I found this interesting post about the progress of Shadow the Hedgehog on game faqs. It's based off the notes someone at the Nintendo forums wrote. IMO, this is a very good sign regarding the game's probable quality once it hits shelfs on 11/1/05.
"I guess this will also be a good time to post someone a the Nintendo forums experience with this game at the Seattle Toy place:
(*QUOTE*)"The game played smoothly, but the frame rate skips a few times (I'm sure Sega will fix this in time for the release, along with many of the other bugs I found in the demo), but other then that everything played at a very smooth frame rate. The graphics where great, Sega spent lots of time on the new graphics engine. Shadow has a wide range of moves, X is now used to charge a spin dash or launch a sliding kick attack (Which can only be used while running), while B is used to attack with weapons or Shadow's new punches and kicks. Shadow can jump onto walls, and then run along them for a short time or jump off of them (Sometimes onto another wall), sadly you can't move up and down on the wall and Shadow will fall off the wall in a short amount of time. It's still a nice move while going up against the huge bosses. The game runs MUCH faster then any 3D Sonic game released yet, and even most 2D ones, Shadow's extremely fast running speed will shock you. Plus if you do enough good things, you can use Chaos Control, which allows you to zoom through the level faster then F-Zero GX speed (You don't have much control over it, as it goes by very fast). Even though the game is fast, it has a greater amount of combat then other games starring hedgehogs, and as most people know, you can pick up enemy's weapons after they are defeated. Luckily, this doesn't slow the game down a bit. You will end up dropping guns many times, because many enemies have shields that gun blasts won't get through, plus most of the guns have a very small amount of ammo. Gun's aren't the only weapons used though, you will be able to pick up dark, and simply huge purple alien swords.. These are simply a joy to use. Sega claims you can brake poles and use those as weapons, but this feature wasn't in the demo. As I mentioned earlier, if you do enough good things you will get to use Chaos Control, which will let you zip through the level at amazing speeds (Great way to get out of a battle), and if you do enough evil things you will get to use Chaos Blast, which will destructive blast that will destroy anything in it's path. These may sound like the team blast from Sonic Heroes, but it actually a surprising amount of depth to the game. Holding R will let you strafe, back flip, and do many other combat based moves.
The great thing about the game is something that reminds me of The Sims: the game reflects the player. The game is as violent or as none violent as you are, it's as fast or combat based as you are. As you probably know, the game lets you choose to be a good or evil, and you can change your side anytime you like. In the game there is a huge war: aliens have invaded earth, but
Dr. Eggman has invaded the aliens, but why would Eggman waste his time with a more powerful planet? That's part of the mystery, but I'm not sure if it will be solved in this game. Luckily, the game will solve the mystery of Shadow's past. Shadow is looking for the Chaos Emeralds, which have the power to return memories, how he will do this and who's side he is on is up to you. Shadow the Hedgehog will be released this winter and will be rated T for Teen. (All controls mentioned here are for the Nintendo Gamecube version)" (*end QUOTE*)"