History YMMV / ShadowTheHedgehog

** Shadow wielding guns becomes even more hilarious when it was confirmed that he will be voiced by Creator/KeanuReeves in ''Sonic 3''. Two of Keanu's well-known roles are John Wick and Neo, both proficient in guns.

** The Doom is easy to get lost in even with the use of the maps, which are as confusing as they are helpful, and the carrying of the Heal Units slows Shadow down by a ''lot''. Its (slight) saving graces are that if you see a Heal Unit, you know a scientist is close-by, and how easy it is to use Chaos Blast over and over again thanks to the amount of destructible scenery.

** Sonic wielding guns becomes even more hilarious when it was confirmed that he will be voiced by Creator/KeanuReeves in ''Sonic 3''. Two of Keanu's well-known roles are John Wick and Neo, both proficient in guns.

** Chaos Control is notorious for being poorly implemented. Despite being the LimitBreak accessed by filling the Hero KarmaMeter, it doesn't help you fulfill the Hero objectives. What it ''actually'' does is accelerate you towards the end of the stage, which is nearly always ''not'' the Hero objective, but the Neutral -- sometimes it can even make a stage's Hero objective impossible by automatically triggering the wrong events, as it does in no less than the final level of the Hero route.

* AudienceAlienatingPremise: It's a dark, gritty, swearing and guns filled adaption of ''Sonic The Hedgehog''. [[https://web.archive.org/web/20060526221039/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/ACF9E983-A37C-48E7-BA3E-EE74B1858338.htm?CS_pid=220511 Several]] [[https://www.eurogamer.net/r-shadowthehedgehog-xbox reviewers]] [[http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/shadow-the-hedgehog/667700p1.html lambasted]] the very idea, and the game has consistently been rated as one of the worst installments of the franchise for this reason.

* CriticProof: The game was weirdly successful[[note]]Even the [[PortingDisaster widely-considered worst port]] in the Platform/Playstation2 version still sold enough to qualify the game for the brand's "Greatest Hits" label, which required a minimum of 400,000+ units sold[[/note]] and catapulted Shadow to becoming one of the most popular characters in gaming according to Guinness Records. You wouldn't know this from fan or critical reception. That said, any plans for a sequel were abandoned anyways; evidently, it seems Sega felt the game either didn't do as well as hoped, or decided a direct sequel wouldn't sell nearly as well.

** Shadow's portrayal in the game has undergone this. His portrayal was initially hated for being angsty, and confused, not helped by the game's RandomEventsPlot and alternate paths causing the story to have no clear direction until the GoldenEnding. However, with nostalgia for the game softening views, many have started to see that Shadow was a deeply traumatized individual who was himself thoroughly confused about his past and discovering it of his own accord, finally helping cement Shadow's character once again for [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006 the next game]], letting him recover and prove himself to be the aloof anti hero he is at heart after going through a good amount of development. Nowadays, most of the criticisms of Shadow's arc are more of [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot missed potential]] due to the aforementioned scattershot plot and branching structure, especially since none of the in-game developments matter except at the very end, after 10 different playthroughs.

** Shadow's portrayal in the game has undergone this. His portrayal was initially hated for being angsty, and confused, not helped by the game's RandomEventsPlot and alternate paths causing the story to have no clear direction until the GoldenEnding. However, with nostalgia for the game softening views, many have started to see that Shadow was a deeply traumatized individual who was himself thoroughly confused about his past and discovering it of his own accord, finally helping cement Shadow's character once again for [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006 the next game]], letting him recover and prove himself to be the aloof anti hero he is at heart after going through a good amount of development. Nowadays, most of the criticisms of Shadow's arc are more of [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot missed potential]] due to the aforementioned scattershot plot and branching structure.

** Upon introduction [[AliensAreBastards Black Doom]] was widely criticized for his [[FlatCharacter generic, clichéd villain personality]] and design which also [[NonStandardCharacterDesign clashed with the series]], and seen as [[{{Narm}} too over-the-top to take seriously]] and contributed [[FanDislikedExplanation unwelcome additions to the lore]]. In short, he was seen as the face of everything ridiculed with this games DarkerAndEdgier tone and how it wasn't a fit for the series. But after subsequent LighterAndSofter games became increasingly criticized for being basic and non-serious, fans were hype for the darker ''VideoGame/SonicForces'', whose villain, Infinite, [[ParodySue intentionally embraced clichés and was over-the-top]], only for the story and character to be seen as disappointing for not coming off as serious, such it displeased fans of the darker and lighter approaches. Thus, Black Doom became better received as a more successful integration of darker elements, as it took itself seriously, [[NarmCharm working in spite of the tonal clash]] or [[SoBadItsGood entertainingly bad at worst]], unlike Infinite's deliberate self-parody. Such fans were excited for [[TheBusCameBack Doom's return]] in ''[[VideoGame/SonicGenerations Sonic X Shadow Generations]]''.

* CriticProof: The game was weirdly successful and catapulted Shadow to becoming one of the most popular characters in gaming according to Guinness Records. You wouldn't know this from fan or critical reception. That said, any plans for a sequel were abandoned anyways; evidently, it seems Sega felt the game either didn't do as well as hoped, or decided a direct sequel wouldn't sell nearly as well.

** Upon introduction [[AliensAreBastards Black Doom]] was widely criticized for his [[FlatCharacter generic, clichéd villain personality]] and design which also [[NonStandardCharacterDesign clashed with the series]], and seen as [[{{Narm}} too over-the-top to take seriously]] and contributed [[FanDislikedExplanation unwelcome additions to the lore]]. In short, he was seen as the face of everything ridiculed with this games DarkerAndEdgier tone and how it wasn't a fit for the series. But after subsequent LighterAndSofter games became increasingly criticized for being basic and non-serious, fans were hype for the darker ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' who's villain Infinite [[ParodySue intentionally embraced clichés and was over-the-top]], only for the story and character to be seen as disappointing for not coming off as serious such it displeased fans of the darker and lighter approaches. Thus Black Doom became better received as a more successful integration of darker elements as it took itself seriously, [[NarmCharm working in spite of the tonal clash]] or [[SoBadItsGood entertainingly bad at worst]] unlike Infinite's deliberate self-parody, such fans were excited for [[TheBusCameBack Doom's return]] in ''[[VideoGame/SonicGenerations Sonic X Shadow Generations]]''.

** Upon introduction [[AliensAreBastards Black Doom]] was widely criticized for his [[FlatCharacter generic, clichéd villain personality]] and design which also [[NonStandardCharacterDesign clashed with the series]], and seen as [[{{Narm}} too over-the-top to take seriously]] and contributed [[FanDislikedExplanation unwelcome additions to the lore]]. In short, he was seen as the face of everything ridiculed with this games DarkerAndEdgier tone and how it wasn't a fit for the series. But after subsequent LighterAndSofter games became increasingly criticized for being basic and non-serious, fans were hype for the darker ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' who's villain Infinite [[ParodySue intentionally embraced clichés and was over-the-top]], only for the story and character to be seen as disappointing for not coming off as serious such it displeased fans of the darker and lighter approaches. Thus Black Doom became better received as a more successful integration of darker elements as it took itself seriously, [[NarmCharm working in spite of the tonal clash]] or [[SoBadItsGood entertainingly bad at worst]] unlike Infinite's deliberate self-parody, such fans were exited for [[TheBusCameBack Doom's return]] in ''[[VideoGame/SonicGenerations Sonic X Shadow Generations]]''.

* CompleteMonster: [[NotSoWellIntentionedExtremist Black Doom]] is the leader of the [[AliensAreBastards Black Arms]] and a completely humorless EvilutionaryBiologist. Having visited the Earth for thousands of years, he [[VideoGame/SonicAdventure2 made contact with Gerald Robotnik]] 50 years prior to the series, agreeing to a deal where a creation using Black Doom's cells, the future Shadow the Hedgehog, would deliver the Chaos Emeralds so that the Black Arms can use Chaos Control to arrive on Earth and bring prosperity to humanity. Gerald realized once Doom left that he was lied to, as Black Doom intended to enslave the human race and use them as a [[ToServeMan food source]]. During the events of the game, he preaches about the [[KnightTemplar evils of humanity]] and how they don't deserve to be free, claiming they would be better served as a food source for the Black Arms, all while showing he has no regrets killing his own men or [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness throwing away his "son" when everything is finished]]. During the game, he sends his army to kill millions, manipulated Shadow by forcing him to relive Maria's death, destroys an entire city -- and most of his army -- with the Eclipse Cannon, and spreads a gas that paralyzes Sonic and friends to make it easier for his offspring to eat them. [[{{Hypocrite}} Hypocritical]], ruthless and uncaring to even his own, Black Doom is among the worst the franchise has to offer.

* {{Applicability}}: Feeding on the teen angst aspects of the game, some people have argued that the relationship between Black Doom and Shadow mirrors that of a distant father suddenly showing up in their troubled child's life and trying to gain favor with them solely for materialistic reasons, which is not uncommon in real-life (particularly in a society where divorce has become commonplace and teeenagers are more mentally vulnerable than ever).

* UglyCute: Some, or at least [[WebVideo/TheLostBoys ZeldaMaster]], find Black Bull cute in an odd way, as stated in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lQzSxfz7TM this video]].

** There's a debate whether this game is a spin-off or a main series Sonic game, some like sources from this website, Wikipedia, and Sonic Wiki Zone confirmed that the game is a spin-off, but there are Sonic fans, specifically those from Gen Z, argued that the game is a main series game,[[note]] [[https://youtu.be/eBG2oEXZIZU?feature=shared&t=1140 This argument came from a YouTuber named Jebtube considering the game a main series title.]] [[/note]] and thought it was developed by Sonic Team of Japan,[[note]] Even though Sonic Team USA, which by this point was rebranded as Sega Studio USA, was the one that developed it, as the Japanese brand was developing ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006''.[[/note]] this debate is still on going, despite the fact that Sonic is in the game, and it plays similar to the previous games, he's not playable by all means.

** The primary BigBad, Black Doom was once near-universally disliked by the ''Sonic'' fandom for many years, seeing him as pointlessly generic in characterization, having an out-of-place character design for the series, possessing a nonsensical motive for his actions, and [[spoiler:his retconned involvement in Shadow's creation]]. As the years have gone by and nostalgia for the title has increased, attitudes towards him have cooled down significantly. While he's still not considered a great villain by any means, many fans consider him [[SoOkayItsAverage adequate for his purpose and merely forgettable at worst]], seeing as he has some redeeming qualities such as his genuinely intimidating voice and general presence. When the [[UpdatedRerelease remaster]] of ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'' was announced with Doom returning for its new Shadow campaign, many fans stated that they looked forward to seeing him again and/or to see his character improved.

%% Should part of this entry be spoilered out to be consistent with other spoilers about Black Doom's connection to Shadow?

** There's a debate whether this game is a spin-off or a main series Sonic game, some like sources from this website, Wikipedia, and Sonic Wiki Zone confirmed that the game is a spin-off, but there are Sonic fans, specifically those from Gen Z, argued that the game is a main series game,[[note]] [[https://youtu.be/eBG2oEXZIZU?feature=shared&t=1140 This argument came from a YouTuber named Jebtube considering a main series title.]] [[/note]] and thought it was developed by Sonic Team of Japan,[[note]] Even though Sonic Team USA, which by this point was rebranded as Sega Studio USA, was the one that developed it, as the Japanese brand was developing ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006''.[[/note]] this debate is still on going, despite the fact that Sonic is in the game, and it plays similar to the previous games, he's not playable by all means.

** There's a debate whether this game is a spin-off or a main series Sonic game, some like sources from this website, Wikipedia, and Sonic Wiki Zone confirmed that the game is a spin-off, but there are Sonic fans, specifically those from Gen Z, argued that the game is a main series game,[[note]] [[https://youtu.be/eBG2oEXZIZU?feature=shared&t=1140 This argument came from a YouTuber named Jebtube considering a main series title.]] [[/note]] and thought it was developed by Sonic Team of Japan,[[note]] Even though Sonic Team USA, which by this point was rebranded as Sega Studio USA, was the one that developed it as the Japanese brand was developing ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006''.[[/note]] this debate is still on going, despite the fact that Sonic is in the game, and it plays similar to the previous games, he's not playable by all means.

** There's a debate whether this game is a spin-off or a main series Sonic game, some like sources from this website, Wikipedia, and Sonic Wiki Zone confirmed that the game is a spin-off, but there are Sonic fans, specifically those from Gen Z, argued that the game is a main series game,[[note]] [[https://youtu.be/eBG2oEXZIZU?feature=shared&t=1140 This argument came from a YouTuber named Jebtube considering a main series title]] [[/note]] and thought it was developed by Sonic Team of Japan,[[note]] Even though Sonic Team USA, which by this point was rebranded as Sega Studio USA, was the one that developed it as the Japanese brand was developing ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006''.[[/note]] this debate is still on going, despite the fact that Sonic is in the game, and it plays similar to the previous games, he's not playable by all means.