Sonic Unleashed

by Sega Of America, Inc.

Product Features

• Sonic the Hedgehog returns in this platform for PlayStation 2 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

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0017HM0JY
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches ; 4 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: November 18, 2008
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,035 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Platform: PlayStation2

Amazon.com Product Description

Transformed 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.

Product Description

Take an unforgettable journey around the world in Sonic Unleashed! With seamless 3D to classic 2D perspectives, new speed capabilities, and an all new proprietary engine, as well as new combat, movement, functional abilities and platforming, Sonic is UNLEASHED like never before!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This game is fun and well made., November 30, 2008

By 

Emie (Illinois, United States) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Sonic Unleashed (Video Game)

This is the version no one ever seems to talk about...the lowly PS2 port of Sonic Unleashed.

And, having never played the other versions, I must say I'm pretty impressed. Perhaps my lack of experience with the PS3 and Xbox versions allows me a truly unbiased perspective...allowing me to evaluate the PS2 on it's own merit. And, it has a lot of merit.

The daytime speed levels are really fun. Never before has a sonic game truly captured the feeling of BEING Sonic the hedgehog. Phases melt seamlessly into each other as first person perspective shifts to side view to front view and back. These levels have mastered the concept of "flow" that the original Genesis Sonic games made famous.

What many people don't seem to realize is that the controversial night levels (featuring Sonic the Werehog) are just as reminiscent of the old Genesis games as the daytime levels. NONE of the original 16-bit Sonic games was 100% speed. In fact, a large fraction of the average Sonic zone was PLATFORMING. And, that is precisely what the werehog levels offer. Platforming, puzzles, and some Streets of Rage style beat 'em up action. If games like God of War and Heavenly Sword can receive widespread acclaim, I don't see why the werehog levels should offend anyone...because they're the same thing.

Plus, the werehog levels provide balance for the frenetic pace of the speed levels. Just as the original 16-bit Sonic games were balanced between speed and platforming, Sonic Unleashed is balanced between daytime levels and night levels. This is nothing new people. I don't see why the official game reviews are so bothered by a concept introduced by Sonic the Hedghog 1: "balance".

The levels (both day time and night time) are well designed and engaging. Victory is very satisfying. Werehog levels, while slower than the speed levels, are not really THAT slow (he can run by double tapping a direction). The semi-frequent fights may become repetitive to some, but honestly, the Final Fight fan in me enjoyed them.

And, besides, if you absolutely HATE the werehog levels, you only have to play them once. After encountering a stage, you are free to choose it again from the menu. So, feel free to replay those unlocked daytime stages exclusively. Even alone they're worth the price of admission.

Bottom line: The game is fun. Colorful and energetic, while paced between high speed excitement and methodical exploration.

An impressive PS2 game. And, hopefully (if enough people give the game a try) this will be the first step towards Sonic's long overdue rebirth.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enter the Werehog, November 20, 2008

By 

L. Pellerin - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Sonic Unleashed (Video Game)

This game is awesome and has become one of my most favorite Sonic titles. People have complained about the graphics, but they look fantastic! It's not fair to compare it to the ps3 or 360 because the ps2 can't handle it, so for what it got it's excellent. Besides, it's not graphics that make a game fun. Another complaint people have made is that there are too many werehog levels. I am having lots of fun playing as the werehog, I love platformers. When you play as regular Sonic, the levels are well crafted and loads of fun, and as the Werehog I have fun bashing enemies and exploring. The thing I love the most so far is the story. It's crazy! And Chip is one of the cutest things I've ever seen, I hope they make a plushie for him! Dr. Eggman is back to his evil self, and also has a lot of funny moments. I've seen Tails and Amy so far, but where is my favorite, Knuckles!? He takes forever to show up it seems. Also, I like how it's not about 'finding' the chaos emeralds, but about 'restoring' them. Controls are the thing I was worried about the most (if you have experience with games like Shadow the Hedgehog -_-; ), but they work fine, just like they should. The only thing I've noticed is that there aren't as many bosses as in previous games, but maybe I haven't gotten all that far. Continent levels are also replayed quite a bit, but they vary each time, and the missions can be chanllenging. Highly recommended if you like your action with a bit of humor on the side.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Game, but Werehog stages a little slow, November 30, 2008

By 

Trip Mercy "TLHJr." (Texas) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Sonic Unleashed (Video Game)

This is the newest Sonic game from Sega and in my opinion is the best Sonic game since the hedgehog's Dreamcast days (Sonic Adventure 1 and 2). The daylight levels are great, tons of fun to play, the graphics throughout the game are gorgeous, and the game maintains it's classic cartoon-ish feel including some fun humor throughout. This game has received some unfair reviews from critics, they say the werehog stages are dull, and slow. While they are slow, I do not find them boring at all. They are very combat oriented, similar to hack and slash style games. This is a new concept for Sonic the Hedgehog, and I think it's nice to do something a little different from time to time. Is this the best Sonic game of all? No, but if you have always enjoyed Sonic games, then this one will be no exception.

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