Sonic Unleashed

As a reviewer, I pray for the day where I can test out a perfect sonic game. Until then though, Unleashed is a decent effort worth the attention of the Hedgehog’s fans.

Despite the game’s clumsy story progression and repetitive werehog combat, it manages to be the best Sonic game released in recent memory. This is thanks mostly to the excellent hedgehog levels that evoke memories of classic Sonic titles while still managing to feel fresh and new.

It is not the most awaited experience for a tri-dimensional Sonic but this chapter will leave the fans pretty satisfied and convinced that the formula for a more organic and complete game is one or two blocks away.

As it stands, Sonic Unleashed is not the drastic reboot they claimed it would be. The problem the game faces once again is focus.

Ignore his Werehog alter-ego and you'll pleasantly discover that Sonic The Hedgehog is almost back on top form.

If Sonic Unleashed is a good game or not has to be decided by you. If you are patient, you can have lots of fun with this title. If you tend to be a bit choleric or just want to relax while playing there is no necessity to buy it.

Even with no expectations going in, we can't imagine many in our ADHD generation holding patience enough to wade through 20-to-30 minute intervals of repetitive room clearing again and again just to find enough Sun tokens to unlock the next decent racing portion. It just isn't enough fun to warrant the effort.

As much as I disliked lumbering through levels as Sonic’s hulky Werehog, I disliked hunting through the hub worlds looking for coins even more. Sega, if you really want to fix Sonic, the first thing you should do is stop trying to fix him. [Jan 2009, p.67]

The least awful Sonic game in years. [Jan 2009, p.74]

Sonic fans can justify it for the sprints. Everywhere else? Beware. [Issue#174, p.78]

In the end, Unleashed features some of the best Sonic action in years – but it also features some of the worst.

The Sonic-team has succeeded in developing an improvement upon the last Sonic-game on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Even then, Sonic Unleashed is a flawed game. The Hedgehog-levels are fast and fun, while the Werehog-levels offer a bit of a change to the classic Sonic-gameplay, although, unfortunately, it often comes down to mindless button bashing. Unleashed shows that Sonic isn’t dead and buried yet, but still leaves a lot to be desired.

You can't help but love the daytime levels, but as soon as night hits the game, you will be desperate to turn off your console.

In this adventure, there is a total of about 60 minutes of quality gameplay. The rest leaves me deeply upset with Sega and the hole they've dug for Sonic.

There are things about Sonic Unleashed that reminded me of how great this franchise could be when done right. It’s just a shame those parts weren’t the true focus of the game.

This is far from the return to form many have expected, and we now see why Sega was so keen to keep its new take on Sonic’s character a secret. Despite some promising moments, Sonic Unleashed collapses under the weight of its flaws.

Sonic Unleashed had promise, and actually part of the game is pretty decent, but its too bad the entire game wasn't completed with the mindset of "Day" Sonic. Sorry Sonic, gamers pass on this one.

Sonic Unleashed has made me bipolar. In the daytime, I'm happy – almost too happy. And at night I become angry and irritable, frustrated and impossible to be around. [Ed: Nice, Hilary. Backwards much?]

The amount of backtracking required in Sonic Unleashed is absolutely inexcusable, and this mandatory medal hunting is the nail in the coffin.

Sonic is back, but unfortunately the developers didn't dare to let him star in a all-running racing game, but insisted on adding a superfluous story and roleplaying elements. Could we get a pure Sonic experience next time, please?

20% of Sonic Unleashed is brilliant. [Jan 2009, p.92]

Structurally it's a mess. [Mar 2009, p.77]