Sonic Unleashed

by Sega

Product Features

• Sonic the Hedgehog returns in this platform for PlayStation 3 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: B0017HPE6K
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches ; 3.2 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: December 9, 2008
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,047 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #93 in Video Games > PlayStation 3 > Action
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Platform: PLAYSTATION 3

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 proprietary“Hedgehog Engine,” Sonic Unleashed enhances the classic 2D perspective with mind-blowing 3D stages. Other next-gen 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

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unleash The Beast, December 14, 2008

By 

Daniel Brown "UnReAL" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Sonic Unleashed (Video Game)

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!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Honest Review From Longtime Fan, June 29, 2009

By 

Jose Molina "Superior Combatant" (Pa, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Sonic Unleashed (Video Game)

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!

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sonic's back, December 12, 2008

By 

Whiplash4878 (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Sonic Unleashed (Video Game)

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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