Sonic Unleashed is a 2008 platform video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. The story follows Sonic as he attempts to restore the world after his nemesis Doctor Eggman shatters it with a powerful laser to unleash Dark Gaia, an ancient evil, while dealing with having become a "Werehog", a werewolf-esque transformation, which he gains after coming into contact with the energy of Dark Gaia. Gameplay features two distinct styles, with each being played either during daytime or nighttime. Daytime stages incorporate Sonic's traditional platforming and trademark speed, with a combination of behind-the-back third-person viewpoints and 2D side-scroller platforming; gameplay seamlessly transitions between these two views. Night-time levels see Sonic transform into the Werehog; gameplay slows down to accommodate greater platform play, and involves combat against waves of enemies using the Werehog's brute strength.
The game's development began in 2006, after the creation of its game engine, the Hedgehog Engine. It was initially conceived as a sequel to Sonic Adventure 2, but developer Sonic Team began to introduce enough new innovations that separated it from previous games, and it was renamed Unleashed. The Werehog gameplay was conceived to help introduce newer gamers unfamiliar with the Sonic franchise to the series. The game's existence was first brought to light when Sega trademarked the Unleashed name in March 2008, and shortly after, images and a gameplay video were leaked. Three versions of the game were developed: one by Sonic Team for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, one by Sonic Team and Dimps for the Wii and PlayStation 2, and one by Gameloft for mobile phones. Sonic Unleashed was initially released in November 2008.
Public anticipation for Sonic Unleashed was high, as video game journalists saw it as a possible return to Sonic's platforming roots. While it was commercially successful—selling 2.45 million units—critical reception was mixed. Reviewers praised certain elements, such as the sense of speed in daylight stages and the graphics and audio that make up the environments, but criticized others, such as the Werehog game mechanic, as well as several gameplay and design concepts. Many felt Unleashed was not the game to reinvigorate the series. Sonic Unleashed was delisted from retailers in 2010, following Sega's decision to remove all Sonic games with below-average Metacritic scores from sale. Despite this, the game was released on the PlayStation Network in April 2014 and on PlayStation Now in March 2017, and was also given Xbox One backwards compatibility on November 29, 2018.
Storyline[]
Release Date[]
- PS2, Wii, Xbox 360
NA: November 18, 2008
AU: November 27, 2008
EU: November 28, 2008
JP: December 18, 2008 (Wii)
JP: February 19, 2009 (360) - PlayStation 3
NA: December 9, 2008
AU: December 18, 2008
EU: December 19, 2008
JP: February 19, 2009 - Mobile phones
PAL: June 4, 2009
Also See[]
- Sonic Unleashed (Teasers)
- Sonic: Night of the Werehog (2008) (Short)
Sound Effects Used[]
- Hollywoodedge, Alarm Synthetic Hor HIT021101
- Hollywoodedge, Bell Tower ClassicT PE191201
- Hollywoodedge, Bullet Ricco Whiz By CRT040201/Reverse Ricochet 4 Tw PE207801
- Hollywoodedge, Explo Whoosh CRT040202 (Used for Spring.)
- Hollywoodedge, Gusts Heavy Cold Wind PE031601
- Hollywoodedge, Large Ceramic Pot Bre TE023001/Hollywoodedge, Pottery Drop Break PE112401
- Hollywoodedge, Lion Roar Snarl Growl AT013501
- Hollywoodedge, Medium Explosion Med PE280401
- Hollywoodedge, Metal Hits Metal Pipe FS010601 (Heard when Eggman docks his Eggmobile into the Egg Dragoon's cockpit.)
- Hollywoodedge, Metallic Robot Rampa LB025404
- Hollywoodedge, Pig Squeal Eerie Big TEE016101 (Used for Dark Gaia)
- Hollywoodedge, Reverse Ricochet 3 St PE207701
- Hollywoodedge, Shings High PitchedM PE286701
- Hollywoodedge, Synth Gun Shot Ricoch PE206601
- Hollywoodedge, Whistle Wbulb Horn CRT020801
- Hollywoodedge, Wood Break Or Shatter PE113401
- SA Spring Sound
- Sonic Ring
- Sonic Ring Loss
- SoundDogs, Machine-Servos, Servo And Robots - Arm Gun Snap Up 01 (Used for SA-55 in the Eggman base cutscene.)
- SoundDogs, Machine-Servos, Servo And Robots - Arm Gun Snap Up 02 (Used for SA-55 in the Eggman base cutscene.)
- SoundDogs, Machine-Servos, Servo And Robots - Chair Motor Starts And Stops, Servo (1st; 3rd; and 5th only; used for SA-55 in the Eggman base cutscene.)
- SoundDogs, Machine-Servos, Servo And Robots - Servo Snap Quick X4 (1st; 3rd; and 4th only; used for SA-55 in the Eggman base cutscene.)
- Sound Ideas, ANIMAL, CREATURE - LARGE ANIMAL GROWL 03 (Used for Dark Gaia)
- Sound Ideas, ANIMAL, CREATURE - LARGE ANIMAL ROAR 03 (Used for Dark Gaia)
- Sound Ideas, ANIMAL, CREATURE - LARGE ANIMAL ROAR 06 (Used for Dark Gaia)
- Sound Ideas, CARTOON, SQUEAK - RESIN SQUEAK, STRETCH 03
- Sound Ideas, DOOR, SPACE - LARGE AIR LOCK SHUTTLE DOOR: OPEN OR CLOSE, SCI FI 01
- Sound Ideas, ELECTRICITY, ARCING - ELECTRICAL HUM AND BUZZ WITH ARCING
- Sound Ideas, ELECTRONIC - MAGICAL ENERGY BURST (Heard in the cinematic opening scene)
- Sound Ideas, HIT, METAL - ANVIL FALL ON HEAD, CARTOON 01
- Sound Ideas, INDUSTRY, HYDRAULIC - ELECTRIC HYDRAULIC MACHINE: UP FULL, FACTORY
- Sound Ideas, ZIP, CARTOON - BIG WHISTLE ZING OUT