Sonic Unleashed review (X360)

I think it’s a pretty fair thing to say that ever since SEGA stopped making consoles, Sonic just hasn’t been the same. Unlike his old chum Mario, he just hasn’t managed to make the step up into the 3D gaming world. So to try and buck the trend of failing Sonic games, the developers over at Sonic Team have changed tact, and introduced a whole new way of playing Sonic.

You may well have seen the adverts on the telly for Sonic Unleashed. It has been heavily marketed by SEGA. And you may have also noticed a “dark Sonic” is in those adverts. I have to say when I first saw the adverts, I thought that Sonic had in fact turned evil. This actually isn’t the case.

Changes in the night

No. In actual fact, this dark Sonic is Sonic the Werehog, a character that comes out at night due to some side effects of Dr. Eggman's latest take over the world attempt. But it’s not only the character that changes at night, the whole game changes. And for the Sonic fans like myself that remember the great games on the Mega Drive, this isn’t good.

The game is split into 2, with the normal day mode that is basically your traditional Sonic platform mode. Then there is the night or dark mode, a button bashing platform that feels more like Dynasty Warriors then Sonic the Hedgehog.

The first few times you play in night mode it isn’t actually too bad, and it makes a pleasant change. It’s also quite clear to see that the developers are trying to tap into a new market of gamers. However it quickly becomes boring and repetitive and it’s not long before you’re crying out for the fast paced Sonic to return.

New game, same issues

The main issue with this mode and in fact with the whole game is the camera angle. But it is night mode that is affected the most, mainly because of the jumps you often have to perform. There have been quite a few times where the camera angle had misled me and I either over shot the jump or didn’t get anywhere near it. This of course usually means instant death, and a big dose of frustration and annoyance.

As well as being a massively frustrating and at times an annoying mode, it is extremely repetitive. The levels may all look different with different bosses, but on the whole they are all the same. You’ll quickly find the best combo moves to get the kills quick and easily – which is basically bash the buttons a la Track and Field. It’s really not that difficult.

However there are times when the influx of goons you have to defeat is quite large and you need a helping hand. Killing enemies will fill the unleash bar which basically gives you more power and makes it easier to finish them off. But there is also a sonic shield which can be picked up and used when required. The only problem is it doesn’t really seem to work. Even constantly walking around with it on, enemies still seem to manage to get through it and hit your life meter.

Some light in the dark

However, there does appear to be some future for Sonic still, because it does finally appear that the developer has got the main aspect of the game right, and it has stopped the game from getting a really bad score.

The mode still does suffer from bad camera issues when in third person view, but the result in missing the jump often means going back a few steps rather than losing a life. It is however still really frustrating, especially if you are doing the bonus levels that require you complete the stage in a set time. Any of you that love to get the achievements need to complete the levels such as this.

Running in fast circles

But apart from the odd issue with the camera, things do seem to be improving. The sense of speed is great, which does make it near impossible to get all of the rings in the level while travelling at the high speeds. The simple reason is the controls are still really twitchy. It won’t cause any major problems, but it will mean even at slow speeds, you’ll at times find yourself running in circles around a ring trying to get to it.

There are 2 views when it comes to the day time mode, and it’s the second view from the side where Sonic Unleashed is in its element. This view really does show how quick the game is, and running off the hard drive makes it run really smooth. It’s all about reactions and timing, just like the Sonics of yesteryear used to be. None of this button bashing nonsense.

Take a step back to move forwards?

I know the future is third person and in 3D, but Sonic Unleashed has shown that it doesn’t work with everything. Sonic Team had a potentially great game here, if they had removed the different modes and gone more traditional with the sideways view. The levels are beautifully designed and although the backing music will never be as good as Emerald Hill, it’s still not too bad.

I do hope that SEGA and Sonic Team read comments made by fans of Sonic. I was always a SEGA and Sonic guy, rather than Nintendo and Mario. It’s sad to see Sonic in bad games, but I am happy that there is potential there for SEGA to publish a great Sonic game. They just have to go back to their roots and forget about these stupid bonus levels and Werehogs.

However, there isn’t enough of the traditional view and mode in Sonic Unleashed, and too much playing with the Werehog. All I can do, and it kills me to say this, is advise you don’t get this game. Simply because it’s a poor game, with a score propped up by a better, more traditional Sonic available to play. Sadly it’s not available to play with enough.