Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-24111359-20140928213322

(WARNING: Unable to finish tonight. PLEASE ignore and avoid until i finish tommorow. Thank you.)

A question that has raged across the fan base ever since Sonic Adventure 2. A question that has been at the centre of many debates. NOT who is the better CHARACTER, but who is the better HERO? The care free, fun loving, adventuring orphan Hedgehog, or the serious, no nonsense, ultimate life form created 50 years ago? While Sonic may be the title character of the franchise, is he truly the best hero? Let us take an in depth analysis into both Hedgehogs.

Zone 1: Backgrounds.

Sonic: The only child of Jules and Bernadette Hedgehog; Sonic the Hedgehog's presumably ideal childhood was thrown into chaos the day that Dr.Ivo Robotnik AKA Eggman, did either two things depending on the timeline; 1. KILL both Jules and Bernadette during an attack on South Island (Theoretical Game timeline), or 2. Roboticise Jules and Bernadette during an attack on South Island. (Archie comics timeline). Sonic would be forced to take a stand against Eggman time and time again as the mad doctor attempted world domination. Over the, theoretically, 6 year time span of the franchise Sonic would meet many new friends and foes on his world wide adventures.

Shadow: Created 50 years ago aboard the space colony ARK; Shadow is THE ultimate lifeform, who was destined to destroy Black Doom and save Earth from the Black Arms. Shadow's only real family was Professer Gerald Robotnik, his father by technicality, and Maria Robotnik, who was like a sister to Shadow would be lost on that tragic day that G.U.N invaded the ARK. Discovered by his technical cousin, Eggman himself, 50 years later, Shadow's future would be determined during SA2.

Zone 2: Personalities.

Sonic: Fun loving and care free, Sonic lives by his own rules and fights evil, not for a desire to be renowned, but because of his strong moral code. Sonic is a loving and compassionate Hedgehog who is willing to die for his friends and planet. Though he may be pure hearted, Sonic is incredibly cocky and quick to angry. He can snap like a kit kat bar in an instant if pushed to his limits, and Sonic X gave us a good look at how fragile he really was inside with the emergence of Dark Sonic and Dark Super Sonic...

Shadow: Strong willed; arrogent at times, dead serious, and rather grumpy, Shadow is certainly a "Get on with it!" guy. Having a moral code just as strong as Sonic, Shadow too will die for his friends and his planet. Shadow is eternally haunted by his past, thus resulting in his no nonsense attitude. Though he is the darkest of the cast, he is arguably more strong willed than Sonic. While G.U.N may be responsible for killing his family; Shadow has never CANONICALLY killed a G.U.N agent despite his initial hatred for G.U.N. He has actually moved on and FORGIVEN his former foes and even joined them in their fight against evil. Shadow may appear to be constantly angry but in truth, after his own game, he is at peace with who he is and will remain calm in virtually every situation... Unlike Sonic.

Zone 3: Comparison.

While Sonic may be this care free and cool dude, he is actually internally broken by his past. Shadow may be angsty and all business guy, despite his traumatic past, he is actually at peace inside. Sonic and Shadow are virtual opposites. While Sonic may have his relaxed and cool persona, inside he is a train wreck. He can snap at a moments notice because he is not a peace inside. He is not at peace with himself or his past, unlike Shadow. 