Although many think of Shadow The Hedgehog as a 'bad' game, it is actually quite an amazing game.
Shadow The Hedgehog delivers an experience like no other. To this day, it is unknown as to why people think this is a horrible game, but this game is actually a fun experience. If you've ever played any 3D Sonic game (Sonic Heroes, Sonic Adventure, Sonic Adventure 2, etc.), this game is exactly alike, the only difference being the ability to use guns.
The environments in this game are great. They are not only destructible, but interactive, too. They range from jungles to prisons to cities, etc. The sound effects and music were great and realistic, adding a smooth, flavourful mix to it. The guns, enemies, interactive items, hidden keys, bonus vehicles, different pathways, and dialogue is excellent, adding everything you could want in this game. The only real letdown was the graphics. Sure, few of the cinematics had GREAT graphics, but those were, like I said, few. The rest were the same as the gameplay-crap. The graphics engine is the same one from Sonic Heroes, and it is full of bugs and it is horrible. The characters models were "shiny", too, and that ruined everything. The open ended style of story is great, allowing you to take multiple paths for different stages, for different objectives, different goals, different bosses, different characters, and they had a different feel, even if you were in the same stage. SEGA also added in a few bad words here and there, trying to create the game as "more mature", but unfortunately, they failed, and it actually makes the game more laughable, ridiculous, and, ironically, turns the game's atmosphere more immaturely.
Overall, Shadow The Hedgehog is a great game, renter or buyer. If you are a Sonic fan, you MUST play this game, and if you aren't, give it a try. After all, it could be the one game that will change your perspective towards gaming.