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Sonic Unleashed [Wii]

Sonic is charged with saving the world after Dr. Eggman breaks it up in this fast-paced game featuring the custom-tailored "Hedgehog Engine."

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Interesting premise, but like many other post-Genesis Sonic games, lame. 17%

Dec 28, 2011

by RabidChihuahua
posted in Siliconera Bounce

Rating:

-1

Note that for this review, I played the Xbox 360 port of the game.

First of all, I'd like to say that I've been a fan of Sonic since Christmas of 1991 and have been a fan of the franchise throughout the 90's. Sonic Unleashed, like the other Sonic games that have broken into the "3D" generation of game consoles, is really unpleasant.

The graphics are pretty nice and the whole thing with Sonic becoming a "Werehog" and going around slashing and punching bad guys is pretty fun, but that's all there is to say that's positive about this game.

While it may seem unfair to target this particular Sonic game for this upcoming flaw, I feel it's legit. The biggest problem with this game is the 3D environment. Sorry, but I truly feel that Sonic wasn't meant for a 3D environment since it's extremely difficult to move really fast while collecting as much rings as possible in this type of environment since it's much easier to die and since it's easy to veer off your desired path, it's much harder to collect rings. While most video games in the last 8-10 years have done away with the "limited life" system so ubiquitous in the first three game console generations, it's still in this game and it gets on your nerves because you're gonna die A LOT.

The tallying system at the end of each level really gets on my nerves because in the "classic" Sonic games, the tallying system just tallied your numeric score and if you got a high score, you'd get a continue. However, the tallying system in Sonic Unleashed is atrocious because the game expects you to accomplish much more difficult levels in a timely manner and has the nerve to actually grade you (using letters A through F) at the end. Isn't it good enough that I came out alive? Just give me a numeric score, don't grade me like a strict university professor.

Aside from the 3D layout and harsh tallying system, I was stuck on one level where you're on top of the Tornado (piloted by Tails, of course) and Eggman has launched a giant robot thingy firing guided bombs at you. I DETEST this level because in order to shoot down the incoming bombs, each projectile is targeted with an icon of either the A, B, X, or Y buttons above them and you have to press the right button in a really short time in order to fire the missiles. This is horrendous because you're in such a panic, you're just mashing buttons, hoping that you hit the right ones since you don't have any time to think. Wouldn't it be more convenient if there was just one button to fire missiles or just have a machine gun and point it at the projectiles? At that point, I quit playing and returned the copy to Family Video.

After playing this and the 2006 Sonic the Hedgehog games, it's no surprise to me as to why the newer Sonic games aren't so popular among gamers and critics alike. Sonic Team should really take their cue from Nintendo concerning the New Super Mario Bros. Wii game and make a game that's essentially a "throwback" of the Genesis Sonic games because those are the Sonic games people tend to remember in a positive way. Just get Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection instead.

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woopak_the_thrill December 31, 2011

can't comment much since I haven't played this yet. (I don't think so anyway) nice review as usual. Happy New Year!

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Garyuu December 29, 2011

In it's defense, the whole Werehog idea was certainly a bore, but it's the day missions that were more fun, even though the drifting sucks and the mechanics are a bit unbalanced. It got better in Generations though (a LOT better).

Pretty much all the stuff you nitpicked weren't all that hard or griping for me (lol mad about rankings). The only thing I hated over anything was the final stage.

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Madpenguin December 29, 2011

The Sonic games still have yet to capture their former glory. The only thing I seen close to somewhat promising is Sonic Colors.

RabidChihuahua December 29, 2011

I heard some good things about Sonic Colors, and Sonic Generations has been getting a lot of positive buzz. I might try out the latter down the road.

Kuronoa December 29, 2011

People always forget the Advance and Rush games. Seriously they get good reviews and play like the classics well enough. Even this review fails to mention it.
"Sonic Team should really take their cue from Nintendo concerning the New Super Mario Bros. Wii game"
Seriously? Sonic Advance is way more flattering as a twist to the classic formula than New Super Mario Bros IMO. And I love NSMBW very much!

Don't tell people to play some collection when there's games that does the job better.

RabidChihuahua December 29, 2011

I haven't played the Sonic Advance or Rush games since I don't have any hand-held gaming devices (and that I lost interest in the Sonic games around 2000 or so). I'm strictly talking about console/PC games with this review.

"Don't tell people to play some collection when there's games that does the job better."

I can write whatever I want.

Kuronoa December 30, 2011

"I can write whatever I want."
Your right, sorry just a statement to make my post stronger. Your claim they don't make a game like NSMB when they clearly do just wanted to correct you.
And if you do play handhelds do try the games. I just get annoyed when people say stuff Madpenguin said it is like half the time people ignore the legit good stuff is all.

btw sorry to storm in here, nice job on the review. I only played the Wii version and found it meh, the other Wii Sonic games (Secret Rings, Colors) I found more fun.

Madpenguin December 30, 2011

And what exactly did I say to piss you off? I played the Advance and Rush games, and I don't think they're as good as the originals. But did I say they sucked? Did I say they're garbage? Did I even say I didn't like them? I don't think I did. But anyway, that's my personal take on it and I have every right to make that. Please keep my name out of your mouth. We are not friends.

Kuronoa December 30, 2011

Aww didn't mean to make an enemy. :( Sorry if I was harsh here, talking about Sonic outside Sonic related forums always feel too intimidating to me and I say too much. I'm glad you played them and manage to keep your opinion, when you said "only thing somewhat promising" it is usually something I press in a conversation. The former glory is such an overused thing and it just bugs me when I read it.
With the different types of Sonic fans the outcome for statements like these never stop surprising me.

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About the reviewer

David Kozak (RabidChihuahua)
Ranked #17

I'm a morbid cynic who thinks very, very differently from most other people. Chances are, if the majority says X is the greatest in its category, I'll disagree with that notion, because I tend … more