: 0
I don't mind it at all.
π: 0 β©: 1
Really? I mean like... it almost seems as if everyone is overreacting to him coming back. I don't mind how it was handled and it's not like it hasn't happened with other franchises before.
π: 0 β©: 1
Yeah Shadow should've stayed dead however alive or not he's aΒ
badass in my book
π: 0 β©: 0
I totally agree with you. Shadow was at his greatest when he died in SA2, but then SEGA brought him because now in the games he has no purpose. He's just Sonic's rival and now that the game series is lightheated, he really doesn't belong.
If Shadow stayed dead, the Sonic series would still be like Sonic Adventure stories because without Shadow, issues like Shadow The Hedgehog and Sonic 06 wouldn't have come into the franchise and Sonic Heroes.
π: 0 β©: 0
somehow i can agree with you about theΒ "savoring the shortmoment that we have" part, because that works the same for cosmo, maria, and other sonic characters that died
π: 0 β©: 0
Could not agree more. BringingΒ him back gave his heroic sacrifice significantly less meaning.
π: 0 β©: 1
I'm honestly fine with them bringing him back. I like it when a series has serious and/or mature characters.Β
π: 0 β©: 1
I'm all for a balanced cast of characters, but bringing Shadow back just reeked of poorly thought out fan service, which in turn led to several unanswered questions about the character, questions that shouldn't exist in the first place.
The Sonic series already has plenty of that from my perspective, and Shadow's role as a rival character was already done many years prior to his inception.
Shadow just comes as merely experimental to me.
π: 0 β©: 1
Well... I did hear it's because of the fact that many people liked Shadow that the brought him back. Do I have a problem with that? Not really. Sure, they could have done a better job at it or left him dead, but I think that one of the good things about this is the fact that it shows that Sonic Team or SEGA (I don't really know who had the idea to bring him back) CAN listen to the fans. And that's... actually pretty good IMO.
I see what you mean. It's not like Shadow is the only "serious" character in the franchise. There's also E 123 Omega and Espio (there might be some other ones, but I can't seem to remember at the moment).Β
Well, I respect your opinion. However, experimental or not, he hasn't had major role in th series for... 6 years or something? I'm assuming it's because of the fans' complaints about him being "overrated", "emo", "ruined", a "recolor", and other things.Β
π: 0 β©: 1
He was most certainly bought back from the dead, due to fan demand. Those who suggest Sonic Team doesn't listen to fans are blind idiots. Sonic Team HAS listened to them, but they're too busy complaining about what they got, they just didn't notice.
I just find him to be one among many, as far as his character type goes.
He deserves a comeback, but he needs a lot of re-working. He's almost identical to Sonic in terms of gameplay.
π: 0 β©: 0
YES!!! I agree!!! When he came back I fell out of the Sonic world all together. Shadow is my favorite character and the way he died was so amazing and perfect! I can't BELIEVE that Sega ruined his perfect death! Not many games or characters have such amazing endings! Also, I think they ruined his personality and made him more of a wimp, in my opinion. I don't like him moving on from Maria, and I don't like him not dismantling Omega the moment Omega said that he was the one to trap him in the future.
I think that the Androids are a bunch of fakers and the real Shadow is dead.
π: 0 β©: 1
"I think that the Androids are a bunch of fakers and the real Shadow is dead."Β Β THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
π: 0 β©: 1
Haha, sounds like I finally found somebody who understands.
π: 0 β©: 1
Same here. I thought I was the only one who felt that SA2B Shadow is dead and the current one is an android clone. An android clone wouldn't have the complete memories of the original, so it would be simple to abandon a 'past' he didn't truly experience.
In Sonic Heroes, Rouge even says that Shadow is a robot.
A lot of people cling to this sentence from the Shadow the Hedgehog game: "Eggman said his robots saved him!". They never consider the unmitigated fact that Eggman is a pathological liar about nearly everything. He likely made it up to give Shadow encouragement so he could get Black Doom out of his way. Eggman couldn't have another evil force taking his place now could he?
Not only that, this current Shadow is nothing like SA2B Shadow. All of that character development he got towards the end of that game is dead. I'm very skeptical when I hear people say that the current Shadow is the real one.
π: 0 β©: 1
Wow. Someone who actually thought this through. I think most of the people who say that the current Shadow is the real one one are just a bunch of weirdos who can't stand the fact that a good character like Shadow had such a tragic end... But that is why I loved SA2 in the first place. I love endings like that, and it made Shadow a worthwhile character. Besides, the part that gave it away for me was that Shadow later joined G.U.N.... Yeeeeeeeeah right. They were the ones who ruined his life in the first place. He wouldn't just JOIN them... Also, he just tossed aside Maria's picture. Not if he's willing to destroy the entire world or DIE for her he won't. Sonic Heroes was just a load of bullshit all together as a game. Can't stand it even a single little bit. Shadow is colder, too quiet and acts like he is lonely and wants to make friends... Shadow acted like getting know people was annoying in SA2 because he honestly didn't care... And Rouge clinging to him like a cheap suit? Give me a break.
The Sonic world kind of sucks now since Shadow came back, I think...
π: 0 β©: 1
Yes, I thought it over and connected the dots. It simply doesn't add up whatsoever. But I wholeheartedly agree with you. The ending of SA2 was absolutely perfect and it made him a worthy character to love. He would've been at true peace with his only true friend. But no, selfish Shadow fans couldn't accept that.
And....wait? What?!? Shadow JOINED G.U.N?!? Oh there's no way that he's the real one! I do know that feeling of shock and disbelief when he tossed aside Maria's picture like it meant nothing. Nope, nope, nope the true Shadow wouldn't have done that. Ever.
Shadow fans now only comprehend one thing: "Shadow is too awesome to have died!" They're willing to accept a butchered, emo excuse for a character just as long as Shadow's present.
I thought Sonic Heroes was an okay game, but it wasn't as lovable. I do like Team Chaotix so I'll be keeping the game. I just go with the Shadow Android clone that was introduced in Sonic Heroes like Rouge said at the end of Team Dark's story. I just stuck with that fact.
I agree that the Sonic world is a mess now, but I don't think it's solely because of Shadow's return. I've dropped the Sonic series after Sonic Battle. Many other characters have undergone painful changes to their character. Knuckles and even Sonic himself are not the same. Sonic Team has Sonic going "Rings! Om nom nom nom!" in the newer games. What sense does that make? Knuckles turned into a total idiot after Sonic Heroes.
π: 0 β©: 1
Yeah, correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that Shadow worked for G.U.N. in Sonic '06. It has been at least six years since I have played that game, but it came across that way to me. He was working with them, carrying guns and working with their machinery. I think, somewhere, in one scene, he even reported back to them. But I could be wrong or have simply misunderstood what was going on, but I recall him using a walkie-talking and reporting back. And it wasn't to Rouge. (Except in SA2, of course, where he spoke to Eggman.)
I couldn't take him seriously after he simply tossed Maria's picture aside. I hate it when all characters absolutely must get over their trauma for 'character development'. I like my tragedies once in a while, I like seeing characters struggle until the very bitter end, where they die for their cause. Gives life a bit of purpose, when you have something to die for. That is why I loved Shadow so much. He had a purpose and was strong enough to actually go through with it and throw his life away for it. And his music in SA2... I loved it. Just loved it.
Shadow is too awesome, but I think his death is what made him extra awesome. His game would not have been as memorable if he had died, but his game was fascinating either way. It's when I hear people say that it is overrated that makes me want to back-hand them as hard as I can... Someone actually compared SA2 to Sonic Colors. I was amazed at the stupidity... According to him, Sonic Adventure 2 was 'boring and overrated' but Sonic Colors was 'fun and had potential'. Believe it or not, this idiot worked at a game store.
I couldn't stand Sonic Heroes. I hated everything about it. It was like in the Adventure series the Sonic Team actually TRIED to appeal to older audiences and to people in general, but in Sonic Heroes they only tried to appeal to 2 year olds... And even if I were 2, that game would be too boring to me after playing something as grand and actually thought out like SA1 and 2. Especially 2 though, that game just blew my mind. I did not like Team Chaotix very much because Sonic Team honestly made them appear very annoying, much like every other team, who could not stop acting brainless and confused after every encounter with every Eggman or enemy encounter. The graphcis were terrible, the colors were hard to stare at, and the lyrics to the music were nowhere near the intenseness and complexity of SA2. I guess I expected the Sonic Team to actually try when making Sonic Heroes. Which, in my opinion, they absolutely did not. After Sonic Adventure though, I think every Sonic game looks like shit... Especially now that Shadow is back and they screwed up everything Sonic Adventure 2 left for them.
I personally just fell out of the Sonic world once Shadow returned. I understand if they want to bring him back in PARTY games, such as Sonic Shuffle or Black Knight or whatnot, but not in the MAIN SERIES. Maybe have conversations about him or flashbacks, but don't turn his quills into soft little curvy pillows and don't turn him from black to brown. I agree that Knuckles is a moron as of late though, that has actually let me down as well. Sonic is too overly happy and optimistic and doesn't seem to know how to tease and be mischievous anymore, and Tails just kind of hangs out and waits for orders. He was the only character with character development that I actually liked watching develop. Sonic, Knuckles, Shadow and Eggman should already have their problems solved and shit together. Tails is a kid, so he is excused but he is a strong kid so he doesn't need a lot of "I'm so nervous!!!" moments.
I'm probably going waaaaaay off topic. I can get a little crazy when I Sonic talk.
π: 0 β©: 1
| Next =>