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Product SummaryBrand: Sega Of America, Inc. Release Date: 2008-11-18 Platform: Nintendo Wii Model: 65017 Publisher: Sega Of America, Inc. Product features: - Sonic the Hedgehog returns in this platform for Nintendo Wii with 2D and 3D elements
- Different style of gameplay depending on whether it is day or night
- Nine beautiful levels based on real-life locations
- Sonic changes from a Hedgehog to a Werehog
- Classic elements including loops and corkscrews
Video Game Reviews of Sonic UnleashedCustomer Review: Wherefore art thou, Werehog? Summary: 4 StarsSonic Unleashed is better than the last Sonic game that came out for the next-gen systems in '06. Of course, that's not hard to do. I can't help but think that someone in charge of Sonic Team at SEGA is one heck of a masochist. It's almost like they find pleasure in finding ways to torture us by giving us a taste of what we want, and then pulling it away right when we're beginning to enjoy it.
Case in point: the Werehog. There's nothing inherently wrong with the Werehog mechanic, and it certainly has its fun moments. Button mashing beat-em-ups are fun, but they're also not Sonic. Fans like me sound like broken records when we say that Sonic is all about speed, and the fact is that's not true. Even the very first Sonic game had levels where platforming and puzzle-solving were more important than speed (Marble Zone and Labyrinth Zone). The difference was that in these examples, the platforming was seamlessly mixed with the other stuff. Not here. With Sonic Unleashed, you really feel as if it's two completely different games, neither of which has the depth to keep the momentum going as far as it could, and SHOULD.
The daytime Sonic levels are probably the best 3-D Sonic levels ever created. But they're also only about 30% of the total game, while the Werehog section takes up the other 70%. I hope that if a sequel is ever made for this that they get the proportion more equal, or find a way to make the Werehog sections faster and more interesting.
Sonic Team is getting closer to a good 3-D sonic game. However, after so many missteps, I don't know if closer is good enough. Perhaps it's time to take Sonic the Hedgehog away from this floundering team of programmers and give it a life with someone new. If Sonic Team has so little faith in its trademark that it thinks it always needs a new gimmick beyond simple speed and platforming (the next Sonic game due next year? Sonic and the Black Knight. Why does Sonic need a SWORD?), then they should either stop making Sonic games or give the license to a new team who will do for Sonic what Miyamoto has been able to continually do with Mario.
Description of Sonic UnleashedTransformed and unleashed, Sonic races to save the world...and himself. Sonic the Hedgehog is on an adventure unlike any other. Powered by an all-new engine, Sonic Unleashed blends classic Sonic gameplay with a variety of in-game perspectives to create an entirely new and unique gaming experience. Merging blistering 2D action with meticulously rendered 3D environments, players race through intriguing locations across the globe as Sonic to save a chaotic world.  The other side of Sonic |  Sonic and his alter ego Werehog. View larger. |  Collect rings for Ring Energy. View larger. |  Swing into action with Werehog. View larger. | A New Sonic a New Story On a quest for world domination Sonic nemesis Dr. Eggman has managed to steal the chaos emeralds once again and this time drained them of their power. As a result not only has the Earth split into distinct sections, so has Sonic. Now he is two beings. During the day he is the usual speed-addicted hedgehog players will remember, but at night he becomes Sonic the Werehog. In either form it is the player's ultimate goal to find the missing chaos emeralds and return them to their proper place in order to set the world and Sonic himself, back the way he should be. Gameplay: The Two Sides of Sonic Like nearly all Sonic games, Sonic Unleashed is platform-based. The game combines the feel of 2D side-scrolling that fans of the Sonic series love, with sharp 3D graphics, and throws in an over the back third-person perspective reminiscent of FPS gameplay for good measure. And just as in earlier games, as players race through and explore the expansive world before them, using auto lock to hone in on enemies and areas of interest, they will rely on the power they gain from the rings they collect for a variety of things, but with the new twist of Sonic's split personality, things are a little bit different. Playing during the day, as you race across the world in the form of Sonic, speed is the main goal. Collecting rings fills you with 'Ring Energy,' which not only provides extra life, but also the advantage of 'Sonic Boost.' With this players can travel at speeds that approximate 300 MPH. In addition, Sonic Unleashed introduces two new features: the 'Speed Drift' and the 'Quick Step'. Speed Drifting is similar to drifting in racing games, allowing players to slide around corners at high speeds, while Quick Stepping is a sidestepping maneuver allowing Sonic to avoid enemies with quick steps to either side. Both keep you moving as fast as possible, so you can get as many rings as possible, which again keeps you moving as fast as possible. As night falls and Sonic assumes his Werehog form the rings provide a different kind of power more suited to his more menacing appearance. Much slower, but also much more powerful, the Werehog relies on the rings to provide life as well as strength to shield himself from the attacks of enemies. This is necessary because Werehog gameplay, although based in platforming, incorporates significant levels of combat as well. Red orbs gathered as enemies are defeated allow the player to unlock additional combo moves that will supplement the hack and slash and arm stretching abilities that the Werehog always possesses. Whether Hedgehog or Werehog, no matter which form players prefer they will get ample opportunity to explore the two sides of Sonic since each area in the game contains both night and day segments where each form must be played. Key Game Features: - Sonic's World Transformed - Sonic maintains his high-speed abilities during the day, but at night he is transformed into a mysterious dark form with incredible never-before-seen abilities including 3D-action brawling and amazing agility.
- Tight Navigation and Speed Control - Players accelerate to super speed with 'Sonic Boost' by collecting rings to increase Sonic's 'Ring Energy.' Using 'Quick Step,' players will quickly move left or right to avoid obstacles instantly. Additionally, 'Speed Drift' allows players to rocket through turns without slowing down.
- Powerful New Engine and Cinematic Graphics - With its new modified game engine, Sonic Unleashed enhances the classic 2D perspective with mind-blowing 3D stages. Other technology capabilities include global illumination, grid computing, continuous data streaming and an intricate path finding system.
- Enhanced and Expanded Environments - Many unique and fascinating continents offer the player an opportunity to save the world in a dynamic, high-speed experience. In addition to exploring exciting unlockable areas, players dash through up to nine locations resembling real-life destinations including the Great Wall of China, Arctic Pole glaciers and many more.
Whether it's the updated graphics that retain the side-scrolling feel of classic games in the Sonic franchise, an expansive world to race through and explore or the multiple and new ways to play, Sonic Unleashed offers something for players of any age or level of ability.
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