Sonic Unleashed

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 809 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 649 out of 809
  2. Mixed: 106 out of 809
  3. Negative: 54 out of 809
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  1. smahlt
    Jul 8, 2017
    6
    Werehog is bad and drags the score down to 6.

    Now that that's out of the way, the daytime stages are fantastic and the pinnacle of 3D Sonic gameplay. They are worth suffering through the werehog segments to play. I prefer the way this game plays to Sonic Generations. Sonic feels more loose and harder to control, which actually works with the high speed he goes at. Getting good enough at    Werehog is bad and drags the score down to 6.

    Now that that's out of the way, the daytime stages are fantastic and the pinnacle of 3D Sonic gameplay. They are worth suffering through the werehog segments to play. I prefer the way this game plays to Sonic Generations. Sonic feels more loose and harder to control, which actually works with the high speed he goes at. Getting good enough at the game to be able to go full speed through the levels is extremely satisfying. The graphics are amazing and the music is fantastic.    … Expand
  2. mrtoddbob
    May 26, 2014
    3
    There is awesome cut scenes in this game...... that is it. There is monotonous boring gameplay and a story no one cares about. After about 1 hour i couldn't play it anymore. Don't play it even if you love sonic. And about the werewolf..... it could have worked if killing bad guys didn't happen so often and platforming wasn't so dumb and simple. On a plus side though. Sonic sections areThere is awesome cut scenes in this game...... that is it. There is monotonous boring gameplay and a story no one cares about. After about 1 hour i couldn't play it anymore. Don't play it even if you love sonic. And about the werewolf..... it could have worked if killing bad guys didn't happen so often and platforming wasn't so dumb and simple. On a plus side though. Sonic sections are pretty solid but lack variety which ruins sonic gameplay. As a final product, it doesn't meet standards.… Expand
  3. Swagga
    Jan 26, 2015
    1
    This is a truly terrible game. Yes, it's THAT bad. Look, the Daytime stages are a frustrating mess. The Nighttime stages are complete disaster. As for the hubs and tornado minigames, oh wow, Sega just took horrible to a whole new level. Avoid at all costs.
  4. ch6789
    May 21, 2015
    1
    why play this game wen you can play generations or colors its the same game play with out the crappy werehog? this game is not good or bad but 12 year olds say this game is the best sonic game ever they are not critics they are just 12 year olds that eat what ever Sega **** out. for me as a sonic fan sonic unleashed is like attack of the clones for star wars fans its no phantom menace butwhy play this game wen you can play generations or colors its the same game play with out the crappy werehog? this game is not good or bad but 12 year olds say this game is the best sonic game ever they are not critics they are just 12 year olds that eat what ever Sega **** out. for me as a sonic fan sonic unleashed is like attack of the clones for star wars fans its no phantom menace but still pretty bad.… Expand
  5. Rangaman
    Aug 21, 2017
    2
    If you're down to your last dollar, you'll be pleased to know you can recreate the Sonic Unleashed experience by drinking a load of cheap wine before handstanding for six hours while reruns of the Ice Age movies and a **** jazz band play in the background.
  6. campoutor
    May 14, 2016
    5
    first of all sonic games should not have a deep story and only the sonic stages are decent the stages that sonic becomes a monster are at the very least bad they feel like a rip off of other good beat em up games
  7. Terracraft
    Jun 27, 2018
    6
    Its Great In The Day Time Platforming But Bad In The Werehog Stages Because God Of War Is Bad
  8. taiga4
    Dec 14, 2018
    9
    Sonic Unleashed is an average Sonic game, with strange things like Dark Gaia, Sonic the Werehog, but averall it's a good game, no regrets.
  9. DarkerSonic06
    Jul 13, 2018
    3
    This boost Gameplay... I mean Im running with 9999999999999mph trough the town and i can only use the Triggers to slide left and right. I cant call this game,for me its more like a techdemo. Without the werehog the Game would be the boringst sonic game
  10. azuuu
    Jul 11, 2023
    3
    jogar algo da minha infância foi um erro.
    os estágios do Sonic Lobo são longos, chatos, repetitivos.
    eu não aguento mais a mesma música de combate toda hora.
  11. ZXSth
    Feb 25, 2023
    5
    I found Sonic Unleashed a challenge to enjoy. Neither the daytime "Boost" levels nor the nighttime "Werehog" sections were particularly fun, and gating levels behind the collection of Sun and Moon medals felt like an arbitrary and frustrating decision that actively made me not want to play the game. While quite pretty and possessing solid sound design, very little about Sonic's transitionI found Sonic Unleashed a challenge to enjoy. Neither the daytime "Boost" levels nor the nighttime "Werehog" sections were particularly fun, and gating levels behind the collection of Sun and Moon medals felt like an arbitrary and frustrating decision that actively made me not want to play the game. While quite pretty and possessing solid sound design, very little about Sonic's transition to this style of movement excited me, and I left this game unfinished due to my personal gripes with it. A disappointing experience overall that I truly wish I had found more enjoyable than I did.… Expand
  12. Ben3033
    Oct 22, 2022
    5
    Pros of the game:

    - Speed stages are solid and fun to replay - Story is decent, at least compared to the recent Sonic games - Good artstyle; graphics are pretty overhyped though, most of the textures are low quality/blurry and the game is very unoptimized, but animations and such are great, especially in the CGI cutscenes Cons: - Werehog. Look, I get some people may like this,    Pros of the game:

    - Speed stages are solid and fun to replay
    - Story is decent, at least compared to the recent Sonic games
    - Good artstyle; graphics are pretty overhyped though, most of the textures are low quality/blurry and the game is very unoptimized, but animations and such are great, especially in the CGI cutscenes

    Cons:

    - Werehog. Look, I get some people may like this, but this is a Sonic game. For me, it's extremely tedious and boring. Levels can take up to half an hour if you don't have all the upgrades, and the combat comes down to mindless button mashing and QTE events. Not to mention other issues, such as the lack of a dropshadow and the battle music that plays CONSTANTLY. It's just a shame as it makes the game such a chore if you just want to play the daytime stages.

    - Medal collecting. I swear to god, the medal hunting in this game is DEVASTATING. It gets to the point where you have to spend hours looking for them, wasting your god damn time roaming hub worlds and replaying stages just so you can either spend half an hour doing a werehog level, or a couple mins in a daytime stage. Please, if this game is remastered/remade, MAKE MEDALS OPTIONAL. It makes the game take so much longer than it should, and it only serves as a way to pad out gameplay.

    - Daytime stages are far from perfect. Yes, they're fun to replay and all, but with a game like this, the stages NEED to be almost perfect because of all these other issues, like the Werehog. Controls are slippery, the homing attack being mapped to the airboost is frustrating, the drift is bad(fixed in generations), and large sections of stages play themselves or are on rails(literally and figuratively). These stages definitely have great moments but they just aren't worth all the trouble. Personally, if Unleashed is ported to PC, I'd probably just get a 100% save file and play the daytime stages.

    Take the werehog, medal collecting, and boring hub worlds out of the equation, and you'd get yourself a solid 7 or even 8/10 game if you're feeling generous. But with all these issues, I'm forced to give the game a 5.    … Expand
  13. spencerplewe
    Sep 14, 2022
    7
    Wiping nearly all the mistakes of Sonic '06 off its sneakers and packing plenty of positive changes of its own, Sonic Unleashed brought the franchise back to a sense of challenging, fun, but there is the commonly frustrating caveat of its uneven pacing, a certain required Sun Medal collect-a-thon towards the end, and underwhelming new characters.
  14. mikufan84
    Oct 21, 2022
    7
    If you want to play it and enjoy it, EARN IT. That's what this game tells you and you have to work around it. This game is pretty demanding at times. The daytime stages at first are a fun casual breeze, but the werehog is tedious at times and slowed down by a lot of PRECISE platforming. If that isn't your thing, then I do not blame you. For me, the speed stages made it worth it because youIf you want to play it and enjoy it, EARN IT. That's what this game tells you and you have to work around it. This game is pretty demanding at times. The daytime stages at first are a fun casual breeze, but the werehog is tedious at times and slowed down by a lot of PRECISE platforming. If that isn't your thing, then I do not blame you. For me, the speed stages made it worth it because you had to execute it in a certain fashion. That became the reward because it's so fun to enjoy. But there are signs this game was rushed. The final boss is very segmented and odd, and not to mention the physics Sonic has aren't refined, he feels slippery and is often just controllable barely from the drift. Other than, when you're good at it, it's a lot more fun. It just demands a lot from you and assumes you know how to play it well. It's a very rewarding game for the more experienced players, but I can't imagine it being fun for a casual player sadly. I think it could have benefitted from a difficulty mode.… Expand
  15. ilovegaming999
    Apr 28, 2021
    8
    i HATE THIS STUPID GAME!!!! in gamestop one day i went into the store i was gonna get this game and the employee said"noooooooo!!!! dont get it" and he was right i was a fool.... i playe dthe game and my stomach became upset, i went to the bathroom and I SHAT UNCONTROLLABLY I COULDNT DO ANYTHING!!! THE DEVIL HAD MADE MY POOR BUTT A TEA KETTLE SPLATTERING OUT FECES ALL OVER MY TOILET DUE TOi HATE THIS STUPID GAME!!!! in gamestop one day i went into the store i was gonna get this game and the employee said"noooooooo!!!! dont get it" and he was right i was a fool.... i playe dthe game and my stomach became upset, i went to the bathroom and I SHAT UNCONTROLLABLY I COULDNT DO ANYTHING!!! THE DEVIL HAD MADE MY POOR BUTT A TEA KETTLE SPLATTERING OUT FECES ALL OVER MY TOILET DUE TO SONIC.... after that my parents were so sad about me they gave me a WEKK off of school wich was good actually... also i got to buy lots of stuff but NOT THIS. dont buy!! but buy it if you want a week offf of school and cool music… Expand
  16. Xavik09
    Dec 10, 2021
    0
    Una carta de amor al gaming, sonic unleashed es una obra maestra de su tiempo con un gran soundtrack historia gameplay plataformeo direccion artistica, hermosa en todo sentido, muy feliz del parche de los 60 fps en xbox. No puedo describir la sensacion de derrotar a dark gaia en su fase perfecta ni de escuchar endless possibilities. Obra maestra sin duda te amo sonic Porfavor sonic teamUna carta de amor al gaming, sonic unleashed es una obra maestra de su tiempo con un gran soundtrack historia gameplay plataformeo direccion artistica, hermosa en todo sentido, muy feliz del parche de los 60 fps en xbox. No puedo describir la sensacion de derrotar a dark gaia en su fase perfecta ni de escuchar endless possibilities. Obra maestra sin duda te amo sonic Porfavor sonic team que sonic rangers sea igual de bueno que este juego porfavor… Expand
  17. VegeST
    Jan 8, 2022
    7
    Kinda cool Sonic game, which is pretty rare for such suffering franchise. Werehog gameplay is... interesting, seriously. Modern Sonic + Boost gameplay in Unleashed is the best concidering another boost 3D Sonic games. Eggman land for will be the bst final level from the whole series. Worth to play it even in nowadays.
  18. KezKaz
    Nov 9, 2022
    0
    Game is alright to say the least, if you are playing on Xbox One/360 you will get frame drops, on newer consoles you don’t, story is great. Would recommend
  19. SonicUndergroun
    Nov 20, 2022
    5
    the werehog is sexually attractive but everything else about this game is a hot steamy pile of dinosaur ejaculate
  20. NairMcgee
    Mar 11, 2023
    0
    The most overrated game of all time. This game is nowhere near the masterpiece that all the Unleashed fanboys want you to believe it is. I would give it a 7/10 but this game is way too overrated so I'm giving it a 0
  21. diealegend
    Apr 6, 2023
    0
    Worst mechanics and game style I’ve seen from a sonic game yet.. sonic forces was better than this horrible game. The only thing this game had that was interesting was a story. But besides that I hated playing this game too difficult and werid to play for players.
  22. Darxeus
    Jul 16, 2023
    0
    This is my personal favorite Sonic Game, the story is just phonomenal, I understand why people don't like the Werehog, but it's not bad because you're at least having fun with the Werehog, but the daytime Sonic stages are fun as hell
  23. haterofallgames
    Aug 23, 2023
    0
    it's a sonic game, don't buy. don't let the bigger furry fool you. this **** is unacceptable.
  24. AaronMayorga
    Nov 30, 2008
    10
    The Daytime are very fast and awesome especially on the new Hedgehog Engine by Sega.The Nighttime stages are a very important asset to the game. They may have a slower tempo but the stages are very large and interesting.The music once again beautiful especially the final boss theme. It is a very great game at heart and you should by it.
  25. MikeG
    Dec 3, 2008
    9
    Great game with some frustration in the mix. A lot of reviews are bashing the werehog like it's unplayable, while it is different and sometimes frustrating (instadeaths ruining your rank) it's not terrible. The daytime levels are the best gameplay Sonic has had since his 2D era keeping both speed and platforming in mind. I'm not sure why reviews are giving the game aGreat game with some frustration in the mix. A lot of reviews are bashing the werehog like it's unplayable, while it is different and sometimes frustrating (instadeaths ruining your rank) it's not terrible. The daytime levels are the best gameplay Sonic has had since his 2D era keeping both speed and platforming in mind. I'm not sure why reviews are giving the game a mediocre score when the game is very good, the werehog breaks up the pace a bit but that's not always bad.… Expand
  26. LaurenAnderson
    May 1, 2009
    8
    A solid platformer that displays a master of the classic Sonic gameplay as well as the best gameplay alternative the 3D games have ever seen. The game is the most technically advanced and clean of the 3D Sonic games, but still suffers from a lack of polish later in the game in the form of slowdown, pop-up, and general bugs.
  27. JosephC.
    Jul 27, 2009
    7
    Late 2008, Sega released a game called Sonic Unleashed and I expected a lot of great things from the reviews. However, the results were anything but: X-play, Zero Punctuation, IGN, Gamespot, you name it; no one had any good things to say about it. Now X-play gave it a 2/5 which, according to their
  28. Hbran456
    Dec 30, 2008
    9
    Sonic Unleashed is SEGA's latest attempt at making a fun and interesting Sonic game, and the good thing is...they have succeeded. The game is split into two main parts, night and day, which most people already know. The day sections feature our favorite super sonic hedgehog, in one of his most enjoyable outings yet. The countdown starts at the beginning of the stage, Sonic yells Sonic Unleashed is SEGA's latest attempt at making a fun and interesting Sonic game, and the good thing is...they have succeeded. The game is split into two main parts, night and day, which most people already know. The day sections feature our favorite super sonic hedgehog, in one of his most enjoyable outings yet. The countdown starts at the beginning of the stage, Sonic yells "GO!" and you are sent screaming through the level. The controls are flawless, the framerate rarely dips, and for the first time in years the camera is amazing. The drift mechanic and the speed boost are welcomed additions. Drift lets you skid around corners at high speeds and speed boost (my personal favorite) makes you go crazy fast and is terrific fun. The second these stages started I got a huge smile on my face and I began to remember what a good Sonic game was all about. When the night stages started, however, my smile slowly faded. In night stages you play as a slow werehog, which isnt nearly as fun as Sonic, but...it's not that bad. Compared to the day stages, yes, they are slow, clunky, and sort of repetitive. But after a while, you get used to it and it is quite fun. Overall, Sonic Unleashed is a a must-buy for any Sonic fan, and I reccomend it to anyone who wants to play a fun and exhilarating game. Lets face it, there is just something amazing about running really, really freaking fast.… Expand
  29. MarcusL.
    Jan 23, 2009
    10
    Sonic Unleashed is an awesome game. No, that's not going to be the ENTIRE review. But let me explain why. Firstly, the day stages. Every review I've seen praises these stages greatly, since they are reminicent of the good old 90's Sonic games. Addtionaly, Griffith's voice has improved. Massively. As does Amy Palant's Tails voice. Now, he sounds like a boy. Sonic Unleashed is an awesome game. No, that's not going to be the ENTIRE review. But let me explain why. Firstly, the day stages. Every review I've seen praises these stages greatly, since they are reminicent of the good old 90's Sonic games. Addtionaly, Griffith's voice has improved. Massively. As does Amy Palant's Tails voice. Now, he sounds like a boy. FINALLY. Now, the night stages, the biggest downside. According to most. The night stages are great. Yes, they are repetitve and yes, can be annoying. But there is a ton of ways you can complete the stage. Trying out new combos, finding stuff, and all that jazz. Also, Chip. Another downer. But, actually, on the 360 version, you rarely hear him. Not that it's a good thing. Chip is a great addition. All in all, Sonic Unleashed shows one thing. Sonic is back and better than ever, after a 7 year 'break'. Fingers crossed for Black Knight, eh?… Expand
  30. Cole
    Feb 19, 2009
    8
    You know, this game really took way too much flak. I'll admit, when saw the first trailer of werehog gameplay, I thought it was by far the dumbest Sonic gimmick SEGA had come up with yet. But I checked the game out, and I was actually pleasantly surprised. I daresay the daytime stages of this game are Sonic at his absolute best, and even the werehog stages are decently fun. It's You know, this game really took way too much flak. I'll admit, when saw the first trailer of werehog gameplay, I thought it was by far the dumbest Sonic gimmick SEGA had come up with yet. But I checked the game out, and I was actually pleasantly surprised. I daresay the daytime stages of this game are Sonic at his absolute best, and even the werehog stages are decently fun. It's by no means perfect, but given Sonic's recent fiascos, this is definitely a return to his roots and a huge step in the right direction.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2008
5
#5 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 50 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 33 out of 50
  3. Negative: 10 out of 50
  1. Game Informer
    60
    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.
    Read full review
  2. 1UP
    50
    Ultimately, this simply isn't the fresh start Sonic fans were so desperately hoping for...but at least it's not as execrable as the last two efforts.
    Read full review
  3. Hardcore Gamer
    90
    Sonic Unleashed is a glorious return to true console form for Sonic.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »