The original Sonic Generations put players in the iconic red shoes of Sonic, but the new Sonic X Shadow Generations shifts the focus to Shadow, giving him his moment to shine. While the main Sonic gameplay remains intact, Shadow’s unique levels provide a fresh take on the experience.
One standout level features Kingdom Valley, inspired by the controversial Sonic 06 game but revamped with the smoother controls of Shadow. Let’s dive into what you need to know about navigating Kingdom Valley.
How to Achieve an S Rank in Kingdom Valley
Kingdom Valley tests your ability to stay on high ground while being cautious about your footing. There are various areas where a misstep can lead to a quick demise, but taking risks on certain jumps can reward you with faster routes to your objectives.
Kingdom Valley Act 1 S Rank Strategy
Throughout Kingdom Valley, there are tightrope sections that you can navigate by timing your jumps correctly. Performing a slam at the right moment will send Shadow soaring upwards to reach higher platforms, so utilize this on every tightrope you encounter.
Instead of trying to turn while grinding, use left and right dodges to make navigation easier. You may lose some speed, but it’s much more manageable. When you reach the section with Doom Surf, head to the right and jump off the ramp to access a quicker high route.
In certain surfing segments, you’ll face a monster shooting projectiles. You can use Doom Spear to eliminate these attacks and trigger Chaos Control to gain a significant advantage by launching Doom Blast against your pursuer. Position yourself correctly to skip ahead, saving valuable time.
After grinding down a rail later in the level, be sure to slam down as you land on the tightrope. This will elevate you to a higher altitude, leading you to another grind rail—be sure to jump off and hit an additional rail for a faster path to your goal.
In the final stretch over a water-logged bridge, head right to activate a grind rail. Jump off just before reaching the Dash Ring to bypass enemies and save precious seconds. Employ the tightrope slam technique again to reach another set of Dash Rings, which will get you closer to the finish line.
Complete the mission in under 4 minutes and 30 seconds with a score of at least 40,000 for an A Rank, and aim for a Perfect Clear to earn a coveted S Rank.
Kingdom Valley Act 2 S Rank Strategy
In Act 2, using your boost ability is crucial. There are plenty of quarter pipes that, when hit at speed, can propel you to high routes quickly.
Similar to the slams used in Act 1, make constant use of slams here to break through boxes swiftly and navigate through frequently dropping sections with greater ease.
You’ll encounter enemies that can be targeted with Doom Blast. While many have lock-on points, it’s often more advantageous to aim for statues that activate grind rails, allowing you to seamlessly transition into grinding as soon as you reach the enemies.
In the interior area, you’ll find moving pillars that may hinder your progress. Utilize Chaos Control to secure these pillars in place and create a path for yourself. Collecting rings from nearby enemies will help you refill your chaos gauge.
As you approach the end, look for a looping path that launches you into a Dash Ring. With precise timing, you can skip this loop entirely and land straight in the Dash Ring instead.
If you complete this Act in under 3 minutes and have enough Rings to exceed a score of 40,000, you can secure an A Rank. Achieving a Perfect Clear will bump that ranking up to S.
Locating All Collection Box Keys in Kingdom Valley
In every level of Sonic X Shadow Generations, there are six Collection Box Keys to uncover, with three available in each Act. These keys unlock chests in White Space, Shadow’s hub area. Here’s where to find them all.
Kingdom Valley Act 1 Keys
There are three Keys to find in Act 1: a Music Key, an Artwork Key, and Shadow’s History Key. Here’s how to locate them:
- The first Key is found after launching into a high area and following the grind rail through a cave; it waits at the Speed Ramp at the end.
- The second Key can be found while surfing. Head right and jump off the water ramp, which will lead you to floating platforms and a grind rail where the Key is located.
- The final Key is on the bridge surrounded by water. Activate the grind rail immediately by going right, then jump off to pass through a Dash Ring, with the Key located after your landing.
Kingdom Valley Act 2 Keys
In Act 2, there are also three keys to discover: a Music Key, Shadow’s History Key, and an Artwork Key. Here’s where to find each of them:
- The first Key is located after jumping up a series of poles near the start. Engage the grind rail to find the Key along it.
- The second Key can be accessed inside; in the section with moving platforms over a chasm, use Chaos Control to secure them and reach an upper path with the Key.
- The final Key is found outside again. After a halfpipe section, there will be collapsing platforms to scale. Jump up to gather the Key, and using Chaos Control can simplify this process.
With all Collection Box Keys in hand and your S Rank secured, you can return to White Space to unlock exciting new content.