Shadow's "Lost Tracks"

Shadow the Hedgehog had its fair share of vocal themes. In addition to a main theme and a closing ("I am...All of Me" and "Never Turn Back"), there were four songs for the various possible endings. Going "Dark" rewards the player with the powerful "Almost Dead." Going "Neutral" results in either "Almost Dead" again (Dark-Neutral), the peppy "Waking Up" (True Neutral), or the sadder "Chosen One" (Hero-Neutral). Becoming a hero meant listening to the original version of "All Hail Shadow." And as a bonus, there was also an "E.G.G.M.A.N." remix, called "Doc. Robeatnix mix." 

However three other songs have become associated with the black blur's 2005 spin-off: "Who I Am," by Magna-Fi; "Broken" and "All of Me" by Sins of a Divine Mother. These tracks have been dubbed the "lost" tracks because they did not make it into the game. 

Up until recently, these three have been listed as a part of "Lost and Found," the Shadow the Hedgehog vocal album. As of my most recent wiki trek, however, I could not find evidence they were apart of the release. One person discussing them did refer to them as "unlisted" tracks, but checking various sources likewise put this in doubt. I am not sure. 

However there remains evidence that these songs were intended for the game. 

"Who I Am"   

by Magna-Fi

Background: It is believed that "Who I Am" was intended to be the title theme for the game (being replaced by Crush 40's "I Am...All of Me"). This is supported by the song's more general theme ("who I am") and with Magna-Fi also creating "All Hail Shadow," it makes the most sense. However, there is some speculation that this was an alternate for the Hero ending or that "All Hail Shadow" was created as a replacement. 

"Who I Am" was later remade for Magna-Fi's album, VerseChorusKillMe, and apparently there is a notable difference in guitar due to the departure of a band member. 

Reason It's "Lost": It was initially believed that Sega simply wanted a different music style for the intro. However it was the band's record label, Aezra, that prevented the song from being used. The exact reasons remain unclear, but they probably wanted (or had?) the rights to the song ("Lost and Found" and related OSTs being published by Wavemaster, Sega's audio development team). 

Lyrical Connections: The song heavily uses the line "This is who I am," the phrase Shadow says at the end of each story path. It also says "not a shadow of who I want to be," a clever play on words. The song insists "you're not ever gonna' change me," voicing Shadow's attitude after choosing his path. It also seems to voice anger at the other characters (Commander, Black Doom, Eggman) for using and targeting Shadow ("You never really understood me/you always put me down/like a dog that's beaten over and over/one day I'm gonna' take you down").  

"Broken" 

by Sins of A Divine Mother

Background: Because of an interview, the reason why "Broken" was not used has been confirmed. It would have been the Hero-Neutral song, but was replaced by "Chosen One." If "Chosen One" seems especially similar in tone, its likely because two members of Sins of A Divine Mother created the band A2/Mona Lisa Overdrive, which made "Chosen One" (as a replacement). 

Reason It's "Lost": The song was not used because they could not track the writer down in time to get his permission to use it. However the two A2 members suggested making a new song with a similar vibe, and "Chosen One" was born.    

Lyrical Connections: The lyrics seem centered on trying to make a difference or change in "broken" life. "Only you can make a difference, darling (always...)," easily fits the one character Shadow would always trust, Maria. The part "don't wanna' act like...someone else," could hint at Shadow not wanting to be like Sonic, while "just wanna' be like...everyone else," centers on Shadow being different and isolated from the rest of the Sonic cast. Also, the part about being "down" seems to really fit the "Vector" ending where Shadow feels he should not have been created.   

"All of Me"

by Sins of A Divine Mother

Background: Now it seems like "All of Me" is unconfirmed. Its only official connection was being a part of the "lost" group of tracks and I guess being associated with "Broken"/the game. Unlike "Broken" it was not mentioned any interviews and does not have a replacement (like "Chosen One"). However there is some circumstantial evidence. In addition to possible lyrical connections, there is one simple fact: there is no Neutral-Dark theme. 

In the game, "Almost Dead" plays for four endings while the other songs (such as "All Hail Shadow") are exclusive to two endings ("All Hail Shadow" being exclusive to the Hero endings). It seems like a missing song caused them to use "Almost Dead" twice as much.

"All of Me" is similar to "Broken," having a grungy "depressed" type of sound. However, it's not as sad, being angered and having more of a distaste for society than "Broken" or its replacement, "Chosen One." With this in mind, "All of Me" may have been intended for the "missing" Neutral-Dark ending. 

Some have assumed that "Broken" was meant for that, however "Broken" was created before "Chosen One," the Hero-Neutral song (meaning without it there would have been another "gap," the Neutral Hero one). It's possible that "Who I Am" could have fit into this equation, but it's never really been referred to as a "Neutral" song. Its also possible "All of Me" was simply an alternate to "Broken."     

One final piece of sketchy evidence: Crush 40's "I Am...All of Me." Though similar in name, songs are not related, but it's interesting to note that Crush40's song is named "I Am...All of Me" or "I Am (All of Me)," never just "All of Me." Perhaps this was to avoid confusing it with a song already potentially made for Shadow the Hedgehog, Sins of a Divine Mother's "All of Me."   

Reason It's "Lost": If "All of Me" was intended for the game, it likely had the same background problems as "Broken." Fans have also been quick to point out the use of the word "Shit." Shadow the Hedgehog was originally intended for Teens, but they decided to somewhat tone-down the game for a E10+ rating. This may have led to the song being cut. That makes sense, but it easily could have been censored (as with a swear word in "His World").

Lyrical Connections: The lyrics describe a hopeless feeling with "all I've made is my last breath," "go away, no regrets," and "take all of me," possibly fitting into the attitude of a neutral ending. The song starts, "I just wanna' be happy, wanna' live my life alone," which describes' Shadow's personality. The song also seems to connect to the game with the repeated line, "it's all inside my head, and it's not real," which mirrors Shadow's confused memories. 

Perhaps the closest connection is: "how's it feel being innocent/and gettin' treated like you did a big crime/with the policeman and the government gunnin' for ya' all the time." If it's not a huge coincidence, then "gun" is a pun on GUN (the military in Sonic's world) and the "policeman" is the game's villainous GUN Commander--who orders his soldiers to shoot Shadow (even if he's innocent).  

"Tripod Baby"

M-Flo Loves Shadow the Hedgehog

Extra: Apparently "Tripod Baby" was originally a song from M-Flo's album, Beat Space Nine, and a part of their "M-Flo Loves" series (M-Flo is a successful Japanese hip-hop band). A special remix "Tripod Baby (Shadow the Hedgehog Mix)" was created and put on their remixed album, Dope Space Nine. The song was used in promotion for Shadow the Hedgehog. It's not in the game, but several promotional images were created along with a music video and a commercial. The song is a completely different genre than Shadow's usual rock, being more dance-like (or Shadow thinks so...) and it includes some Japanese portions.         

"Will he good or evil?" 

Personal Notes

I discovered the "lost" tracks years ago, mainly thanks to extended videos by Quadfactor. I like them a lot and generally consider them on the same level or greater than the songs used. It is unfortunate they did not make it into the game, but I am very thankful that it resulted in "I am...All of Me" and "Chosen One," as they are some of my favorites (of the Sonic series). 

As for Tripod Baby...I saw that ages ago. I remember being disappointed it wasn't like the other Shadow songs (back then I think I only knew of "I Am All of Me" and "Never Turn Back," anyway). I was shocked by the style and the partial Japanese and the music video being "horrible" CGI. I think I somehow found it purely because it "had Shadow dancing," which I thought would be funny.  

Lol, watching it again after all these years? After seeing the music video for "They Call Me Sonic?" 

It's not the bizarre disaster I thought it was. Well...maybe it's a little bizarre, but the song is catchy. Shadow the EDGEhog, baby!

Shadow the Hedgehog OST Review

Summary

The music of Shadow the Hedgehog has pretty much been forgotten by fans simply because they were upset they did not get Sonic Heroes 2. When I judged Shadow the Hedgehog as better than the Sonic-classic, I sighted the music as a reason. Does that decision remain? 

Defiantly. As I acknowledged then, the OST doesn't have the same variety in genres as other games, mostly relying on a heavier rock vibe. But this is a spin-off...

Sonic Riders' OST is awesome, but it did not diverge into many other genres either (in that case being mostly electronic/techno/future ish). Knuckles Choatix was a funky creation, but most of its songs used the same type of instruments and themes as well. Spin-offs adopt their own style, but for some reason that seems forgotten when it comes to this OST. 

It does have variety while keeping in with its own themes. "The Ark," for example, has its guitar/percussion, but it has its higher pitched artificial qualities. With those "back to the mic" samples, the song could have easily been in Sonic Rush. That song is actually a remix of Final Rush from SA2, and there are quite a bit of remixes and hints of SA2. The calm piano-led "Lost Impact" is also a remix of Sonic 3D Blast's Panic Puppet (Saturn), and some music like the "I Refuse" cutscene seems to reference "This Machine"/Heroes.  

Listening to this music alone, even levels I thought of as boring like Sky Troops seemed far more interesting (the level's brown/rocky design may have been to blame). 

Best Song: Central City

Runner-Up (s): Westopolis, Lethal Highway, The Ark, Lava Shelter, GUN Fortress, Lost Impact, The Doom, Digital Circuit, Mad Matrix, Death Ruins, Final Haunt, Space Gadget, Cosmic Fall, The Last Way, Blue Falcon, Heavy Dog, Egg Beater, Egg Dealer, Black Doom (boss), Black Bull, Battle Mode, Menu, Title Screen, Awake Hero/Dark, Chaos Control, 90% of the Cutscene music  

This was a tough choice--Leathal Highway, The Ark, Lava Shelter, GUN Fotress, Lost Impact--there were a lot of good options. Central City seems to be the best summary of the game's tension. It's speedy, guitar heavy, has synthetic parts that keep it a bit wacky. Rough, distressed, panicked...perfect for the city that's about to be blown up one way or another.     

Worst Song: Iron Jungle

Runner Up (s): Flying with Tornado

This is perhaps the only song that seems to live up to its "boring" reputation. I don't know if I'd call it generic, but it's short and quickly becomes repetitive (this level could be pretty long I think). It sounds a bit familiar but that doesn't save it.  

Best Vocal Song: I Am...All of Me

Runner-Up (s): Never Turn Back, Chosen One, Waking Up, Almost Dead, E.G.G.M.A.N. (Dr. Robeatnik Mix) 

"Never Turn Back" and "Chosen One" could have easily taken this spot, but "I Am...All of Me" is phenomenal. The lyrics perfectly switch from one contrast to another--"Brave hearted hero, black hearted evil"--and the vocals perfectly capture anger and confusion. It the ultimate theme for the game (and for Shadow's journey). 

It's a real shame that it's just been dubbed the "edgy" theme ("Almost Dead"? Way edgier).   

WHY, GENERATIONS? WHY UNLOCK SPLASH HILL LIKE 2ND AND I AM ALL OF ME 2ND TO LAST?! YOU SUCK!

Worst Vocal Song: All Hail Shadow

Runner Up (s): -____-

Uh...what is this doing in the worst section? This song is awesome. NOTHING EVER FILLS THE HOLE INSIDE YOUR HEART! 

I really like the whisper-y "bow your heads now all hail Shadow," and while the chorus might have been a fairly stupid concept, the rest of the lyrics are so fitting. 

However (surprisingly) I think this is the weaker of the vocal songs. I guess the fact that Crush 40 covered it (better) kinda' takes away from it.  

I felt like listing the Eggman remix would be a cheat, besides...

E.G.G.M.A.N. (Dr. Robeatnik Mix) > E.G.G.M.A.N.

Final Ranking: S

I was pretty indecisive about this one, A rank or S rank? There's nothing really wrong with it. Epic stage music, vocal themes, cutscene music, menus music...Underrated and mislabeled, that's for sure.  

I don't think it's better than the S-Ranks I've given so far, yet it seems just as good or better than the previous A-ranks...

I guess this will be the cut-off point for S ranks. 

Sonic Heroes Review

Rank @ End

Summary

BLAST AWAY! Do more characters=a better game? Uh...no?

Gameplay and Level Design

The level design is fair. There are some colorful additions and new ideas, namely the haunted theme. I don't really like the "chunky" look of some of the earlier levels like [shudders] Seaside Hill and Ocean Palace. Many of the levels are pretty long in length. 

The gameplay has its heart in the right place, but is not the best. I like the idea of team work, but unlike Sonic 2 where there's sort-of an optional thing for another player, this "team" thing is forced on the 1st player. It takes a long while to get used to the different moves, switching between characters, and even just balancing while flying. It needs a "learning period." Doing the Rose missions first helps.  

 

Story and Characters

This is a very character-focused game. Team Sonic has a pretty simplistic story, but it is fun to see the crew getting along and hanging out. Rose's is also pretty simple, but it's humorous and the first time we see Cream outside of Sonic Advance 2. Though where did Chocola even come from? 

The Chaotix have a fun story, though I wish the conclusion was not so obvious. Notably this team dodges Team Sonic because then they'd have to decide where to risk having the group recognize Knuckles. The wording when they first cross Eggman is careful for this reason (Knuckles Chaotix). 

Team Dark gets the best story, where the group hunts Eggman for their own reasons. Unfortunately the game does not decide what to do with Shadow. Does he get his memories back? Is he an android?   

This might be because the character was originally dead and Rouge was going to be a part of Team Rose (wtf). 

The game debuted Omega, Chocola, and introduced many "less known" characters like the Chaotix and Cream. I think they handled the intro well, but I can see how it would seem overwhelming. 

The plot twist is great for the game's story and for Metal Sonic's character. Before, he basically had the OVA for personality and that was basically just that he had Sonic's. Here we as a cold, creepier version. I wish they actually used the "Neo" design a bit before transforming him for 5 minutes, though.   

Music and Voice Acting

The music is pretty good. "Mystic Mansion" really got into the setting, and Bullet Station just sounds awesome. The main theme is good but tiresome. Of the team themes, only "This Machine" really works the best. "What I'm Made Of" is and always will be one of the most epic songs in the series. 

This is some of the best voice acting from the original cast, the other game probably being Sonic Battle. Ryan Drummond's voice for Sonic is happy and energetic, finally losing the sarcasm-awkwardness from the Adventure series. Just right. Jennifer Douillard has shown considerable improvement with Amy, putting a lot more into the role. Lani Minella's Rouge voice is also at it's best. 

I do have one main complaint, and it's for Charmy, who just sounds too girlish for a boy (the potato chips line still works though). 

Visuals and Graphics

The CG scenes are fair. The graphics aren't the best, but tolerable. Though do I have to sit through like 5 mintues of Metal Sonic transforming in thunder, rain, and lightning? 

Omega's design is a bit clunky for my taste, but the Chaotix redesigns are awesome. Rouge also wears a different outfit, which I might like better. Interesting to note that in the concept art her outfit was red and black, too, hm...

Final Thoughts

• The Special stage is crap. A-the boost is NOT like the modern boost, don't use it that way or you WILL PAY. B-you can get at least 6 of them by using Big and walking on the CELLING for some reason. C-you'll do fine and then--randomly come to a halt because you somehow fell. What is this, 06? 
• Sonic 2's is WAY WAY WAY better and it came out, you know, like 10 years before. 
• Ultimately I am glad they brought Shadow back, even if it meant SA2 lost a little meaning. However I'm not a huge fan of the android plot. 
• Also, the portrayal of Shadow himself in the game has been greatly exaggerated, I mean one minute he's all "space, did you say space" and the next he's all "some things never change," what the heck?! 
• Sorry, but Shadow the Hedgehog> Heroes Shadow.  The entire game is dedicated to the character's potential. Did it 100% work? No. Did it miss some opportunities with Team Dark? Yeah. But it gives still gives a better idea of "who" he is. 
• Plus "That way you guys can use your super powers," ugh, that's barely better than "you've got this, Sonic," ew.   
• This is the best we see of Metal Sonic, I think, yet the whole "Neo" idea is overrated. Forces may have been an opportunity to flesh out the character's personality when working under Eggman. Too bad.   
• Tails and Knuckles...just get bubbles...shinny little...WHY?
• Part of this game's problem is that Sonic himself is kinda' buried in all these characters. 
• Giving him a super transformation and no one else is NOT a solution. 
• So I'm confused about the sunset thing... 
• HOOHEE

Final Ranking: B 

Eh. What can I say? Beating this game is great, and it's really nice to see the characters work and talk together in the level, too. But it can be long, repetitive, and at points just...boring?

WHAT IF...Silver was replaced with Metal...hm.

Cover vs Original: All Hail Shadow

"All Hail Shadow" was Shadow's True Hero theme in Shadow the Hedgehog. It returned as a cover in Sonic 06. Since then, the song has become Shadow's main theme.

Original (Magna-Fi)

Rough vocals narrate Shadow's situation while the instruments create an air of confidence. Together, they create a theme of finding ones' self and achieving victory.

Crush 40 version

The cover adds in a new portion in the beginning featuring a intense bit from "I am...All of Me." This version seems more focused on determination and Shadow overcoming his past.

Winner: Cover

Adding the that edgy begging was a plus, and generally I think the vocals the are better, too. In the original I like the whispery "all hail Shadow" and think the part "nothing ever fills this hole inside your heart" is amazing. However when compared with Crush 40, Johnny Gioeli's voice combined with Jun Senoue's guitar proves unbeatable.

The original is underrated, but Crush 40 did a better job.

Sonic 06 is Better than Colors (Part 5.6)

Continued from last time, we're now diving into the music of...

SONIC 06

Unlike most topics with Sonic Colors, I praised most of the music. But 06 still outdoes Colors.

Like before, the level's are remarkably in tone. With Colors, you could pick out a tropical tone and sort of guess the setting off of that, but you don't need to even see Crisis City to know the characters are in a desperate situation.

Somehow the tracks not only fit into the location, but to the emotions of them. Aquatic Base has a mysterious mood but keeps a rushed tone below it. Kingdom Valley is elegant but there's a touch of exploration too it.   

Some Tracks
Crisis City (All)
Aquatic Base (Level 1)
Flame Core (Volcano)
White Acropolis (Snowy Peak)

And the variety of music is amazing. The fight with Mephiles, for example, is creepy and panicked while the second "phase" simply gets more intense. 

And it just gets better with the vocals.

The main theme is "His World," which is good, but I like the other versions (Crush 40 and Zebrahead) better. Supposedly there was supposed to be a version with both Zebrahead and Crush 40, but like a lot of 06, that didn't happen.

The theme is an epic combination of Sonic's spiky attitude and the sophisticated setting.

"All Hail Shadow" is actually a Crush 40 cover of Magna-Fi, who made the song for the Hero endings of Shadow the Hedgehog. It's so impressive that it is considered Shadow's theme to this day, resurfacing in games like Sonic and the Black Knight, Sonic Generations, and Sonic Forces.

Silver's theme, "Dreams of Absolution," remains hopeful to the future and fits Silver perfect (it was his debut game, so this was important).

The end credits of Sonic's story is a homage to Sonic 2, "Sweet Dreams." I think it'd sound better with out Akon mixed in, but the song is still sweet. It also fits the Sonic-Elise relationship (which was not weird yet--she doesn't kiss him until Last Story). Unfortunately most took this to an extreme and dislike it for the Sonic-Elise factor. But the original song was made back in the 90s!  


The final closing song is Elise's theme, "My Destiny," which is both sad and sweet. It show's Elise's point of view in the end and gives the game final closure. It also turns up subliminally in the game, like with the Accordion Player and in the menu, which was pretty clever.

06 has a lot more themes than Colors, but did that help or hurt it? [...gee I wonder...] Find out in the next part!