so this video feels a bit different.  i was feeling a ways lately, was sort of overwhelmed and kept coming back to this quote.  I kept thinking about how powerful it is not only on it's own but because of the history of who says it.  i hope if youre having a rough time it can help you too.  if you're fighting, i'm rooting for you.

“What radicalized you”
Shadow the hedgehog

Rouge has a great character moment with Shadow too. 'Even if you believe everyone in the world will be against you,  know that I'll always remain by your side'.
Shadow's story was a genuine attempt at writing. Is a shame.

I find it funny how the games that are a part of the "Dark Age" arguably have the best characterization of the characters

no thumbnail but ik it’s shadow

Shadow and Silver's stories were ironically the best campaigns in the game since they actually deal with the real villain of the game. Which is saying something because the game is called SONIC THE HEDGEHOG and Sonic spends his whole time running behind a princess.

Amy's original speech was not about humans being "fundamentally good" or "capable of doing better, one day". If it were about "goodness", Shadow would not have cared. She's saying "the world's so chaotic, humans can barely understand one another, the entire world is a painful mess... and yet DESPITE THAT, billions of people are still refusing to give up and trying their best to lead good lives". The fact that she didn't make it about morality is why it impacted Shadow, who was not a "good person" but still struggled to live his own truth on his own terms. Humanity's collectively messed up AND made up of individuals w/ their own wills, outlooks & wishes. Shadow, growing up on the Ark, LITERALLY looked down at the "masses of humans" on Earth, seeing his existence as separate. Amy helped him realize his hate & frustration are what every "foolish, petty, inferior human" feels. HE REALIZED HE WAS THE SAME!

Say what you will about Sonic 06, but it definitely nailed Shadow's personality and character. This is Shadow after SA2.

No amnesia, no androids, no taking candy from babies, just a Shadow that wants to fight for what he thinks is right, alongside his trusted confidants, in Rouge and Omega.

This quote literally helped cure my depression and continues to give me perseverance in going through external struggles. Something about Shadow rejecting evil despite having every reason to and not letting anyone convince him to do so is so inspirational. Easily the best representation of the lil mf. Glad someone’s giving it the recognition it deserves!

This video inspired me to call my local representative about not murdering Shadow the Hedgehog

Mephiles is actually a cold ass villain so there are about two things good about...wait Silver was introduced in this game...


Three things good about Sonic.... WAIT, His World Zebrahead Remix.... FOUR THINGS–

God damn, I didn't except something so heavy hitting. Shadow's character has always been such a fun exploration into the seriousness the sonic games can have, but like. Seeing that actually encapsulated into a single line of dialogue is really impressive

In the words of Shadow the Hedgehog “Damn”

Almost every Sonic game in the 2000s: ”Long Time No See!”

another notable video game quote that doesn't register as a video game quote unless you know:
"I survived because the fire inside me burned brighter than the fire around me"
-Joshua Graham






(Fallout New Vegas)

I'll push back that the original translation is good BECAUSE it is a more childish, and simplistic version of the original. It sounds like it's coming from a little girl, with a naively hopeful perspective on the world. And because of who Shadow lost, that's exactly who he needed to hear it from.

Fingers crossed that you talk about Shadow's growth from the Black Arms Invasion!

Folks may not like Shadow '05, but it's the reason Shadow is so good in '06!

Honesly amazing video, it encapsulates why I love SA2, and why I will defend that Shadow is an incredible character, and yes is all fault of the goverment.

The scene in which Geralt reveals his plan, and all of his grief is still one of my favorite scenes in gaming, because a Sonic game decided that it wouldn't sugarcoat it, it would tell how awful humans can be, and still with all our flaws, is something worth fighting, because even if people in power does horrible things, that doesn't invalidate the effort everyone else does, just for a chance at a better life.

It's good to see someone actually get and understand the theme of the game. I also like how that speech Amy gives paralells Sonic and the impression he made on Shadow over the course of the game.
Shadow didn't save the world because "its the right thing to do and he loves humanity now". No. We suck. Shadow still thinks we suck. But he believes in spite of that it is still worth fighting for that opportunity to make suck just a little less tomorrow.
He "holds on to what if" you could say.


I also like how in the guidebook, its actually stated Gerald.himself didnt even wanna work on Project Shadpw originally because he felt humanity was too immature for something like the ultimate lieform and would only wanna use it for wars and fighting.

Even Black Doom says the same thing that he invades warth because of humanity constantly destroying eachother out of greed and selfishness etc.

Great video dude!

Kept scrolling through comments and didn't see anyone call you out so here goes.

I feel it was detrimental to Shadow's analysis that you INCLUDE his warped  promise to Maria. He was going on a rampage not solely for Grief, but because he believed that's what Maria wanted due to his memories. Can't remember if Gerald, or just being in stasis caused the memory issues though.

That said, Shadow didn't become good because of Amy's speech. He was essentially just ignoring her. But then... She says the CORRECT message Maria begged of him. So when Shadow hears from Amy, "I beg of you!" From a Amy, he correctly recalls Maria's true goal. She didn't want revenge. She wanted the people to thrive and be happy.

That's when he goes "oh fuck" and turns sides. If it was solely grief, he would've still gone through with the plan, but it wasn't. It was keeping his word to Maria that drove him. That was his turning point. No character reached him. Amy, just being Amy, Monkeys on a type writer essentially, just said the correct combination to wake him like a sleeper agent lol.

Other than that, really solid video. Made me laugh, made me think, and I really liked it visually. Subbed.

Stay Awes9me