#What’s Challenge Shadow? – Destructoid

I by no means imagined Sonic the Hedgehog would change into the star of a cinematic universe, however right here we’re. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is whipping out the large weapons, pitting Sonic in opposition to his biggest rival in a big-budget adaptation of the storyline that endlessly modified the Blue Blur’s online game sequence.

Scorching off the heels of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (and the Paramount+ meme-fest that’s Knuckles), Sonic the Hedgehog 3 sees Shadow the Hedgehog (Keanu Reeves) emerge from the, properly, shadows, to menace the world. Because the movie’s surprisingly epic trailer explains by way of voiceover, Shadow was born out of Challenge Shadow, a sinister authorities operation with stunning ties to Sonic’s (Ben Schwartz) archenemy, Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey).

Challenge Shadow is a pivotal second within the Sonic sequence’ deceptively expansive lore, weaving plot threads the franchise nonetheless follows in the present day. Whether or not you’re a Sonic veteran on the lookout for a refresher or a more recent fan questioning what the precise heck’s occurring in Sonic 3, I’ve received the solutions you search.

Challenge Shadow’s online game historical past

Launched because the inciting incident of Sonic Journey 2, Challenge Shadow is the stuff of conspiracy theorists’ wildest goals. Began by the United Federation, Challenge Shadow was a analysis program created with the outbound aim of attaining immortality. In fact, being a top-secret research funded by a number of superpowers, Challenge Shadow had a secret goal: creating the final word lifeform.

Figuring out they’d want the best thoughts on the planet to tug off this formidable scientific endeavor, the United Federation sought none aside from Robotnik’s grandfather, Gerald. Gerald had a private purpose to simply accept the U.F.’s proposal: his granddaughter, Maria, suffered from a deadly genetic situation that solely one thing as radical as Challenge Shadow might hope to remedy.

Gerald’s analysis, carried out inside an orbital medical middle named Area Colony ARK, didn’t go properly initially. His early experiments birthed a runty reptile referred to as the Biolizard, who mutated right into a unstable monstrosity Gerald and his colleagues couldn’t management. Together with his superiors threatening to slash this system, it regarded like Gerald’s efforts would come as much as nothing. Then aliens occurred. Actually.

One way or the other, Gerald got here into contact with Black Doom, the chief of a violent race of extraterrestrial conquerors referred to as the Black Arms. Determined to save lots of Maria, Gerald wrote up a devilish pact with Black Doom, providing to provide the interstellar warlord management of Challenge Shadow’s last product if he agreed to lend Gerald a few of his blood so he might full his analysis. Being an entire monster bent on galactic domination, Black Doom agreed, unaware (or unconcerned) that Gerald by no means deliberate to meet his finish of the cut price.

Utilizing Black Doom’s DNA, Gerald lastly created the final word lifeform: Shadow the Hedgehog, who shaped a deep bond with Maria. Sadly, the U.F. caught wind of Shadow’s sheer harmful potential and began having second ideas on the entire “unkillable bioweapon” factor. The U.F.’s navy, the Guardian Items of Nations, ended up taking issues into their very own arms, launching an all-out assault on the ARK. Within the ensuing chaos, a G.U.N. soldier fires a deadly shot into Maria, setting Gerald and Shadow on the trail of vengeance.

Challenge Shadow opens up thrilling alternatives for the Sonic movie sequence

Challenge Shadow is among the grimmest plot factors in Sonic canon, and it appears to be like like Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will adapt it faithfully. Whereas Gerald will seem alive and properly (bodily, at the very least) in Sonic 3, one of many last pictures confirms Maria will endure the same destiny to her sport counterpart. These developments go away a Sonic fan like me to surprise what different bits of Challenge Shadow lore will make it onto the large display.

The Biolizard, Shadow’s surrogate brother, didn’t seem in Sonic 3’s trailer. Nevertheless, Sonic and Shadow’s final combat in opposition to it in Sonic Journey 2 is among the most iconic boss battles within the sequence, so I’m keen to guess Sonic 3’s climax will find yourself utilizing it as a template. Since Shadow will get chilly toes about Gerald’s plan to (spoilers) crash the ARK into Earth, Gerald might name in his first “baby” to complete the job Shadow gained’t, forcing Sonic and Shadow to work collectively to save lots of the world.

The Black Arms’ involvement in Shadow’s creation additionally goes unmentioned within the trailer, which is odd since Sonic X Shadow Generations appears to be like prefer it’s selecting this plot beat again up after virtually twenty years. Nevertheless, that is perhaps as a result of Paramount needs to save lots of that revelation for a later Sonic undertaking. The Knuckles proved {that a} Sonic side-series could be profitable, and I doubt the corporate will cross up the possibility to provide Reeves’ Shadow a spin-off the place he goes up in opposition to the Black Arms, totally finishing his transition from villain to hero.

I’m very to see what Sonic 3 does with Challenge Shadow as soon as the film hits theaters on December 20, 2024. And now perhaps you might be too, if you happen to weren’t already.