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Sonic Unleashed

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7.5 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 30 critic reviews
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Based on 52 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Sega

Developer: Sonic Team

Genre(s): Action

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)

Release Date: November 18, 2008

Summary

Having been broken apart by the evil Dr. Eggman, it's up to Sonic to put the pieces of the world back together again by retrieving the power of the chaos emeralds! In doing so, Sonic finds himself in a race against time and faced with an unusual situation that challenge hims in ways never before seen. Both day and night play different, yet important, roles in Sonic's newest quest... as the sun sets, a new adventure awakens. By completing a wide variety of action-packed stages, spanning the seven broken continents of the world, gamers unleash Sonic’s amazing abilities to save the world, and himself! In addition to running at high speeds, which is highlighted in four new speed mechanics, combat fighting now becomes possible. New combat, movement, functional abilities and platforming are introduced to offer increased depth and variety. Sonic Unleashed offers a re-defined experience for fans and newcomers of the franchise alike by combing picturesque & detailed scenery, an expansive world with multiple paths to choose from and dynamic viewpoints for an immersive and renewed gaming atmosphere. Along with seamless 3D to classic 2D camera transitions, the game is built on a powerful, new proprietary "Hedgehog Engine," which introduces impressive lighting abilities and new technology tailor made for Sonic’s new speed capabilities. [Sega]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Nintendo Power

If you don't mind some fisticuffs mixed into your high-speed thrills, give Sonic Unleashed a shot. [Holiday 2008, p.80]

Hardcore Gamer Magazine

In the end, the whole of Sonic Unleashed is slightly greater than the sum of its parts. [Dec 2008, p.45]

Games Master UK

Fast and fun. Until the sun goes down and it gets hairy and ham-fisted. [Jan 2008, p.59]

Official Nintendo Magazine UK

Sonic Unleashed is both one of the best Sonic games we've ever played and one of the dullest. If you can put up with the werehog levels you'll love it.

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Gamer 2.0

To be quite frank, Sonic Unleashed is half great game, and half unnecessarily unleashed. The Sonic levels are extremely fun and bring back the memories of yesteryear, and the night-time levels will leave players wondering why Sonic Team continues to torture their fans by continuing to add pointless things to prolong good gameplay.

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GameZone

This game is really fun to play, especially in the racing sections. Sonic is breathtakingly fast! The platforming levels are a drastic switch from the racing, and force players to slow down.

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NZGamer

This has been an exercise in balance that has proved to be worth our while. While this game might not be up to much if you’re the owner of one of the hulking beasts that are Microsoft and Sony’s consoles, if you’re a Wii owner, don’t be put off by what you’ve read.

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IGN

Sonic Unleashed is half great game and half tedious gimmick.

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GameDaily

A sequel with more speed and less gimmicks would make us happy, but for now, Unleashed is a step above the awful games that came before it. Good to have you back, Sonic.

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Meristation

Sonic comes back too Wii with a extremely fast game that feels more arcade than adventure, with an eye on the past of the series that makes it recover some of its lost feeling. The dazzling velocity can be well managed thanks to excellent controls, but we miss more pure velocity stages and a bit of more variety overall.

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GameSpy

The real problem is the werehog stages. Luckily, those levels aren't bad, they're just kinda there. About all they succeed in doing is slowing down the action between the stages that you want to play.

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GameTrailers

Sonic Unleashed takes two steps forward with some of the best speed levels in recent memory, and one step back by tacking on yet another failed experiment with the Werehog.

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Kombo

Sonic Unleashed has some stellar moments that remind me of better Sonic games from days gone by, but players will have to slog through the repetitive night stages to reach them.

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Cheat Code Central

The faster Sonic levels are a real treat, and Sonic Unleashed has many high points to balance out the lows. The real bummer is not so much the concept of the werehog sections as it is how these portions of the game painfully drag the rest of the game down.

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GameSpot

Even if you have to endure a few too many boring werehog fights, it's still worth playing through this adventure just to see Sonic sprint again.

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N-Europe

Astounding day levels gives exactly what fans want.

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Zentendo

Sonic Unleashed is certainly a step forward for the Sonic franchise, with great graphics, intuitive controls, a fairly grabbing premise and great level design. Unfortunately, it’s marred by the concept of the Werehog. Sonic simply need to continue this trend of returning to it’s grass roots and before long we’ll be getting 9 and 10/10 Sonic games again.

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Wii Brasil

Sonic Unleashed is incomplete for a game that would be "Sonic's return to the great shape". Of course, even with failures, it can be enjoyed by the most patient people, and by the ones who don't care about the Werehog. But they should have changed the game's name from "Sonic Unleashed" to "Sonic Unfinished".

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Game Informer

The Wii version has less annoying traits than the others and still retains all the usual mediocrity. The motion-control elements in the Werehog levels add an extra dimension to the action, and the hub worlds are entirely text-based and aren’t nearly as annoying. If you can stand the diminished graphics, the Wii version actually edges out the PS3 and 360 entries.

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VideoGamer

The werehog levels reek of an idea born out of trying to turn Sonic into something that kids like, instead of just giving them the Sonic many of us grew up with. We didn't need gimmicks back then and we don't think kids need them now either. Ultimately we can't help but feel disappointed... yet again.

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Nintendojo

The best praise that can be given to Sonic Unleashed is to call it a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, the game is heavily weighted towards its werewolf stages.

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Eurogamer

Stripped of unnecessary narrative nonsense and forced to use new camera views and level designs, it's simply a more satisfying rendition of the same thing, more faithful to the original series and undoubtedly the version that Sonic fans should pick up.

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Cubed3

Sonic Unleashed proves that Sonic Team are back on track with Sonic in some respects, but there's still a way to go before they get it right - trimming the unnecessary night-style stages away, or evening the mix of gameplay, would be a great start.

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Gamers.at

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.

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NGamer UK

Mostly horrible, with a side order of decent enough. [Feb 2009, p.58]

Armchair Empire

If a 16-bit-esque Sonic game appeared on Xbox Live Arcade or PSN, I’d likely be all over it because the glimpses we get of a the Sonic of yore in Sonic Unleashed are very fun. It’s not enough to redeem the entire game though.

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Thunderbolt

Why, Sega? Why did you do this? Why did you botch what was potentially the most amazing Sonic game of this generation? All that can be done is to hope the next attempt succeeds where this failed so horribly.

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GameShark

Even if you can get over the sheer stupidity of making Sonic a big, brawny “Werehog”, and even if the janky, overly finicky platforming doesn’t put you off, answer me this: who the hell wants to brawl in a Sonic game?

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NintendoWorldReport

A game full of duality. The Hedgehog levels are a lot of fun, and the controls accentuate that. On the flip-side, the Werehog levels are riddled with frustratingly boring combat and gameplay. It never helps that the game can't let go of its ridiculously dumb story.

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1UP

Sega fails to make a good platformer -- pretty much everything Sonic Unleashed does has been done better in tons of other games.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.5 (out of 10) based on 52 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Blood S. 1 gave it a9:
The daytime stages in Sonic Unleashed are actually the new part to the game - the Werehog stages are just the original Sonic games plus lots of fighting minus enemies throughout each level and incredibly badly placed spikes and enemies. The only problem I have with the game is the fact that the werehog stages are twice as long as the daytime stages. Otherwise, the game is better than any other Sonic game I've played - including the classics.

Ben G gave it a10:
Best Wii game and one of the best Sonic games to date. Better than I expected. Play it and see. To Tom C "The worst part about this game is the fact that the sonic sections are by far the greatest 3d sonic ever." How does that make sense? Yes Sonic Unleashed is one of the best and most important gaming experiences we've ever played, but the fact the game also includes werehog somehow undoes that? Where are people's values? If someone is to deducts points for the werehog it should be minimal, that is if you insist on deducting points at all, because if you do, it is misleading, and it implies we should be avoiding great gameplay just because the total package isn't consistent.

Marvin M gave it a9:
Honestly, at first I was hesitant about purchasing this game due to its low ratings. But after playing through it for a couple of hours, I have to say, I certainly don't regret purchasing Sonic Unleashed. The night levels aren't as bad as you'd think; I think it's quite entertaining to bash those creatures around. Also, the game's got some great replay value because you can unlock many missions, some even entirely new stages. The graphics and music were also great, even for a console like the Wii. So if you're a Sonic fan, go ahead and buy it. If not, consider renting it and taking it for a spin (no pun intended).

John Smith gave it a7:
It wasn't that bad. You got basic sonic platforming. just with a slight twist. Sonic has certiantly gotten faster, but his Werewolf/hog form is much slower. some simple platforming can be an issue, but it's still the clssic sonic underneath.

Tom C gave it a5:
The worst part about this game is the fact that the sonic sections are by far the greatest 3d sonic ever. This is just another kick to the balls when compared to the horrible werhog sections. They are montonous that I didnt even bother completing this game. Sega let there fans down once again.

Joey R gave it an8:
OK, here goes. The daylight levels are very much like the original Sonic gameplay. In fact, Sega brought back for those levels everything that gamers have been whining about not being there since Sonic Adventure. Yet, when given exactly what they asked for, they still complain. The Werehog levels are fun, although the Wii version didn't need 3x the number of Werehog levels. Still, its a fun game and I don't get why people don't like it. The only thing that matters is: Do you think it's fun? Don't examine everything critically, that only ruins the experience. Play the game just to play the game. Ignore what the reviewers have said and make your own unbiased opinion. Have fun. Stop whining. Play the game before you create an opinion of it. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

J S gave it a5:
Sorry, I have to disagree with most reviewers on this one. I am a huge fan of the original Genesis Sonics, as well as the DS ones, but this is still nothing like them, even in the daylight episodes. The problem with the daylight episodes is it feels like you're playing a racing games with no opponents. The enemies are similar. The best part of the daytime levels is when the camera switches to the side, and you get a 3d/2d style view. If the game were designed mostly using this camera angle instead, and with more interesting levels (like the 2d Sonic levels), it would be what most fans want. I think the reviewers would have been more critical of the daylight levels had it not been for the horrible night, werehog, levels. The daytime levels are great in comparison. Anyway, in short, the daytime levels get boring quickly (except when the camera angle switches to a more 2d side view), the night time levels suck, and you can't cut through the terrible cut-scenes, which pop up constantly. I do not recommend buying this game. Rent it, play it for a few hours, then go back to the better Sonics on the DS.

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Sonic Unleashed

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