The gaming industry mourns the loss of Matt Shell, who most recently served as Director of Brand Marketing for Star Wars: Jedi – Survivor. Sadly, he passed away this week from an apparent heart attack.

Imagine if Star Wars was only confined to the silver screens. No epic battles on your Xbox, no wielding lightsabers on your PlayStation, just a galaxy far, far away that you could only visit through movies. Sounds incomplete, doesn’t it? Thankfully, due to visionaries like Matt Shell, the Star Wars universe has been successfully extended into our living rooms and gaming dens, allowing fans to live out their galactic fantasies in a way that few other franchises have managed.

Shell, who worked at LucasArts, isn’t a household name like George Lucas, but his fingerprints can be found on nearly every major Star Wars gaming project that came out in the past 20 years.

Shell began his journey in the gaming industry in the early 2000s, working on various sports titles like World Series Baseball and NCAA College Football 2K3 in production and project management roles. He also worked on beloved properties such as Monkey Island and Indiana Jones. But it was after he joined LucasArts that he truly found his calling. 

One of Shell’s earliest contributions was his involvement in the LEGO Star Wars series. As a Senior Product Marketing Manager, he played a key role in the development and promotion of these beloved games. But Shell’s impact extended far beyond the LEGO Star Wars series. As the Senior Product Marketing Manager for Star Wars: Battlefront and Star Wars: Battlefront II, he helped redefine the Star Wars gaming experience with large-scale multiplayer battles that put players in the middle of iconic moments from the films.

And then there’s Star Wars: Jedi – Fallen Order, a game that many feared would falter under the weight of colossal expectations. Here, Matt’s strategic marketing ensured that it wasn’t just written off as another entry into the crowded market.

It’s striking to see the sheer number of critically acclaimed and commercially successful games that benefited from his talents over the years. Without a doubt, Shell’s passing has left a gaping hole in the hearts of those who knew him and the gaming community at large.

His untimely passing is a tremendous blow to the Star Wars gaming community, but his legacy will live on. Rest in peace, Matt Shell, and may the Force be with you, always.

Warning: The following article contains spoilers for multiple Sonic the Hedgehog games, including Sonic Frontiers.

With dozens of games, comic books, animated series, and even a cinematic universe, Sonic the Hedgehog is the face of a thriving multimedia franchise. In addition to featuring fan-favorite characters such as Tails and Knuckles, all these different media tell stories that revolve around mysterious relics, the Chaos Emeralds.

What’s the history of the Chaos Emeralds in the Sonic games?

The Chaos Emeralds were introduced in the first Sonic the Hedgehog game, released in 1991 for the Mega Drive. In that game, Chaos Emeralds were unique collectibles that represented your ability to beat unique challenge levels. There were six different Chaos Emeralds, each tied to a bonus level. 

In Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Team Sonic introduced the Super Transformation of Sonic as a reward for collecting all the gems. The sequel also increased the number of Chaos Emeralds to seven, which has remained mostly stable for the rest of the franchise. The only game that bends the rules is Sonic the Fighters, in which there are eight Chaos Emeralds. However, the extra Emerald had been added because eight playable characters are in the fighting arcade title, not for lore reasons.

The origins of the Chaos Emerald remains a mystery. Still, the seven jewels are at the center of almost every major conflict that has ever taken place in the Sonic universe. As years went by, new Sonic titles have also made collecting the Chaos Emerald a prerequisite to beating the game or having access to a good ending. As such, Chaos Emeralds became inseparable from Sonic’s gaming history.

In 2022, Team Sonic expanded the lore of the Chaos Emeralds with Sonic Frontiers, the franchise’s first open-world game. In the game, we learn that the Chaos Emeralds were relics from the Antiants, an alien civilization whose planet got destroyed by a mysterious force, leading them into exodus. This revelation underlines the alien origin of the Chaos Emeralds and raises a whole new set of questions about the Master Emerald. 

The Master Emerald seems to have a different origin from the Chaos Emeralds, despite both emanating a similar energy and being intertwined in several Sonic stories. Team Sonic will undoubtedly explore the lore of the Chaos Emeralds in sequels for Sonic Frontiers, which became a sales and critical success.

Where do the Chaos Emeralds come from in the Sonic the Hedgehog movies?

While the games’ Chaos Emeralds are separated entities from Master Emerald, Sonic the Hedgehog movies retconned their history. As the film reveals, the Master Emerald was forged by the Echidnas from the union of the seven Chaos Emeralds. The Echidnas wanted to create the ultimate weapon, so they used the unlimited energy of the Chaos Emeralds to fuel their warmongering ambitions.

The movies have not yet explored the origins of the Chaos Emeralds nor explained how the Echidnas managed to unite them all. However, the ending of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 shows how Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) uses the Chaos Emerald to become Super Sonic after the Master Emerald is shattered. Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba) manages to reforge the Master Emerald, but it’s unclear if the new relic holds the Chaos emeralds or if they are now separated. Considering the jewel’s central role in the gaming franchise, Paramount will likely bring the Chaos Emeralds back for Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

Other versions of the Chaos Emeralds

Beyond the gaming world, Sonic has also inspired many comic book runs and animated series. Some of these alternative stories offer their spin on the Chaos Emeralds. For instance, in Fleetway Editions’s Sonic the Comic, the Chaos Emeralds were initially regular green emeralds dug from mines by the Echidnas. These jewels were later imbued with magical power by the Drakons, an alien race that tried to conquer the world. In this version of the story, the Master Emerald is one of the Chaos Emeralds, able to control the other six.

In its turn, Archie Comics’ Sonic the Hedgehog explains how numerous Chaos Emeralds spread all over the cosmos before they were brought together to Sonic’s planet, Mobius, and banished to the Special Zone. The ruler of the Special Zone would compress all the Chaos Emeralds into seven gems to be delivered to those worthy of completing his challenges. This version sticks closer to the games, giving even a lore reason for the existence of the Special Zone levels.

The animated series Sonic Underground takes a note from Archie Comics by claiming multiple Chaos Emeralds spread worldwide, each containing incredible power. Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, another animated series, takes an opposite direction and claims there are only four Chaos Emeralds, each capable of granting its bearer a superpower such as invisibility or superhuman strength. In Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, the jewels are bound to the past, which means time travel is the only way to collect them.

Other comic books and animated series stick to the games, keeping the Chaos Emerald’s origin a secret or pointing out their alien origin. The Sonic cinematic universe can adapt many different materials to live-action. The future of the Chaos Emeralds should become clearer after the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 on Dec. 20, 2024.

Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Paramount Plus’ Knuckles.

Knuckles is a delightful road trip adventure that perfects Sonic the Hedgehog’s winning formula of heartfelt character development and unbound goofiness. The spinoff series also nods at how Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will expand on the cinematic universe.

Set in the aftermath of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Knuckles explores how the red Echidna warrior is dealing with his new earthly life. Since the Master Emerald is secured and Dr. Robotnik is defeated, Knuckles no longer has a reason to fight. This is the first time the warrior has the time to lie down and relax, but Knuckles simply doesn’t know how. That’s why he embarks on a road trip with Wade Whipple, a loser Green Hills cop that Knuckles is determined to train in ways of the Echidna.

While Knuckles expands on its titular character’s past and explains what’s happening to the Sonic Team after Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the spinoff series mostly tells a self-contained story. There is no big reveal regarding Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and the threequel is still shrouded by mystery. However, looking closely at Knuckles, we find some interesting clues about the future of the Sonic cinematic universe.

Knuckles is a standalone adventure, but it still teases the future of Sonic

Knuckles introduces a new villain, the Buyer, a former lackey of Dr. Robotnik who became a powerful weapons dealer in the black market. The Buyer is a clever inventor, but his success is due to G.U.N. agents Mason and Willoughby. The duo has been selling G.U.N. assets to The Buyer, including robots created by Dr. Robotnik. Knuckles doesn’t specify how many weapons are born from The Buyer’s criminal activities. However, it explains how Dr. Robotnik’s technology is still circling the world, waiting for Team Sonic to take them down.

Knuckles also teases a different alien activity that happened in Reno, Nevada. In the series’ last episode, the host of the Bowling Championship reveals that the competition had faced an intergalactic threat once before, in 1974. The only information they give about this event is that the alien wasn’t red the previous time. We know when Sonic and Tails arrived on Earth. So, the series is teasing a different character. 

The most obvious option is Shadow, who’ll appear in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 after being revealed in Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s post-credits scene. In the scene, Shadow is locked in a research facility, which means unknown parties have captured him. While we’ll have to wait for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 to be sure, Shadow could have been locked away since 1974, which would explain Knuckles‘ strange mention of the date.

All six episodes of Knuckles are currently available on Paramount Plus. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 races to theaters on December 20, 2024.

Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Paramount Plus’ Knuckles.

Knuckles is a delightful spinoff of Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog movies. But, surprisingly, the series isn’t wall-to-wall Easter Eggs and references. 

Instead of betting on nostalgia and video game nods to grab Sonic fans’ attention, Knuckles puts all its creative energy into telling a wacky story with a lot of heart. As such, Easter Eggs pop up sporadically, never stealing the spotlight from the series’ main characters. Nevertheless, there are some clever references to the Sonic video game franchise and pop culture in general. Here’s every Easter Egg and reference we spotted in Knuckles’ first (and hopefully not last) season.

Episode 1: The Warrior

• The story of Knuckles begins in Green Hills, a small Montana town that serves as headquarters for Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) and his friends. The city has already appeared in both Sonic the Hedgehog movies. Still, for those needing a reminder, “Green Hill Zone” is the first level in 1991’s Sonic the Hedgehog game, the blue speedster’s first adventure.
• At the start of Episode 1 of Knuckles, we watch as the red echidna (voiced by Idris Elba) runs through an obstacle course. At the end of the course, Knuckles taps a sign, which spins a few times before showing its backside. Knuckles face is painted on the back of the sign. The scene is a nod to the classic Sonic the Hedgehog video games, where you turn a sign with your face at the end of every level, precisely like Knuckles does in the obstacle course.

• During Knuckles’ fight against the construction workers, he mistakes them for trespassers, and the furry warrior digs himself into the ground to surprise his enemies. In the games, the ability to dig was first introduced in Sonic Adventures, where Knuckles could collect the Shovel Claws to find treasures and hidden passages on the ground. Because of that, digging became an ability associated with the character.
• When Sonic tries to share his hobbies with Knuckles, he shows him VR equipment, underlining how video games “came a long way since the 1990s.” That’s an obvious nod to the first Sonic the Hedgehog game, released in 1991 for the Mega Drive.
• G.U.N. is back for the Knuckles spinoff after playing a significant role in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The Guardian Units of Nations is an international government organization responsible for surveilling alien activity and protecting humanity from intergalactic threats. G.U.N. first appeared in 2001’s Sonic Adventures 2.

• The bowling alley that becomes the stage for the first episode’s big fight is named Neon Nightz. No “Neon Night Zone” level exists in any official Sonic game. However, there is a “Neon Palace Zone” in Sonic Rivals 2 and a “Casino Night Zone” in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The bowling alley name could be a mash-up of these two different levels. Or it could be an homage to a fan-made game named Sonic Axiom, which indeed has a “Neon Night Zone.”

Episode 2: Don’t Ever Say I Wasn’t There For You

• The resort where the villains trap Knuckles is called Ice Cap Ski Resort. That refers to the “Ice Cap Zone” level in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
• When Wade Whipple (Adam Pally) has a flashback to his time studying to become a cop, we learn that he got all his police knowledge from movies. In the flashback, Wade is watching 1995’s Bad Boys, starring Martin Lawrence and Will Smith.
• Knuckles’ ability to glide was used first in Sonic & Knuckles. Since then, gliding has become a signature move of the red echidna. If you are wondering how Knuckles can glide, the official explanation is that he can hold pockets of air under his dreadlocks to break his fall.

• While Wade and Knuckles are gliding, they pass in front of the full moon. The scene nods to Steven Spielberg’s E.T., which introduced the wildly famous shot of children riding flying bikes.

Episode 3: The Shabbat Dinner

• The third episode of Knuckles takes us to Wade’s childhood bedroom. The walls are covered with posters from 1990s movies and TV shows, which Wade introduces to Knuckles as his personal pantheon, the people who inspire him to be who he is. In case you missed any reference, there are posters for Beavis and Butt-Head, Ren & Stimpy, Total Recall, Karate Kid, Robocop, The Addams Familly, The Big Lebowski, Speed, Robin Hood, The Naked Gun 2 ½: The Smell of Fear, and Wayne’s World 2. In addition, Wade’s bed linen is from the 1990s animated series of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
• The movie Mama Whipple (Stockard Channing) is watching with Knuckles in the living room is Pretty Woman, starring Julia Roberts as a sex worker who falls in love with a client. Knuckles does not know why people treat Roberts’ character with disdain in the movie, but Mama Whipple is there to explain people are judgmental and closed-minded. Who had “The Sonic franchise is sex-positive” on their bingo card?

Episode 4: The Flames of Disaster

• During Episode 4’s rock opera sequence — which is a masterpiece of television storytelling, by the way — Wade puts on a Knuckles costume and experiences a fever dream about the Echidna’s past. The sequence makes another nod to Green Hill Zone by having Wade-Knuckles traverse obstacles inspired by the first level in Sonic’s gaming history, wasps enemies included.
• Episode 4 reveals Knuckles fought a demon after the Echidna Clan was slaughtered, and he was forced to wander alone through the galaxy. While the demon in the rock opera remains unnamed, he is most likely a member of the Zeti species. The Zeti are ancient demons determined to conquer Earth, serving as Sonic Lost World‘s main enemies. The creature’s design even resembles Zavok, the leader of the Zeti in the game.
• When Knuckles was introduced, he had sparkle powers similar to Sonic’s. However, in Sonic Adventures 2, the designers decided to give Knuckles’ attacks a twist by adding fire particles to them. Since then, Knuckles has been associated with fire attacks in multiple games, including the successful Sonic Frontiers. The series gives a new origin for Knuckles’ flaming fists, as the warrior won his powers after defeating a mighty demon.

• Before dueling Wade, Jack Sinclair (Julian Barratt) reveals that Hattori Hanzo forged his swords. Hanzo is a legendary Japanese historical figure known for his combat prowess and ninja skills.

Episode 5: Reno, Baby

• The bowling championship of Episode 5 has been graced with the presence of Kevin James. James is known for his stand-up comedy career and for appearing in movies such as Hitch, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, Pixels, and Becky.

Episode 6: What Happens in Reno, Stays in Reno

• Episode 6 finally reveals Knuckles Flames of Disaster, which increases the warrior’s attack power and turns his fists into incandescent weapons.
• At the end of the episode, the bowling championship hosts reveal the competition had another incident involving an alien in 1974. The only difference is that the previous alien wasn’t red. There’s no record in Sonic lore about an alien incident in 1974, but the year has two galactic events in the real world. First, in 1974, we sent the Arecibo message, a radio wave containing basic information about humanity for aliens to find in the cosmos. 1974 was also the year a family found the Betz mystery sphere, a metallic artifact of unknown origins that many believe to be alien. The year 1974 might also be foreshadowing Shadow’s cinematic story. As the post-credits scene in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 reveals, Shadow is kept in a secret facility. So, he might have been captured in 1974.

All six episodes of Knuckles are currently available on Paramount Plus. The next chapter in the cinematic universe is Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which comes to theaters on December 20, 2024.

Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Paramount Plus’ Knuckles.

Knuckles takes everything Sonic the Hedgehog does and amps it to the max, delivering a heartfelt adventure filled with nonsensical wonders. What’s better still is that Knuckles’ ending leaves plenty of space for a second season or more Sonic the Hedgehog spinoffs.

Knuckles follows the titular character as he tries to find a new purpose on Earth. Since the Master Emerald is safe and Dr. Robotnik has been defeated, Knuckles doesn’t know how to spend his days. Since childhood, the Echidna knew nothing but a warrior’s life, and he’s not used to times of peace.

Knuckles finds his calling after receiving a visit from the ghost of Pachacamac, the deceased leader of the Echidna clan. Pachacamac tells Knuckles he must reforge the clan by training a new discipline in the Echidna way, the goofy cop Wade Whipple. The duo embarks on a road trip to Reno, Nevada, where Wade will fulfill his warrior destiny by facing his stranded father, “Pistol” Pete. It’s a surreal concept that works, thanks to all the loose threads tying up perfectly at the series’ ending.

What happened to Agents Mason and Willoughby?

While trying to get to Reno, Knuckles and Wade are chased by Agents Mason and Willoughby. The duo has used their G.U.N. access to sell weapons and technology to a mysterious villain named The Buyer, who wants to use the aliens’ power to create the ultimate weapons. Mason and Willoughby know Knuckles is a prize that can get them a fortune, so they try to capture the Echidna for The Buyer.

The final confrontation with Mason and Willoughby happens at “Pistol” Pete’s suit in Reno. Wade’s father betrays his family and helps the villains track Knuckles down, but Wade manages to help Echidna fight back. It’s a thrilling battle since the Agents use weapons powered by Knuckles’ quills, making them a mighty threat. However, Knuckles manages to use the Agents’ equipment against them.

Willoughby tries to teleport Knuckles inside a cage by shooting Rings at him. Knuckles uses his fists to reflect the Rings, creating two connected portals inside the room. The proximity of the portals turns them into a black hole, sucking everything in their path. Knuckles manages to hold on to the ceiling, but Mason and Willoughby are dragged into the rings. The rings collapse once they suck one another, closing the space rift they had created. It’s unknown if Mason and Willoughby ended up on a distant planet or if they were crushed by the weight of space folding over itself. In any case, the villains’ greed proved to be their doom.

Did Wade get closure with his father, Pistol Pete?

Wade wants to go to Reno to compete in the country’s most prestigious Bowling Championship. The current champion is Wade’s father, who abandoned him when he was a child. Wade hopes to show his father his bowling skills as an ice-breaker so that they can forge a new relationship. Of course, things don’t go as Wade expects because Pistol Pete is a narcissistic schmuck.

Pistol Pete helps Agents Mason and Willoughby to kidnap Wade’s mother, Wendy (Stockard Channing), and sister, Wanda (Edi Patterson). The Agents want Wade to betray Knuckles, but people only wish his son to give up the Bowling Championship.

After Knuckles defeats the Agents, Wade faces his father in the lanes in a fierce competition for the title of best bowler. Pete tries to humiliate Wade in public, telling his son he will always be a failure. However, by then, Wade learned from Knuckles that a warrior’s true strength comes from his heart. Wade uses impressive bowling skills to win the Championship, proving he doesn’t need his father, and the support of his mother and sister is enough for him. It’s a thrilling moment that gets interrupted by The Buyer.

How did Wade and Knuckles defeat The Buyer?

While Wade is showing Pet who’s the best bowler, The Buyer comes to Reno inside a giant mecha to steal Knuckles’ powers himself. The battle ends in the bowling lane, where Wade sees his red friend beaten to a pulp by the Buyer. The Buyer not only best Knuckles in combat but also drains his power using the metallic tentacles of his mecha. All hope seems lost, but Wade is no longer a coward, thanks to Knuckles.

Using Agent Mason’s power gloves and bowling balls, Wade challenges The Buyer. Meanwhile, Wade also tells Knuckles he’s a true friend who showed him how to be a warrior. Moved by Wade’s words, Knuckles gets up, igniting his fists and attacking The Buyer. The Buyer is surprised, as he thinks he drained Knuckles’ energies. A warrior’s heart power is unlimited, and Knuckles easily overcomes the villain. The Echidna takes his power back and uses it to crush The Buyer’s robot, burying him in the rubble.

Did Knuckles find his home?

At the end of the journey, Wade learned about his true strength and got closure with his family. Knuckles, on his turn, found a friend for life who taught him that home is where your loved ones are. After spending so many years alone, Knuckles learns to count on those close to him. The series post-credits scene even shows how Knuckles found his jam, which means he’s ready to accept life on Earth and to enjoy the world for a while instead of looking for the next big fight. It’s a happy ending for a thrilling adventure, and we can’t wait to see where these characters go next.

All six episodes of Knuckles are currently available on Paramount Plus. The Echidna warrior will return for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which will be released in theaters on December 20, 2024.

Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Paramount Plus’ Knuckles.

Sonic the Hedgehog is a surprising box office hit, which means Paramount jammed their thumb on the “cinematic universe” button as fast as they could. Hollywood’s IP expansions can often dilute quality, but Knuckles proves the Sonic cinematic universe has rich spinoff potential.

Knuckles follows the titular Echidna as he goes on a road trip to Reno, Nevada, where Wade Whipple will meet his fate and become a warrior. While the series sounds like it’s copying the first Sonic the Hedgehog structure, the spinoff takes a vastly different path. In fact, Knuckles is arguably better than both Sonic movies, as it isn’t afraid to get weird.

It’s not surprising that Knuckles is bursting with creativity and taking significant risks. Theatrical releases usually have more executive intervention, as a movie is an expensive investment that has to pay off. So, when it comes to the main chapters of the Sonic franchise, Paramount has to play it safe, lest they lose their profitable box office. 

Even if spinoffs also want to capitalize on an IP success, their eventual failure is less of a concern, as they can ultimately be ignored by fans and producers alike. On the contrary, spinoff series can serve to test the waters and measure public interest. Knuckles, for instance, tells a story that supposedly bridges the gap between the second and third Sonic movies, but it’s not essential viewing. Instead, the spinoff series is determined to tell an entertaining story filled with heart and surreal sequences. 

By giving the Knuckles team more creative freedom, Paramount can understand how far it can push the franchise and succeed. Plus, since the TV show is not tasked with setting up Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Knuckles can be its own thing, to be enjoyed by old and new fans in equal measure. That’s the best approach for spinoffs, as it allows each part of a cinematic universe to be independently enjoyable in place of mandatory homework for understanding a franchise. With that in mind, we hope Paramount releases more Sonic the Hedgehog spinoffs. Fortunately, many characters could already get the Knuckles treatment.

Which Sonic the Hedgehog characters could star in upcoming spinoffs?

Even if Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is set to hit theaters in December 2024, Paramount is developing the project under absolute secrecy. We know Jim Carrey will return as Dr. Robotnik, even though the actor announced his possible retirement after Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Plus, Keanu Reeves was chosen to voice Shadow the Hedgehog, the only new character confirmed. However, the threequel’s cast includes big names such as Krysten Ritter, Sofia Pernas, Cristo Fernández, James Wolk, and Jorma Taccone. So, the Sonic cinematic universe is getting ready to add many characters that could star in their spinoffs. Still, with what we already know, Paramount already has a lot of working material.

Tails and Tika Sumpter should get their own road trip

In the first Sonic the Hedgehog movie, Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) embarks on a journey with father figure Tom Wachowski (James Marsden). The trip allows both characters to get their arcs, with Tom and Sonic becoming a family and finding purpose together. Something similar happens in Knuckles, as the Echidna and Wade help each other to discover their place in the world.

Do you know who hasn’t gotten their road trip yet? Miles “Tails” Prower (Colleen O’Shaughnessey), the flying fox from the second movie. Plus, Paramount already has the perfect travel partner for Tails, Maddie Wachowski (Tika Sumpter). While Maddie has been a key character in the movies, she didn’t have enough screen time for us to truly know her, so partnering up with Tails for a spinoff series would serve a double purpose.

Do an Agent Stone and Dr. Robotinik Rom-Com, you cowards!

Even if Dr. Robotnik is the big baddie of the Sonic movies, Agent Stone (Lee Majdoub) does a lot of heavy lifting. While Stone begins his career as an assistant, he takes over Robotnik’s enterprise after the villain vanishes in the Mushroom Planet. There’s a lot of history we don’t know about these two characters, and a spinoff focused on Dr. Robotnik and his crew would be great. The only way to improve it is to turn it into a rom-com, making the best of Agent Stone’s eye-heart energy towards his master.

Keanu Reeves’s Shadow deserves a John Wick-like spinoff

Casting Keanu Reeves as Shadow is a brilliant move. For those who do not know the Sonic games, Shadow is a gun-fu antihero who isn’t afraid to shoot his enemies dead. Yes, that’s right, Shadown is the John Wick of the Sonic universe, so why not use Reeves’s star power to carry a spinoff of his own? A Shadow spinoff can occur after the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 or explore the alien’s past. Either way, we hope Reeves is part of the cinematic universe moving forward.

Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Paramount Plus’ Knuckles.

We all expected Knuckles to be as entertaining as the Sonic the Hedgehog movies. However, it may be a shock that the spinoff has one of the best episodes in TV history. Seriously!

Set after the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Knuckles follows the titular Echidna as he struggles to adapt to life on Earth. Since childhood, Knuckles followed the warrior precepts of the Echidna Clan and traveled the galaxy in search of the Master Emerald. However, now that the artifact is safe on Earth, he has no goal. In addition, since his childhood was stolen due to the war between Echidnas and Owls, Knuckles cannot relax and enjoy his free time. 

In the spinoff series, Knuckles is visited by the spirit of the deceased leader Pachacamac, who gives the last member of the Echidna Clan the task of rebuilding their lost tribe. To do that, Knuckles must train Wade Whipple, the incompetent Green Hills cop who serves as a comedic relief in the Sonic the Hedgehog movies. In his turn, Wade is going to Reno, Nevada, where he hopes to win a bowling championship. 

The seriousness of Knuckles’ mission and the apparent low stakes of Wade’s objective create a laughable contrast that helps the series spinoff remain lighthearted. However, in Episode 4, “The Flames of Disaster,” Knuckles proves you can be goofy while still hitting the audience right in the feels.

“The Flames of Disaster” is a prime example of great television

In Episode 4, “The Flames of Disaster,” Wade is captured by bounty hunter Jack Sinclair, the cop’s former best friend. Instead of rushing to Wade’s rescue, Knuckles decides his disciple must escape alone if he ever wishes to become an Echidna warrior. Right from the start, “The Flames of Disaster” introduces a new problem that must be solved in half an hour, as a good TV episode must do. Meanwhile, Episode 4 shows how the journey is way more important than the destination by giving Wade the trippiest life experience.

While trapped inside an electrified cage, Pachacamac transports Wade to the afterlife. There, Wade is forced to wear Knuckles’ shoes and learn about Echidna’s past. It’s a classic spiritual journey through which Wade can understand what moves Knuckles and unleash his inner strength. What’s so surprising is that “The Flames of Disaster” decides to do that as an imaginary rock opera set in a bowling alley, where Wade is dressed as Knuckles in a theatrical presentation. There’s singing and jokes, and the practical effects are so well-crafted that you’ll wish Paramount to release a Sonic musical on Broadway. 

Technically, “The Flames of Disaster” is impressive. Still, our admiration for the episode grows when we consider what’s happening. The Sonic the Hedgehog movies are nonsensical and corny, so, of course, Knuckles had to be too. Mimicry was not enough for the spinoff, though, as the series amps the wackiness to unimaginable levels thanks to its rock opera number. Yet, the mindblowing episode reveals tragic details of Knuckles‘ past that give the character an emotional depth Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was incapable of doing. At the same time, Wade is finally realizing that his worth shouldn’t be measured by his physical prowess but by the fire burning inside his heart.

As if the rock opera wasn’t enough, Episode 4 of Knuckles takes things further by having Wade duel Jack Sinclair for his freedom. Jack has his motorcycle and a pair of Japanese swords, so he proposes a joust. Instead of riding a horse, Wade grabs a child’s bicycle to pedal against Jack’s mechanical beast. Everything in this scene is funny, from the subversion of the joust structure to Wade’s clumsy ride. Yet, Knuckles manages to perfectly balance the comedy with the tension that comes from the battle.

Episode 4 of Knuckles has it all. First, it’s a visual spectacle in which the creative minds behind the spinoff series find new and surprising ways to tell a somewhat cliché story. Then, it’s a miraculous work of art that allows the series to be at its weirdest while maintaining high emotional stakes. There’s no way a fever dream like “The Flames of Disaster” could work on paper. Yet, Knuckles brings it to life with flying colors.  It’s an incredible feat that defies expectations and results in one of the best episodes in TV history.

All six episodes of Knuckles are currently available on Paramount Plus.

Warning: The following article contains spoilers for the movie Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 brings Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) back from the Mushroom Planet, introduces Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba), and allows Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) to use his Super Transformation for the first time in theaters. All these plot elements revolve around the fabled Master Emerald.

What is Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s Master Emerald?

In the first Sonic the Hedgehog live-action movie, we learn that the Blue Speedster arrives on Earth after being gifted a bag of teleportation rings by Longclaw, a member of the Owl Tribe. Longclaw sends Sonic away and stays behind to fight off a group of unknown attackers. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 expands on this mysterious scene, explaining how Sonic and Longclaw are connected to the Master Emerald.

Long before the first movie’s events unfold, the Echidna Clan unites the seven Chaos Emeralds, creating the Master Emerald. This powerful artifact of infinite energy allows its bearer to shape reality, either to conjure miracles or summon unspeakable nightmares. The Owls feared the Echidna Clan would use the Master Emerald to wage war, which was a fair assumption, given the group’s warrior ways. So, the Owls attacked the Echidnas, stole the Master Emerald, and hid it on Earth.

The people attacking Longclaw and Sonic at the beginning of the first movie are the last adult members of the Echidna Clan. The warriors leave an infant Knuckles and go after Longclaw to reclaim the Master Emerald and their glory. Longclaw had anticipated the attack, so she hid the map leading to the Master Emerald with Sonic’s affairs before sending him alone on a journey through different planets. Longclaw and the Echidnas die during their confrontation, turning Sonic and Knuckles into tragic orphans.

What happens to the Master Emerald in Sonic the Hedgehog 2?

In Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Knuckles works with Dr. Robotnik to pursue Sonic, retrieve the map, and find the Master Emerald. That happens because, as far as Knuckles’ knowledge goes, Sonic is the last member of the tribe responsible for the decimation of his people. Knuckles is eventually betrayed by Robotnik, who claims the jewel’s power for himself. That forces Knuckles and Sonic to put their differences aside and join forces to avoid the world’s destruction.

In the battle against Dr. Robotnik and his giant mecha, the Master Emerald is shattered into pieces. After that, Sonic manages to use the power of the seven Chaos Emeralds to become Super Sonic and defeat Dr. Robotnik. Knuckles manages to use his powers to compress all the pieces of the Master Emerald and reforge the jewel. However, the movie doesn’t make it clear if the Chaos Emeralds are once again contained inside the Master Emerald or if all these jewels are separate entities after the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. 

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will most likely expand on the mystical artifacts. Still, looking at the Sonic games reveals how the Master Emerald can return to the cinematic universe.

The movie’s Master Emerald is quite different from the Sonic games

In the Sonic games, the Chaos Emerald was always independent from the Master Emerald. The Chaos Emeralds have the power to bend time and space, besides granting the infinite energy needed for Sonic to achieve his Super Transformation. The Master Emerald, on its turn, can either increase or nullify the power of the Chaos Emerald. Some games use the Master Emerald to prevent villains from wreaking havoc with the Chaos Emeralds, while in others, the giant green jewel is a tool the heroes use to conquer mighty foes.

In the games, the Master Emerald is also a prison for an entity named Chaos. Chaos is a being of pure energy and one of the first guardians of the Chaos Emeralds. However, due to an attack by the Knuckles Clan, Chaos lost its mind and went on a rampage that could have destroyed the world. The Knuckles Clan, realizing the errors of their ways, sealed Chaos inside the Master Emerald, becoming the jewel’s eternal protector.

The Sonic the Hedgehog movies have only scratched the surface of the Master Emerald’s lore. They have simplified the relic’s story while keeping its connection to the Echidnas. However, the cinematic universe still has to explain where the Chaos Emeralds come from and how they will be related to the Master Emerald in the future. If they draw inspiration from the games, the upcoming movies and TV shows of the Sonic franchise might get even wilder than they already are.

Warning: The following article contains minor spoilers for Paramount Plus’ Knuckles.

With Knuckles, Paramount is expanding the scope of its beloved Sonic the Hedgehog cinematic universe. However, the fact that the series focuses on Knuckles raises questions about its place in the timeline.

Knuckles was introduced in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The movie reveals that Sonic’s foster tribe of Owls waged war against Knuckles’ Echidna Clan, a vicious conflict that left almost no survivors behind. As the last member of his species, Knuckles takes on the task of restoring glory to his clan by retrieving the Master Emerald, a journey that leads him to Sonic.

While Knuckles and Sonic initially fight, they eventually join forces to stop Dr. Robotinik. Once the villain is defeated, Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails make an oath to keep the Master Emerald safe. Considering Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s ending, the Knuckles series could be a prequel exploring the years the titular character wandered alone through the galaxy in search of the Master Emerald. It could also be a direct sequel that explains how Knuckles acclimates to life on Earth. As it turns out, Knuckles is a bit of both.

When does Knuckles take place in the ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ timeline?

Knuckles‘ main story unfolds after the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. As the series’ trailer betrays, Knuckles will follow the red echidna on a journey to find his purpose on Earth. Joining him is Wade Whipple (Adam Pally), who will be trained in the ways of the Echidna as Knuckles’ discipline. It’s the same kind of goofy plot that turned both Sonic movies into box-office monsters.

However, while the series is set in the present, Knuckles also sheds some light on the red echidna’s lonely journey through the cosmos. Episode 4, in particular, is all about Knuckles’ grim childhood and how he found the strength to become a warrior. It’s also one of the best episodes in the history of television, so don’t miss it.

By sticking to the present, Knuckles helps to bridge the gap between Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and its upcoming theatrical sequel. Still, the series fulfills its mission of giving Knuckles time to shine and revealing more details about his persona. It’s the perfect approach to honor the past and tease the future, making this an unmissable spectacle for Sonic fans.

All six episodes of Knuckles hit Paramount Plus on April 26, 2024. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 comes to theaters on Dec. 20, 2024.

It doesn’t really matter if you main survivor or killer in Dead by Daylight — it’s always good to keep track of the strongest perks, builds, and traits for each character. Just like how Ace Viscount essentially has Iron Will in his build without actually needing to use the perk.

Keeping that in mind, it’s nearly impossible to maintain a completely accurate list of all survivors and killers ranked. Perks are consistently being reworked, buffed, or nerfed with every patch, making it quite challenging to keep a list constantly updated. With that said though, on the website dennisreep, Dead by Daylight fans can vote for the best survivors, killers, and perks. So, don’t just take our word for it: here’s a list of the survivors in Dead by Daylight, ranked from worst to best, as voted by the audience.

Dead by Daylight survivors ranked from worst to best

If you’re considering which survivor DLC to purchase next, you might want to check the strongest perks in Dead by Daylight. However, it ultimately boils down to personal preference. Even if a survivor is considered relatively weak based on their perks, it doesn’t mean you won’t have a lot of fun with them (take Jane’s bugged yet hilarious Head On, for instance). But here’s what the people say:

Worst Survivors:

• Haddie
• Jane
• Claudette
• Gabriel
• Adam
• Élodie
• Jake
• Jonah
• Yoichi
• Nea
• Steve
• David Tapp
• Vittorio
• Meg
• Thalita
• Dwight
• Renato
• Laurie
• David King
• Kate
• Felix
• Quentin
• Bill
• Ellen

Best survivors:

• Ash
• Zarina
• Leon
• Ada
• Rebecca
• Mikaela
• Jill
• Yun-Jin
• Nancy
• Feng
• Alan
• Ace
• Nicolas Cage
• Jeff
• Sable
• Cheryl
• Yui

Once again, in the end, it all comes down to what you consider to be the best character for you. Whether it is through their design, in-built traits, or perks, in the end, what the majority believes, isn’t always the right choice for you. What’s more, it ultimately comes down to the type of gameplay you enjoy. If you like the chase, or if you want to go through the game as unnoticed as possible, the perks will be the ones helping you with your goal; not necessarily the survivor itself.

That said, there are essentially no locked-in perks, even if there are traits (like being quieter while grunting), which means that by unlocking each character’s perks at level 50, every survivor can use that character’s perks. So, just choose wisely, and find which survivor fits your taste — and which one catches your eye. However, I still recommend checking the individual perks instead — if you wish to win, that is.

As part of a new cinematic universe, Knuckles has the double task of telling its own story and setting the stage for future Sonic the Hedgehog projects. By the rules of modern Hollywood this almost always means a post-credit scene.

Set after Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Knuckles follows the red Echidna warrior (voiced by Idris Elba) as he trains goofy police officer Wade Whipple (Adam Pally) in the ways of his clan. For Wade, that means gathering the courage to become a bowling master, while Knuckles hopes to reestablish his clan to its former glory. Meanwhile, new villains are around to fill the gap left by Dr. Robotnik’s (Jim Carrey) demise, meaning that Knuckles will have to tap into his alien power to survive and protect the ones he loves.

It’s the perfect concept for a Sonic spinoff, ripe for offering exhilarating action set pieces, heartfelt moments, and surreal comedy. We loved it, so check out our full review here.

While Knuckles‘ synopsis suggests a standalone adventure, fans are curious to learn how the spinoff series teases Sonic the Hedgehog 3, coming to theaters on Dec. 20, 2024. The embargo prevents us from going into specifics, but we can confirm that Knuckles has a single post-credit scene after the season’s final episode.

Does Knuckles’ post-credit Scene tease future Sonic projects?

Post-credit scenes of big Hollywood franchises usually belong to one of two kinds. First, they tease new characters or plot developments that will be further explored in future installments. Both Sonic the Hedgehog movies use this kind of tease. In the first movie, we glimpse Tails, who has come to Earth searching for Sonic. The second movie reveals Shadow, who will most likely become an antagonist for the sequel before joining forces with the Sonic Team.

While fans prefer the first kind of post-credits tease, these extra scenes are also commonly used to deliver one last joke or reveal a minor loose thread left behind by a movie or a show. In Knuckles, the post-credit scene belongs to this second type. So, if you miss it, you won’t be avoiding spoilers for Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Still, the scene is sweet enough to reward fans for sticking around, as it shows how much some characters have evolved since the show’s beginning.

All six episodes of Knuckles will drop on Paramount Plus on April 26, 2024.

Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

Knuckles picks up the story right where Sonic the Hedgehog 2 left it, with the red echidna warrior trying to make Earth his home. Before watching the spinoff series, you must remember the movie’s main events, lest you get lost in the details.

It’s normal to need a refresher before watching Knuckles. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 came to theaters two years before the series release, meaning the story has already gotten foggy for some fans. This effect is amplified by Sonic the Hedgehog 2 never hitting the breaks and throwing new lore at the audience faster than the Blue Speedster. So, to get you up to speed before Knuckles comes to Paramount Plus on April 26, 2024, here’s everything you need to remember from the Sonic the Hedgehog movies before watching the spinoff series.

Knuckles and Sonic are powerful aliens

Knuckles (Idris Elba) and Sonic (Ben Schwartz) are superpowered aliens with enhanced strength, speed, and endurance. That already turns them into threats for some people, which explains why the government tracks them down. However, the duo’s most impressive characteristic is how they hold immeasurable amounts of energy in their bodies. A single quill from Knuckles or Sonic can power up weapons of mass destruction, making these aliens the most valuable assets for criminals and evil scientists such as Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey).

Knuckles is the last member of his clan

When Knuckles was a child, the Echidna clan went to war against the Owl clan for control of the Master Emerald. As a result, both species were almost completely wiped out. Knuckles grew alone, learning to fend for himself while crossing the galaxy searching for the jewel, the only thing he thought could restore glory to the Echidnas. The Master Emerald was hidden on Earth, and Sonic had a map of the artifact, which initially pitted Knuckles against the Blue Speedster. Dr. Robotnik took advantage of Knuckles’s loneliness and sense of honor to grab the Master Emerald himself, turning him into the mightiest villain in the universe.

Dr. Robotnik was defeated in Sonic the Hedgehog 2

After they were done fighting, Knuckles and Sonic joined forces in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 to defeat Robotnik. The Master Emerald allows the villain to create anything his mind can think of, which means Sonic and Knuckles must work together to stop the evil scientist. Robotnik blows up with the giant robot he had made out of thin air, definitively ending his reign of terror. Or at least that’s what we thought, as Carrey is reportedly returning as the villain for the threequel.

Knuckles, Sonic, and Tails guard the Master Emerald

The Master Emerald is shattered during the fight against Robotnik. However, Knuckles manages to put the jewel back together with the strength of his heart. With Sonic and Tails (voiced by Colleen O’Shaughnessey), Knuckles becomes a sworn defender of the Master Emerald, promising to stay on Earth to protect the artifact from anyone willing to use it for evil.

The Wachowskis adopted Knuckles, Sonic, and Tails

While Knuckles, Sonic, and Tails are mighty aliens from distant planets, their inability to understand how everyday life works on Earth makes them often act like children. That’s why Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie Wachowski (Tika Sumpter) adopt the trio, promising to care for them and provide them with a loving home. The Wachowskis’ willingness to babysit the alien trio keeps Knuckles, Sonic, and Tails behind bars, as the government of the United States agreed to let the aliens free if they remain in Green Hills with the family.

G.U.N. surveils alien activity on Earth

G.U.N., or Guardian Units of Nations, is a military organization responsible for monitoring alien threats and using advanced technology to protect the planet. Of course, that means Knuckles, Sonic, and Tails are under constant surveillance by G.U.N., who ensures they remain in Green Hills. Since G.U.N. has previously worked with Dr. Robotnik, they have access to miraculous technology.

All six episodes of Knuckles will hit Paramount+ on April 26, 2024. The spinoff series will bridge the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The third movie in the successful Sonic cinematic universe comes to theaters on December 20, 2024.