I haven't suffered through Shadow the Hedgehog so I can't really make an opinion, but to me personally the 3-D Sonic games go like this:
Sonic Adventure: Did a good job in introducing Sonic into 3-D. Knuckles levels DIDN'T SUCK. Big and his missions need to die. Amy and E-Gamma's levels are so-so.
Sonic Adventure 2: Sonic/Shadow levels got better, but the camera got a bit worse for wear (but the final stage for Shadow... holy clusterfuck). Eggman/Tails levels were... boring. Knuckles/Rouge go rid of the previous search system and replaced it with something more frustrating. It's biggest asset is Rouge's jiggle physics. (yeah)
Sonic Heroes: Long levels like S3&K, but had some unique elements. Tag team system was also unique. What happened? **** load of game breaking bugs and having the play through the game with more then one team to beat it.
Sonic '06 Well **** you too Sega.
Sonic and the Secret Rings: What's this? A game where you play as just Sonic? On-rails platforming harkening back to the 2-D days? A story that was unique?! A side-kick that didn't suck ass?! Eggman is a prince?!! Poor level progression, bull-**** EXP system and insane as hell missions. Camera SUCKED TOO.
Sonic and the Black Knight: Gone is the bullshit level progression and insane missions! Still flawed? In some places. But was it leagues better then '06? Absolutely.
Sonic Unleashed: HI I'M CHIP WANT SOME CHOCOLATE?8.0 for Shadow the Hedgehog springs to mind.
Did anyone else actually play Shadow the Hedgehog? It's the closest thing we've had to the stages everyone liked in Sonic Adventure 2, ever. Oh, and there's more of those stages than in Sonic Adventure 2. I'm not saying 8.0 is the right score, but it's leagues ahead of a lot of other Sonic games out there!
Will we see a review on PixlBit for Shadow then?