Sonic Unleashed [Wii/PS2]

Sonic Unleashed is one of the most polarizing entries in the series. There are people in the community that despise this game for a lot of reasons that I will get into. But there are also people in this community that adore this game. I'm one of those people. No, it's not because it's the first Sonic game I ever beat. This has nothing to do with nostalgia even if it holds a nostalgic connection to me. I think this game, despite its problems, is a worthwhile experience and a genuinely good game.

Sonic Unleashed was promoted in a very interesting way. It was promoted as a game about Sonic on a globe-trotting adventure. Travelling to different countries and with a new gameplay style. But there was this underlying thing that left people really confused. And it was this monster-looking Sonic that travelled at night.

Sonic Unleashed released on November 18th, 2008 and was met with less than stellar reviews. However, in retrospect, this game is looked back more fondly and I am part of that group. Sonic Unleashed starts with Sonic tearing through Eggman's fleet in a beautiful CGI cutscene. Sonic, already in possession of the Chaos Emeralds, transforms into Super Sonic and corners Eggman. However, it was a trap. Eggman traps Sonic in his machine known as the Chaos Energy Cannon which removes the Chaos Emeralds from Sonic and drains them of their power, making them useless and gray in color. Eggman awakens an ancient monster known as Dark Gaia who spreads his power around the Earth, shattering it in several pieces. The Side-Effects of this transforms Sonic into the Werehog form. A form he takes at night that makes him stronger, but slower. Sonic is ejected onto Earth. Upon landing, he meets a small creature he names Chip who seems to have lost his memory. Sonic and Chip then travel the world to fix the broken planet, restore the power of the Chaos Emeralds and stop Eggman and Dark Gaia.

It's a well-told narrative that is made better with the excellent performances by Mike Pollock as Dr. Eggman and Jason Griffith as Sonic.

The game takes you to different places around the world that are based on real settings. Places such as Apotos which is based on Greece, Spagonia which is based on Italy, and Chun-Nan which is based on China and more.

What Sonic Unleashed absolutely nails is the presentation. This is one of the best looking games to have come out in 2008 and is the best looking Sonic game I've ever seen. The CGI Cutscenes are almost like movies in terms of animation, the levels are filled with great shading, color, and detail. They used an engine they call The Hedgehog Engine and it shows. This game nails it on the music. Each piece of music is based on the region you are in. Instruments are used in accordance to where you are and they are amazing. The Day Time Stages all have these adrenaline-pumping, fast-paced tracks that are so good. But the night-time stages are slow and intense. The main theme is great (especially when you get an E Rank because it becomes broken as a way to make fun of you for failing), And the vocal songs, Endless Possibility and Dear My Friend are great. Only complaint is that the battle music never changes which can be annoying

As for gameplay, well there are two types. The Day Stages where you play as Sonic The Hedgehog, and The Night Levels where you play as Sonic The Werehog. In the Day Levels, they introduced the boost gameplay in this game which has been used since. Essentially, they brought over the boost from Sonic Rush and applied it to 3D. Sonic has never been faster. The challenge is to get to the level as quickly as possible while avoiding obstacles and enemies and finding shortcuts. It is for the most part really well done. Sure there are glitches here and there, but it never felt unfair. This game reminds me of the 2D Sonic games in the sense that it rewards you for memorizing the levels which is really the only way to get a S Rank. The Night Time levels are very different. Instead of getting to the end of the level as quickly as possible, you travel the level while fighting Eggman's Robots and Dark Gaia's minions. It's treated like a God of War clone and the levels are typically longer. This was the big reason why people hated this game. I don't think it's that bad. Sure, it's repetitive, the levels drag out for a long time, and it could be unfair. But I find it fun tearing through the enemies. It's satisfying in my opinion. The only real complaint is that levels are locked behind collecting Sun and Moon Medals and I find the gatekeeping to be pace breaking. And how the framerate suffers greatly, especially at Night-Time Levels. Also, the last level is really hard so be warned. Very satisfying to beat though.

Sonic Unleashed is one of my favorite Sonic games of all time and I think it's about time people start appreciating what this game has that later games don't. Is the game perfect? No... But I love it for what it is