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Sonic: Unleashed (Xbox 360) | 
| From: Sega
Category: Video Games
List Price: £44.99
Buy New: £17.98
You Save: £27.01 (60%)
New (8) Used (6) from £17.98
Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 129
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: platformer-games
Rating: To Be Announced
Media: Video Game
Operating System: Xbox 360
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.6
EAN: 5060138440494
ASIN: B001788Q8M
Release Date: November 28, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk
Sonic Unleashed is built on a powerful new "Hedgehog Engine", which introduces seamless 3D to classic 2D camera transitions, whilst delivering a rich and expansive world with multiple paths to choose from. Under development for three years, the Hedgehog Engine produces a visually rich next generation look and feel with elements of classic Sonic gameplay mechanics. The Hedgehog engine will help re-define the gameplay experience for Sonic fans and newcomers to the franchise alike. "By combining rich and vibrant scenery with dynamic viewpoints Sonic Unleashed will provide an immersive 3D experience whilst keeping alive the 2D gameplay elements and fantastic worlds that Sonic fans know and love" commented Gary Knight, European Marketing Director for SEGA Europe. "In addition to this classic Sonic gaming experience, when darkness sets in Sonic Unleashed players will be able to experience a completely new way to play as Sonic… making this his most exciting adventure yet!" Having been broken apart by the evil Dr Eggman, it's down to Sonic to put the pieces of the world back together again by retrieving the power of the chaos emeralds. In doing so, Sonic will find himself in a race against time and faced with an unusual situation that will challenge him in ways never before seen. By completing a wide variety of action-packed stages, spanning the seven broken continents of the world, gamers will need to unleash Sonic's amazing abilities to save the world, and himself! The opportunity to engage in Sonic in different ways during the day and night time levels brings a completely original way of playing to the Sonic franchise, in addition to running at high speeds in classic Sonic style, combat fighting will become possible. Super quick Sonic's speed skills will be highlighted by four new modes, whilst the all new combat, movement and functional abilities will offer depth and variety to the game. As the sun sets in Sonic Unleashed, a different type of adventure will awaken in Sonic's newest quest….
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| Customer Reviews:
 "Sonic, you were close" December 30, 2008
Some might wonder who the title of my review is quoted from, though in many Sonic fans hearts this is perhaps what they would of said. I did too because my favourite blue rodent was so close and yet so far from his former glories.
Sonic and the Secret Rings was a general sprint in the right direction that needed some expansion and tighting to create a new Sonic great and from the first opening levels featuring the blue one in Sonic Unleashed you'd be almost forgiving for thinking that Sega nailed it. Unfotunatley as many people have learnt we shouldn't raise hopes too high for Sonic (unless he's 2D).
The problem is ironically is that Sonic moves too bloody fast which would be less problomatic if the level design didn't lay spikes and pitfalls that require a trial and error approach to enjoy. A shame as these sections of the game become far more enjoyable once you know the design of each stage but this is all at the expense of frustration. This is also not aided by a somewhat irksome (but not fatal) control system.
What really lets the game down though is something everyone assummed in the first place; the new gameplay mecahnic. Due to an irrelavant plot device at night Sonic turns into a Werehog turning the game from fast paced hit and miss to plain average slug fest. The combot system is a simplified version of God of War but the uninspired enemies don't feel rewarding or challenging; essentially though you are just hammering the buttons away. Splice in some average platform sections and you have quite the repetitive brawler. If it didn't take up over half the game time this wouldn't be so proplomatic.
Even getting to the stages is tedius with a vastly bland hub world forcing you to drudge through some awful talking sequences with the native residents for the sole reason of collecting information to move to the next stage. Though often you'll need items to progress meaning you'll have to replay previous stages (usually the werehog ones) just to move forward. If it's any constalation the music has improved over other 3D efforts and this at least means your eardrums won't be falling asleep.
It's painful to say this but I really wanted this to be THE Sonic game, the one that regains the hedgehogs pride. What we have is an enjoyable but ultimately frustrating game. Maybe next time Sega will release a game that includes 100% Sonic sections that are polished to perfection but for now this is only for the Sonic gamers that are still high on nostalgia.
Sonic Unleashed: Best Next Gen Sonic Game Yet! December 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Overview:
Graphics 9/10 - excellent intro, great sense of speed and animation
Gameplay 8/10 - thrilling 2D speed sections, overlong "werehog" stages
Sound 8/10 - nice original sound effects, but no instantly recognisable themes
Overall 8/10 - a solid return to form for Sonic
Main Review:
Sonic Unleased is a good game, although not quite great. At least not for those who aren't adept at 3D platform games.
In the old days of the humble megadrive, anyone could pick up a joypad and have a quick game of Sonic The Hedgehog. It's controls were simple, the aim of the game was simple and the mechanics of pressing 1 button to jump meant even Grandad could manage to play and enjoy the game.
In the 3D arena of Xbox 360s and PS3s however, Sega has made the assumption that everybody is clued up on 3D platformers and using each and every button for the simplest of tasks. This is all well and good for avid gamers, but for the inexperienced or very young, the game is overly complicated and at times frustratingly difficult. Gone have the days of "pick up and play". Without knowing your way around a joypad blindfolded, this game is a nightmare.
However, there is still much joy to be had from this game. The opening level is reminisent of the Sonic of old - the speed at which the game plays is frantic, but fun - hearing the original "ping" when you collect a ring is nostalgic gold. Viewed in a 3rd person perspective, charging around a primary coloured playground (Greenhill Zone style) is like playing a super fast drving game - only with a jump button to enable new routes. At times the view changes to a 2D plane, when the speed increases to such an extent that you can't help but grin like to cheshire cat.
The game changes pace significantly during the "werehog" stages. These stages, although not entirely without merit, do drag on for too long and towards the end of the level, outstay their welcome. Initally grabbing, throwing and beating up bad guys does offer a refreshing change to the super fast preceding stages, as do the simple(ish) puzzles - but when it takes over 30 minutes to do one stage, compared to the couple of minutes to the "normal" Sonic levels, the game becomes somewhat imbalanced. You also need to be adept on the control pad, as to beat some baddies a Quick Time Event (a series of timed button presses) are required, one false move and you have to start all over again.
The in game music is less inspired than in previous Sonic outings. The orchestral changes in music indicate an incoming invasion of bad guys during the werehog levels and the ambient meoldies in the background throughout the arenas are nice, but lack the instant recognition of the old megadrive tunes.
If you are prepared to invest time into the werehog stages, you'll be greeted by some excellent animation, clever use of lighting and a relatively useful camera. My 9 year old daughter's attention span couldn't take it, nor could my girlfriend (who is a megadrive sonic expert), the incoherent storyline didn't endear them either.
The story - another over complication from Sega for a Sonic title - sees Sonic trying to rebuild a world that has literally been torn apart by Dr Robotnik/Eggman. This involves an amnesiac flying dog thing, Tails/Miles Prower and a host of other characters that you have to liase with before each pre-stage arena, as well as the aforementioned werehog that Sonic changes into during the night time (beat em up) stages.
In conclusion, this new Sonic game will engage you - if you allow it. Invest enough time, have patience and you will be rewarded with a great platforming experience - something this next generation of consoles is sorely lacking.
Honest and Straight to the point. December 5, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Simple thing to keep in mind as you look at the back of this game in your local shop: don't believe the severity of the reviews, Sonic Unleashed is a very decent little blast. First up, although it's nearly sans innovation, the werehog levels are good old plaformy beat `em up romps, they're not as horrifically obnoxious as the reactionist reviewers would have you believe, they're just typical platform beater style levels with a few jumps, special moves, lite puzzles and other staples of the genre (some of the combos and moves are well cool though and the graphics and animation are really top notch - and I actually like the werehog character and the contrast he brings). Actually the graphics throughout the title are very, very good in my humble opinion, and the speedy daytime levels are also very nice - in fact the only pointless bits are the bits where you wander round the town hubs and talk to people for clues - the story is not so important for these elements to hold any sort of sway - however there are a few collectables and items to make your journey more interesting and again the graphics and lighting are sweet. Oh and one more point - the opening CGI intro is unbelievable, real eye popping, pixar level animation and models. I don't know how many more animations there are like this as the game goes on as i've only played about 4 hours, and it seems pretty big, but they are stunning so bring 'em on.
Overall a few new touches don't make for massive amounts of innovation, and perhaps thats' why the reviews where lower than expected for such a solid title - but then that doesn't explain why GTA IV got 10 out of 10. Well whatever the case may be with other games and why they get the scores they do I whole heartedly recommend Sonic Unleashed as a casual little platform game that'll see you right over the festive season! Enjoy! Better than the past 10 years of sonic games combined so don't be afraid to take a chance.
suprisingly good! November 30, 2008
8 out of 10 found this review helpful
I wasnt too instrested in this game at first since sega havent made a decent sonic game since sonic and knuckles for the mega drive, but im so glad i gave this a try.
Half the game you play as old school blue speedy sonic, the stages are mainly done old school, running as fast as you can and just jumping over things, they havent destoryed it trying to make it 3D ether, it feels great and very remenesince ( i cant spell at all, sorry)
The 2nd half you play as a warehog ( or however you spell it) I thought this was going to be the downfall of the game after i played the first level as old sonic, but oh how i was wrong. Its just like a new style platformer, you get different moves and need to beat up lots of bad guys, you can do different graps and throw smaller monsters at other ones, the combat is suprisingly fun. They have also thrown in a few "puzzles" and some platform jumping in the warehog stages, but mainly its fighting.
They have also added an experience system, so you can lvl up normal or warehog sonic, giving them more speed, attacks or life and so on.
If you still arnt sure, go and rent if from somewhere cuz it has put my faith back into sega
 Awesome! October 5, 2008
7 out of 14 found this review helpful
I have been lucky enough to see this game in action before it is even released, and goodness does this game look promising.
I was a little hesitant as to how good this game would actually be. All I can say to you is, don't make that mistake! Superb graphics, great controls, action packed gameplay. Highly addictive.
If you like Sonic, buy this game.
If you don't like Sonic, buy this game!
You will not be disapointed.
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