Shadow Boss Attack

Shadow Boss Attack is a boss attack stage in Sonic the Hedgehog (2006). It is one of the downloadable levels in the game and was released on 20 March 2007 for Xbox 360 on the Xbox Live Marketplace in all regions while the PlayStation 3 version

Gameplay
In order to play the stage, the player needs to have completed the Shadow Episode in regular gameplay. Once cleared, the Shadow Boss Attack can be selected in the Episode Select. Any Level Up Items obtained in the Shadow Episode can be used for this level.

The objective in this level is for the player to defeat the boss or all waves of enemies in each section to progress through the stage. In sections where the player has to defeat the boss, the enemies that spawn are optional for the player to defeat for bonus points. Any Rings obtained are carried over to the next section.

First section
The first section of the level is the battle against the Egg-Cerberus where the fight is nearly identical to the regular boss fight, except for the presence of enemies that spawn in the arena where defeating them is optional. Enemies that spawn here include Egg Gunners and Egg Stingers. The player can use the Pulley and jump off it to enemies standing on the elevated platforms located here or acquire Ring Bonus Item Boxes since they are the only source of Rings in this section. The Egg-Ceberus' attack behavior is slightly different in this level, being able to shake Shadow off even if he grabs onto the antenna for the first time. Once the Egg-Ceberus is defeated, the player proceeds to the next section.

Second section
The second section of the level is an enemy wave attack and it takes place in the Forest. After a wave of enemies is destroyed, the next group of enemies will spawn. The arena in this section has a simple flat layout with towering block platforms which can be reached with Wide Springs. Some enemies will be located on these platforms. There are four Buggy vehicles placed separately around the arena that the player may use to help them. Enemies that spawn here include Egg Gunners, Egg Stingers, the Gunner variants of the Egg Busters, Egg Lancer Egg Keepers, Egg Liners, Egg Rounders, Egg Sweepers, Egg Guardians, Egg Keepers, Egg Busters and Egg Flyers. Once all enemies are defeated, the player is able to proceed to the next section.

Third section
The next section takes place in the future timeline where Iblis in his second phase awaits. The arena now spawns less Rings on the platforms although just like in the previous section, the player can use the Iblis Takers that spawn in this stage as Homing Attack targets to reach Ring Bonus Item Boxes. Attack-pattern wise, Iblis behaves slightly different compared to the original fight, but otherwise uses the same attacks. Once Iblis is defeated, the player can move onto the next section.

Fourth section
The next battle is against Mephiles Phase 1. Like the regular boss fight there are no additional enemies except the player only needs to fight the first half of the battle (the second half of the battle where E-123 Omega takes over in the fight is omitted in this level). The player proceeds to the next section once Mephiles is defeated.

Fifth section
The next section is an enemy wave attack takes place in the same area where Sonic the Hedgehog would normally fight the Egg-Wyvern, although the arena has been modified for this level; a square-border shaped aerial platform appears around the main platform. In addition to every enemy from the second section of the level appears here, the Egg Searchers and Egg Hunters.

Sixth section
In the next section, the player simply battles against Silver the Hedgehog without any additional enemies and his attack pattern remains unchanged from the regular boss fight. Once Silver is defeated, the player can move on to the next section.

Seventh section
The enemy attack wave in this section of the level takes place at the same location where Sonic would normally fight his version of the Egg-Ceberus. However, the layout has being altered slightly in this level; there are considerably more destructible walls and statues placed in the arena. The fallen ruins in the center also form a pathway the player must follow which contain more enemies along the way. Also, instead of Dr. Eggman's robots, the player fights Iblis's Minions as the enemies, namely the Iblis Biters, Iblis Takers, Gazers, Golems, Iblis Worms, Stalkers and Titans. Once all enemies are defeated, the player is able to proceed to the next section.

Final section
In the last section of the level, the player battles against the second phase of Mephiles although just like the original boss fight, there are no additional enemies. Defeating Mephiles will end the level.

Trivia

 * The enemy wave attack sections in Shadow Boss Attack resemble the Robot Carnival and Robot Storm boss fights from Sonic Heroes.