Sonic the Hedgehog 3 kept up with the same storytelling technique as the first two movies, introducing a new hedgehog character and putting them into a situation with the franchise’s main villain, Dr. Robotnik. The first movie, of course, introduced Sonic. The second movie introduced Knuckles and Tails, and the third film brought in Shadow.

In the second movie, Sonic lives with his new family, and then Knuckles shows up, looking for revenge against Sonic for his ancestors’ fall. Knuckles teams with Robotnik and attacks Sonic as they seek the Master Emerald. The third movie seems to repeat the same plot, with Shadow showing up with Grandpa Robotnik, but his introduction was better.

Knuckles’ Sonic 2 Entrance Was Good, But Shadow’s Introduction In Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Was Better

In Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Knuckles enters the scene as a bruiser, someone whose strength is a match for Sonic’s power. However, his introduction is all about revenge for something that Sonic had nothing to do with, which is something Knuckles has to learn throughout the movie. He was an exciting new character, but Shadow has more depth.

Shadow is not looking for revenge against Sonic. Instead, his introduction pulled at the heartstrings, and viewers felt empathy for him thanks to what he had gone through. In this case, Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles rushed in headfirst to battle him, making them almost antagonistic against a character who deserved vengeance.

Seeing Shadow growing up with Maria and developing a human connection was touching and made him so much more sympathetic than Knuckles. It was also essential to show that the United States government, through Project Shadow, had captured him and held him against his will for many years. Shadow had a reason to want revenge.

Shadow losing the one person in the world who meant anything to him was heartbreaking. While this loss also hurt Grandpa Robotnik, the older villain wanted to destroy the world. Shadow had more depth than even Knuckles. Having seen and lost love, he realized there was more to his revenge than just lashing out at the world that hurt him.

Amy Rose’s Introduction Might Be Even Better Than Shadow’s

Amy Rose showed up in the post-credits scenes in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Sonic was racing Tails and Knuckles when he accidentally overshoots the ending and ends up outside New York. At this time, he was attacked by Metal Sonic robots. Luckily for him, Amy Rose showed up and saved him.

This was similar to the first two movies, which hinted at Tails at the end of the first and Shadow at the end of the second. This time around, Amy Rose saves Sonic and appears to be an instant ally. However, this leaves a big question about where she came from and why she is there.

The fourth movie might adapt the story from Sonic CD, a time-travel story in which Dr. Robotnik conquers a planet and creates a robot army. Amy Rose’s introduction is vital in setting up this story, and if she were on Earth looking for help, it could beat even Shadow’s introduction.

If she were just on Earth watching Sonic, it could fall short. But if Amy Rose is coming to Earth to seek help in freeing her planet, this could result in something very different for the next Sonic the Hedgehog movie. Amy Rose’s introduction could help facilitate that change.