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The second Platform adventure for SEGA’s leading mascot
on the Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION3, Sonic Unleashed released in
late 2008 as part of the all important Christmas line-up. Hoping to
rectify the mistakes seen in SONIC The Hedgehog, the
suggested rebirth of the franchise on the
 Current-Generation,
Sonic Unleashed brings the 3D rush gameplay along with a
brand new, darker side of Sonic himself.
The two gameplay styles act as just that in-game;
entirely separate structures for individual levels. The classic
Platforming rush comes earliest and already in an inspiring form.
Immaculately detailed backdrops shoot by at a dazzling pace, with
lessons learned from the franchises’ first outing on Wii, Sonic
and the Secret Rings, in that control of a player’s on-screen
avatar can be comprehensive, without continuously disconnecting the
player from the momentum. These levels show Sonic at his 3D best;
effortlessly quick with layer-upon-layer of hidden depths for
repeated play. Checkpoints are appropriately positioned and, bar the
occasional sticking point, these levels are never anything short of
enjoyable.
The supposed revolution that this, as every, modern
Sonic the Hedgehog must propose is that of the darker “werehog”
levels. As the typically trite storyline suggests early-on, Sonic
has been afflicted with a transformation after dark into
particularly hairy version of his former self. Losing much of his
speed and grace, this werehog form provides the apparatus for the
less energetic Platform and combat segments to transpire. The combat
is a curious beast, as not only is the werehog form of Sonic benefit
to some rather striking combo manoeuvres, but also has elasticised
limbs.
After the thrillrides that are the hedgehog levels, it can feel a
bit tedious to be forced to play through a plodding werehog level
before given another dose of speed. Though in
themselves not entirely ruinous, the comparison is jarring and,
quite unfortunately, the first part of the game largely focuses on
the lesser to the two gameplay efforts. The gameplay is mixed-up a
bit with flying levels and quick bursts as the flying fox, yet
little can compare to the rush Platforming that appears to occur so
infrequently by comparison.
Each of the levels is accessed through an entirely
superfluous HUB world. Aiming to progress the story and offer
additional sub-missions through a pseudo Role-Playing Game
presentation, the areas lack any of the charm that could have easily
been conjured by a simple Menu Screen. Further to this is the
requirement to Level-Up both variations of Sonic, which though could
be seen as rewarding, with no guide as to which of, or how, your two
personalities should be improved to tackle the difficulties that lie
ahead, progress may become unnecessarily taxing at completely
inappropriate points.
Just as in the gameplay, the visual style of the game is
that of two distinct disconnects. The hedgehog gameplay travels at a
blistering pace with detailed, attractive environments and well
animated enemies. Rendered in the same manner in levels of a slower
tempo, however, show that up close not all is as seems, with some
bland environments and generic enemies with unpredictable
animation sequences – further creating barriers to the game’s
unreliable combat. The Cut-Scenes deliver the story well, though
this won’t prevent all but children and the most ardent Sonic fans
mentally switching-off after the first three-or-four sequences.
Sonic Unleashed is a confusing game. Seeming to
do everything right and finally establishing Sonic the Hedgehog
as a brand having found it’s 3D form, it then almost grinds it
to a halt with a wholly problematic attempt at making the blue bur
more aggressive – clearly, no lessons have been learnt from the
disheartening Shadow the Hedgehog. While the game will
undoubtedly please Sonic’s younger fans – and, with two Downloadable
Content packs available thus far, quite obvious is - those
who remember purchasing the original Mega-Drive titles with their
own pocket money may not warm to the slower pace of half of Sonic
Unleashed so quickly. Both beautiful and disappointing, SEGA
still haven’t quite managed to prove that their mascot can be
momentous on the Current-Generation. |
