Sonic Unleashed

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I don't understand why this game has been getting trashed across the review board. Everyone, PLEASE don't take the critic's word for it on this game, I feel that IGN and the rest of them are being unjustly harsh and biased with their reviews of Sonic Unleashed. At the very least give this game a look to see if it's your cup of tea.

I'll start by saying this title is an innovated new approach to the Sonic franchise. As mentioned the day levels have very traditional sort of "Sonic" feel to them, with minor tweaks and adjustments to improve the flow of the game's transition to 3-D platforming. For example, you can now use L1 and R1 to sidestep during times when Sonic is running at top speed. You'll perform timed button pressing combos to advance through the course and keep the flow of the action moving steadily at some points. These gameplay mechanics that have been implemented vastly improve Sonic's movements and abilities, which finally gives Sonic a smooth, intuitive 3-D experience.

As said before, the daytime stages are only half of what Unleashed has to offer. I won't spoil the storyline for those of you who may care, but at night you become the "Werehog" and obtain a surprisingly deep new combat system. The Werehog has furry arms with claws that stretch like Mr. Fantastic for some unexplained reason, and he moves at a crawling pace. The game then turns into a hack 'n slash style game very reminiscent of God of War's gameplay, even weaving together the same kinds of combos you'd expect to pull off with Kratos. Being a huge God of War fan, I for one enjoyed these areas of the game with much enthuse. Many people have complained that Sonic moves far too slow and clunky as the Werehog which in turn takes away from the overall pacing of the game. There are also some platforming elements sort of similar to God of War or even Prince of Persia, where you shimmy across ledges, climb columns, and swing from poles. Several people have already criticized these parts of the Werehog levels as well, saying it was too unforgiving and became frustrating as you die so many times. First off, I think people who complain about games being too challenging are weak and just can't handle the difficulty. Second, you can't just keep repeating the same formula for a Sonic game after dozens of different incarnations. Sega needed to take the franchise in a fresh, new direction, and I truly think they have succeeded with Unleashed.

I do think many critics have an unfair prejudice against Sonic games now because of previous failed attempts to bring the platformer into the 3rd dimension. So please give this game a chance. It brings more of the traditional Sonic but improved. If you like God of War, which is a game that most gamers have enjoyed by now, then you should at least be somewhat thrilled by what Unleashed has to offer with the Werehog. If you don't like God of War, then you should be hung for treason. Hail ZEUS!

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The hedgehog we know and love seems to have a hit in his series again. The Sonic stages now contain the speed we have been waiting for. It seems they took somewhat of the style from Sonic and the Secret Rings, and worked out the glitches so that we now have a responsive and fast-paced sonic gameplay once again. Yet another thing I love about this game is you level up sonic's abilities so that he can have more boost and be faster as himself, and increase all of his other attributes in his werehog form. After you get sonic's speed to max he really blasts through the levels.

Now it surprises me how many people complain about the werehog stages. Sonic's night stages seem to be a lot of fun to me, because it just is a classic smack 'em up brawl. Another thing that is neat is when you level up your combat abilities you learn new moves, so by the end of the game you have many new combos you can fight with that are much more effective.

Apparently people have issues with sun and moon medals as well. I didn't encounter the issue of being short on medals until like sun medal level 7 was needed, and that's because I wasn't really looking for them too much. All you need to do is just keep an eye out for them while you are playing the game.

Basically this is a Sega step in the right direction with Sonic, and an improvement over other Sonic games of late. It also is the fastest I've seen sonic in a game for a while. This is a game any Sonic fan should want to have.

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Sonic Unleashed is a fantastic contribution to the Sonic the Hedgehog series. This is one game that has shown me that Sonic is still alive and well, and that the franchise still has much going for it. After seeing Sonic and the Secret Rings, with its heavy rock soundtrack, its choppy graphics, and poorly planned camera angles, I was afraid that Sonic had fallen to rise no more. Sonic Unleashed proved me wrong. After playing this game, I would have to say it is my third favorite Sonic title, after Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) and Sonic and Knuckles.

This title shows care in its craftsmanship, from the storyline, to the quality cutscenes, to the stunning levels, to the intuitive controls, the charming orchestral music, and the great sound effects. As opposed to some, I actually enjoy the nighttime levels, where Sonic transforms into a werewolf-like creature (a Werehog; this phenomenon is Robotnik's doing). Here, the player is charged with fighting off 'Dark Gaia' monsters using a series of button combinations in fun, non-bloody combat. Many would disagree, but to me it seems an amusing and clever innovation to the series. I would much rather see breaks with tradition of this nature, than see Hedgehogs pick up pistols or hear heavy metal vocals blasting in the background (if you know what I mean). Furthermore, this is not an irreversible change, either, for at the end of the game, Sonic is cured of his curious condition.

Of course, the high-speed daytime levels are the best, and capture most the spirit of Sonic the Hedgehog. Really, they are beyond compare. The speed is exhilarating, with the graphics losing no character at all as the velocity rises. The 'Homing Attack' allows for easy attacks on the Robots, the 'Ring Energy' allows more speed with every ring collected, and the 'Side Step' function allows Sonic to dodge enemies quickly while rushing forward. The Boss Battles are particularily stunning. All the while, gameplay merges seamlessly between 3D and 2D ----once again, an excellent innovation.

Now, as with every game, there are frustrating moments. Some challenges that are presented to the player are rather difficult. In the nighttime levels, one often must walk Sonic across narrow beams, where failure means to plummet to the bottom of a deep chasm. In the daytime levels, it can sometimes be quite difficult to swing from poles in succession, or run at high speeds across water and ice. In some cases, it can be hard to find the next level as one searches for it in the hub worlds. Having to find a certain number of sun or moon medals to advance the story can be tedious. But all in all, Sonic Unleashed proved to be challenging, yet playable at the same time.

In closing here, I will say this: I hope that Sonic Unleashed forebodes what is to come. I believe that SEGA has learned its lessons, and have put them to good use in the new game Sonic and the Black Knight (the far-superior sequel to Sonic and the Secret Rings).

Ryan Robledo

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I grew up with Sonic and have been a fan since the original Sonic on Sega Genesis and Game Gear. Throughout the years after the Sega Genesis games, Sonic has many ups and downs....more downs then up. So our newest attempt is Sonic Unleashed.

Before I purchased this game I looked at every video and review possible because I was hesitant, seeing as how every other 3D Sonic game faired, I was more frightened then intrigued. I was a fan of the Sonic parts in Sonic Adventures 1 & 2, but hated the other characters in those games. After I purchased the game I can tell you that its definitely a better game.

My favorite things about this game that its a solid platform game. When your Sonic, your going through beautifully designed levels at a fast speed, or some with big challenge that look like a grown up version of the original Sonic series. It does feel scripted at times like you can only go front, but its too fun that I can honestly say who cares.

As far as the Werehog goes, when I first played with him I was ready to trade my game in. As the story goes and levels opened up, I actually didn't mind. He has more puzzles and challenges and is actually fun to play. WAYYYYYYY Better then the stupid characters from S.A. 1 & 2. Trust me I rather be Werehog then have to sit through fishing or searching for Emeralds.

The only things I didn't like. The towns and how you have to talk to people made no sense and was dumb, this isn't Final Fantasy so there's no need for it. I for one never read anything they said. Annoying songs and constant baddies with Werehog. Playing with Tails....THATS RIGHT. They kept stripping his character down until we get this, airplane chase repetitive levels??? are you series. Tails flies why does he need a plane?

All in all its a good game, lots of fun and definitely lots of replay value, and there aren't many platforms out there anymore because everything is dumb shooters....*sigh* how the times have changed!

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I picked up this game the beginning of september. I got it because Ive always loved Sonic Games but I was very cautious because everyone is criticising this game. Im here to say "STOP CRITICISING THIS GAME!!!!!!!" Its a great game!!!!! So far, Im not really to into the story but its still very fun to just sit back & watch the amazing cut-scenes. But, gameplay is definitely Awesome!!! Its so fun, during the Day Time Stages you got an extremely fast running hedgehog with fun & amazing graphics for a Sonic Game. & then during the Night Time Stages you get to play as The BADASS Werehog!!! If you enjoy playing God of War & prince of persia which are my favorite games!!!!! Then u can honestly look at the Werehog gameplay as those types of games but instead of being "The god of war" or "The prince of persia" you get to be Sonic The Werehog. Theres puzzles, tons of enemies, big boss battles, great graphics, a solid story, & Very Fun Gameplay!!!!! & Trophies Which are fun/challenging to achieve. What more can u possibly ask for? Especially from a Sonic Game that came out in 2008. I MOST DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS GAME!!!!! OH! By the way, its only like $20!!! really people???? Stop wasting time & get this game!!!!!! Its worth it!!!!!! Alrighty than, Ive said enough. Hope my review helped you out, enjoy the rest of your lifes.