Sonic X Shadow Generations: Complete Green Hill Guide

Sonic has always faced a divide in what style works better. The more momentum-based, platforming-heavy design of the classic games, or the more high-speed action of the modern games. Sonic Generations solved that by giving you a bit of both, and Sonic X Shadow Generations sweetens the deal by adding in Shadow's own campaign.

Sonic X Shadow Generations Gives Us The Best Levels And The Worst Bosses

Sonic X Shadow Generations shines brightest with its Shadow levels, but its boss battles were a janky walk through memory lane.

But there's just no beating a good old fashioned Sonic level, and what's more Sonic than Green Hill Zone? Owing to their diverse styles, both Acts of Green Hill are tough to master but an absolute joy to play through. Here's how to see and everything they have to offer.

How To Get An S Rank In Green Hill

Green Hill is the most well-known and beloved of all Sonic zones, so it's only logical that it is the first area you do in Sonic's side of the adventure. Except you won't quite be able to get everything you want just because you've played Green Hill before. The two Sonic's play dramatically differently.

Green Hill Act 1 S Rank

Green Hill puts you in the red shoes of Classic Sonic in a classic zone. Getting an S Rank isn't the most challenging act here, though it can definitely be a struggle considering just how many routes there are to take, and how much more difficult the platforming is with Classic Sonic.

You'll want to stay as high in the level as you can, as this leads to all of the fastest routes. Many of these routes are pretty easy to miss though, with Sonic easily dahsing past if you don't take a moment to slow down.

Another major tip is to always try to bounce off enemies. This defeats them, but also gives Sonic some extra height to reach new locations. There's no Homing Attack to be had here

Unless you unlock the Homing Attack Skill for it much later in the game.

Classic Sonic is all about momentum, so if you pull to a sudden stop you may not be able to reach certain locations. Instead, it's better to learn the level so you can memorise exactly where you need to stop to slow down. That said, don't be afraid to use the Spin Dash to give you a nice jolt of speed.

A time under 3:00 minutes and a score of at least 50,000 will net you the A Rank, and a Perfect Clear will have that upgraded to an S Rank.

Green Hill Act 2 S Rank

Modern Sonic's jaunt through Green Hill is significantly longer than Classic Sonic's, though it is also a considerably more carefree adventure. Due to Sonic's speed, it is quite forgiving in terms of any mistakes you might make. Just keep up pace and you will have no problem getting that S Rank.

A great trick is that when Sonic is hovering in the air after a big ramp, you can slam down to instantly start running again. This might not seem major, but it can genuinely save you quite a few seconds across the whole Act.

Whenever you get the opportunity to perform tricks, do it. Not only do these refill your Boost gauge, but they will extend it as well, giving you that extra speed you need to win.

There's not much more to Sonic beyond that. His Homing Attack is essential as it lets him bring himself to grind rails, springs, and enemies much faster than just running to them, so always use it when you see something targeted in green.

Clearing the Act in under 3:00 minutes with a score of at least 50,000 will net you the A Rank, and a Perfect Clear will bring it up to the lovely S Rank.

Where To Find Every Red Star Ring In Green Hill

In every level of Sonic Generations, there are ten Red Star Rings to find, a split of five for each Sonic. They are spread throughout the level rather liberally, and not always in the most obvious locations. Here's where to find them all.

You can talk to the character outside of each stage to get a hint on any missing Red Star Rings you have for each Sonic.

Green Hill Act 1 Red Star Rings

Classic Sonic has five Red Star Rings hiding in Green Hill, and they are not always hiding in the higher routes. You'll really need to explore every part of each level to find them.

• Red Star Ring 1: Right at the beginning, between the two bridges with jumping piranhas.
• Red Star Ring 2: Found in the loop after bouncing off an enemy to a higher path.
• Red Star Ring 3: After running along a collapsing path, right before the yellow spring.
• Red Star Ring 4: In the area with the swinging platforms, found by jumping off the second platform while it swings to the left.
• Red Star Ring 5: Found atop a tree on a cliff reached by jumping off an enemy. It can be quite hard to reach without momentum, so use the Aqua Shield to reach the tree.

The reward is the skill, Treasure Scanner.

Green Hill Act 2 Red Star Rings

Modern Sonic likes to go fast, very fast. That makes finding those Red Star Rings a bit harder when you might miss them by just blinking. Here's where you can find them.

• Red Star Ring 1: To the left in the air after hitting the first ramp.
• Red Star Ring 2: In a high section after the Rainbow Ring, reached by using Homing Attack on flying enemies.
• Red Star Ring 3: On the right-most rail in the section where you are chased by a giant piranha.
• Red Star Ring 4: Directly above a spike ball on the grind rail near the end.
• Red Star Ring 5: At the end of a row of enemies in the final stretch towards the goal.

The reward is the skill, Acceleration.

Where To Find Every Hidden Chao In Green Hill

New to Sonic X Shadow Generations are Chaos (as in the little guys, not the emeralds), hidden across every level. All of them are unique, and all of them are very good at hiding. Here's where to see them all.

You can also head to the Collection Room and check the Chao Rescue section to get a hint on where to find all of them.

Green Hill Act 1 Hidden Chaos

The Chaos for Classic Sonic are sneaky little fellas, hiding in plain sight in such a way that you might not even see them unless you're perfectly still. Almost like they don't want to be rescued! Here's where to find them.

• Hidden Chao 1: This Chao is found right at the beginning beside the Ring Box on a ledge.
• Hidden Chao 2: This Chao is found at the bottom of the totem pole covered in springs that leads you upwards. Just fall back down if you missed them.
• Hidden Chao 3: This Chao is found in the same place as the fifth Red Star Ring, inside a rock. Break it to save them.

Green Hill Act 2 Hidden Chaos

Modern Sonic has a bit of a jittery movement at times, making precise movements difficult, and working with the camera while standing still even harder. So we're here to save you from that struggle, and tell you exactly where to find all these Chaos.

• Hidden Chao 1: Right after the initial ramp, smash the rock beside the bounce pad to find this Chao
• Hidden Chao 2: While crossing a gap with some suspended platforms, drop to the lowest section to find this Chao.
• Hidden Chao 3: On the bridge near the end with flying hornet enemies, slam through the bridge to break it. The Chao is at the bottom.

And that is everything that Green Hill has to offer. Which is quite a lot. Everything is always available, so take your time going through it all. You don't want to burn out on the first stage.

8 Sonic The Hedgehog Characters Who Deserve Their Own Game

Give them a chance in the spotlight.