[Editors Note: James had the wonderful opportunity of seeing Sonic Unleashed, first-hand at E3. Be sure to thank him for this detailed writeup of Sonic's new adventure! He's pretty beat from all the events this week!]
Sonic Unleashed is a unique experience because Sega has decided to return to Sonic’s original winning formula: fast paced gaming with occasional platforming qualities, bosses, lots of jumping and Chaos Emeralds.
As you well know, the story goes like this. Dr. Eggman (still Dr. Robotnik in my heart) managed to collect all the Chaos Emeralds and used their power on Sonic, causing him to turn into Weresonic at night. Sonic must cure himself and get back at Eggman for his devious ways.
There are several important changes that have been made to Sonic Unleashed. For starters, rings don’t simply act as 1-Up counters and health-bars anymore. Now collecting enough will enable Sonic to have speed bursts. And unlike some previous games, being hit by an enemy won’t make Sonic lose all of his rings.
As Sonic, Sega is utilizing a proprietary engine that they’ve worked on since 2005 called the Hedgehog Engine, made specifically to stream architecture quickly for high-speed movement in-game. While the current build is still a little sluggish, it proved to be very good at what it’s made to do while keeping the framerate steady most of the time.
With Sonic running so fast much of the time, the problem previous titles had was that people couldn’t keep up because the game wasn’t accommodating to them. It simply let sonic run along and players were left wondering what was going on. Not anymore. Now when Sonic runs at the speed of sound, the camera goes into 2-D mode, either from a side angle (as we’ve seen in the trailers) or from behind Sonic. When looking at Sonic from behind, the controls switch from using the left analog stick for movement to using the right and left bumpers (on the 360 version) to perform “quick steps”. Hitting the right bumper will move Sonic one space to the right, and the left bumper to the left.
At the same time, when not running, Sonic Unleashed acts as a platformer. The demo I saw first-hand had Sonic jumping up a set of ledges on moving platforms with rotating spikes looking for blood, just like the good ol’ days. Sonic has his typical running gameplay, and pushing the X button is a homing attack that becomes very useful and necessary when getting through levels. B is for crouch and A is for jump (Xbox 360 version was shown).
As Weresonic, the rules change drastically. Controls change to the Y button being attack, X being an attack throw and B being a grab. Weresonic doesn’t run nearly as fast as Sonic does, even if he’s on all fours. However, Weresonic has many other qualities that Sonic doesn’t have that change the pace of gameplay significantly.
Weresonic has long arms that stretch, making him an excellent climber. Much of the game as Weresonic will have him climbing different areas, making his sections of the game more vertical as opposed to Sonic’s horizontal gameplay. Weresonic is also a fighter; as explained by the controls, he’s got three different attack buttons that can be performed on enemies at any given time, and he fights lots of enemies. All in all, Weresonic has over 30 different fighting combos’, many of which are unlocked after gaining experience points. He also won’t lose rings because Weresonic uses a health bar, though to compliment that he also has a shield bar. This bar is for blocking attacks. The more attacks Weresonic blocks, the lower his shield gets, but he won’t lose health while blocking.
There is no online multiplayer, so don’t expect to be running next to friends playing as Tails or Knuckles. Also, don’t expect to be playing as other characters; this one is purely Sonic or Weresonic, though mini-games will have players as other characters in the Sonic universe.
Sonic Unleashed is set for release on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and PS2 November of this year in the US and Europe. No release date has been set for Japan or other regions. The Wii version will of course have motion controls, but will also allow players to use their Gamecube or Classic controllers. The PS2 version will be completely different from the others, though no details were given on what those differences are.
@DarkChaos: Sounds great! I only have Wii!
I love SU! And some more serious thing isn’t wrong.
I want to see more Wii pics.
Woot! 1st comment!
It’s finally up!
*begins to read*
No… (2nd comment) :p
@BanoX93: I’m guess lots of Wii owners would like that. Nothing new on that front from SEGA at this point.
1st?
lol
@David Leggett: Good thing I can count on this site to let me know if any are published ^_^
2nd comment!!! Woo
@shadowfan: Holy ****! that many comments in just a few seconds?
damn!i was hoping that i wolud be the first comment!
OH WELL THE SECOND COMMENT YEAH!
by the way…….others characters will not play on story mode?
intresting.
(say david,can you please add a smiley collection on a lazy rainy day?Would be nice)
Wherehog gameplay is now REALLY reminding my of devil may cry with new combo upgrades…
and the useage of gamecube controller says something about the general controls of the game.
I am viewing the wii version as a seperate game now.
@shadowfan: We’re going to be posting some new rules in regards to commenting pretty soon. All these people posting what comment’er they are… it’s beginning to bug me.
……………………..JUST FORGET THE 2nd COMMENT……..DAMN
Aaide from a few confirmations and specfics on control schemes, alot of this we knew already.
No news on Chao?
sonic should lose all his rings jeeeeeejjjj
*Aside (sorry, typo)
David Leggett@:WHY?
Nothing significantly new, but the experience points thing.
@Final Rush: No news on Chao. They could be saving an announcement for later, or it could be a sign that they aren’t planning to include them at all. Your guess is as good as mine.
@Nano: I’m tired of people making fools out of themselves, and then inflating the comment count by posting: “1st”, and then an additional, “Dang! 2nd!”. It’s fun, but distracting from the real discussion.
When is your interview? Or was this it?
So Nothing significantly new?
Bummer…
Oh well, here’s hoping for that coveted Chao Garden!
@David Leggett:
For fun, why not allow users to say “1st,” if their post is first. But if their post is 2nd or 3rd, and they say “1st…” BAN THEM.
This way, the banned users will go home with a sense of humor.
@David Leggett: You’re not the only one… and it would be really nice if people would keep CAPS LOCK off most of the time.
That’s a good preview. It did answer to few things I wasn’t sure about.
Thanks for the writer
Cool stuff, thanks James!
Also, I agree, stop with the 1st post thing! What’s the point?!?
Opps. Sorry, I forgot to ask. In Daytime play were you able to charge up a spindash, and are you able to stop and turn around?
Thanks!
NO! That sucks! Nothing new about the chaos I hope there will be a choa garden. PLZ SEGA!
Wait!? Interview?!
You can stop and turn around
http://www.campsonic.com/2008/07/16/gamespots-live-demonstration-of-sonic-unleashed
I am rather excited for this game, but I wonder what they mean by the PS2 being different from them all? I am fairly certain the graphics should be similar to the Wii and there is no sense in cropping it since there would be the amount of space usable on the disc. My only guess is that there maybe different bonus material on the PS2 version to encourage the sales of that version, but it still doesn’t sound quite right.
And just to add my own comment on the posting what number commenter you are. There is no reason to ban them for saying they are first when they aren’t, because there is something called lag for many internet users still, but please stop, it is a pointless thing to point out because everyone will see that you are first or whatever number when they read the posts in order. I don’t mean to be rude by this. I am simply giving an opinion.
Great stuff you have here, David. Been reading since before the redesign and I just wanted to compliment you on not only the content, but your graphic design. I’m a designer and I’m constantly impressed by your graphic headers and wallpapers. Cheers.
correction: aspiring designer
question.does were sonic feel faster then big the cat from sonic adventure.cause bigs pretty slow in that game and were sonic seems lil faster.just curious
@David Leggett:
yeah,that isn’t really a sharp thing to do.
Be sure to watch out with rules,I dislike that stiff feel at some forums…
As for people,I see a few sonic types popping up.
people can be …:
Sonic: witty,and a nice talker.
has humor,irony and sarcastic comments at times,but is never really offending.
Overall friendy and smart.
david legget is this type,you murdered the sega factsheet.:P
Tails: much like the sonic type,but somewhat more humble.
Has often good new views in comments.
Not really that common,as on internet it blends somewhat with the sonic type.I think I belong to this,and also a bit of the sonic type.
Knuckles:
”I think this is *****.Sega,you won’t do this or ELSE!”
Okay,I am overdoing it a bit:P
you get the picture,this are davids feared ”angry people”.
Rude,and generally lightly unflamable.
Nobody is 100% a knuckles of course,and I only mean knuckles negative side,but if I see a **** comment,I always think ”knucklehead”.
People like this need to relax a bit,and try to act a bit less rude.
Just chill out.
Shadow:
Always serious,looking at the facts,and often boasting a neutral,fact based view that can be pessimistic at times.
I partially agree with them,but it never hurts to hope.
Charmy bee:
OMG!!FIRST COMMENTORS WHEE!
I LIEK THIS GAME!!/I COMPLETELY THINK THIS IS GOING TO SUCK!!
Charmy bees are hyper people with their heart on their tongue.
can be possively or negatively meaning.
Really outspoken,but it does´t hurt to type without the caps button and think before you type.
Eggman
People who are not well meaning at all.
Perhaps they are sonic haters,or they are just bored and looking for a fight.
Trolling and insulting all the way,this are the rotten eggs of the bunch.
Of course this are stereotypes,and they overlap all the time,but this are the general people that are coming to this site,however we haven´t seen a real mean troll/eggman yet.
Sonic and tails are favorable,while the other types save for eggman mostly also can blend with them.
Can you place this in the rules david?
Knowing extreme examples,people will realise a bit who they are,and realise what they are doing.
No sense creating a long list of regulations.
This list is most likely out of place here I think,and the comments pile must have grown a bit now I fear…
@dragonite:
Wow…I honestly like what you’ve got there!
Basing what kinds of characters the commenter are by looking at the comments that they post up and deciding from there!
Seems like a good idea, but probably a little prejudice if you ask me, classifying different types of comments, but that’s me…
WereSonic is fast, but not as fast as Sonic. Which is good, in the night stages it would be a detriment to run too fast.
I hope the PS2/Wii versions aren’t equal graphically, because that means the Wii version is being gimped. The Gamecube is more powerful than the PS2, and the Wii is a souped up Gamecube.
@Aregulardude:
they are stereotypes,we are carry a bit of those types within us,nobody is purely one type.
It is more like taking a orginal take on creating rules.
@Quik: Thanks mate
I’m not much of an artist, but I’ve been really interested in design for a long time. I actually *try* to teach it over at Tutorial9.net 
@dragonite: Well, the rules will be quite simple, very straightforward. Most of them will just cover ways you can be insta-banned from Camp Sonic. Others will just be explanations for WHY a comment may have been deleted. Don’t worry too much about them at this point.
@Sonicdp: Weresonic seems like he can move rather quick on all fours. Just not nearly as fast as Sonic the Hedgehog.
it might have online 2 players cause when he was asked if it had regeler 2 players he answerd with a online answer and this isnt the first time sega lied
I’d personally like some PS2 shots.. because darnnit, we’re the most screwed… the only up is that those of us stuck at the PS2 level can play this game for once since… Shadow the Hedgehog (I think?). I won’t talk about Sonic Riders.
Great overview. So long as they fix the sluggishness at times, this game has a lot of potential. <3
@Sonicdp: Yes, he’s probably faster, and probably equally as strong.
@dragonite: Ooo, interesting list you got there. I’m in between a Shadow and a Tails. Maybe a bit of Sonic. It’s not a definative one, everybody is different, but still, a great idea.
I hope the Wii version would support Nintendo WFC. I think it would be pretty cool.
I’m catching up with all the info, and everything looks very good so far, although I’m not quite sold on the Werehog gameplay just yet.
As Lamb84 asked, was this your interview? Since it doesn’t really seem like one.
@Link451: I’m not sure why people thought we were interviewing SEGA. I said that we would be shown Sonic Unleashed, and I remember mentioning in a discussion previously that there was a chance we’d be able to ask them questions ourselves (which didn’t pull through as expected).
@NintendoBrad: You and lots of other Sonic Fans.
@David Leggett: Are you going to pick up all the versions of SU?
cool thanks james
@BanoX93: Not sure. Xbox 360 for sure, and most likely the Wii as well. Really depends on the differences between versions though (not from an enjoyment level so much – although I will enjoy it
, but so I can talk about them all here).
@David Leggett: Yeah, I’m in the same boat. Not much of an artist, but I like my design skills.
If you don’t mind a bit of spam (totally not what I came here for, btw), you and the Campers might appreciate this: http://quiksilverzero.deviantart.com/art/Sonic-the-Cereal-finished-41712987
lol that picture’s pretty awesome! nice work quik!
Wow.
Online functions – online multiplayer = High scores and Chao!
[...] impressions are here. You’ll note at the end that James says no online multiplayer is planned. We had [...]
What does it mean when it says
“Your comment is awaiting moderation”
@Quik: whoa that’s really cool how do you do that?
http://sonic.sega.jp/SonicWorldAdventure/
NEW WEBSITE on Sonic World Adventure
i think the ps2 version will be crappier….
Ok, I am much more relieved. It looks like even though this game is very fast, it is still a platformer, giving you time to think, and not just hold the boost button down. This game looks more and more massive and just plain awsome as things go on.
He admin have you notice that the Japan has its own sonic unleashed page. I found out on The Sonic Stadium.
Well I think we should try to use google translate to find out if there is any info on Sonic Unleashed.
http://sonic.sega.jp/SonicWorldAdventure/#/index
Also I think I noticed that there is some different pictures on japanese website.
Here is the link
http://sonic.sega.jp/SonicWorldAdventure/#/index/screen/020
Another thing I wanted to say is that I think the a new rumour now is that the release date is November 18 and there is a tutorial magzine for 20 dollars.
Note: When will the fact sheet be updated?
oops
sorry for my repeating comment.
how come my comment won’t show?
@Sonic The Hedgehog:
How did you get your comment to show?
I try to show the same thing about the japanese website but it won’t show.
@dragonite: Thats prettty cool dragonite. I think like most people I’m tails and sonic. As i’ve said before hence the name. Propbably a little more tails.
@Sonicman: That japanese site was kinda weird. I tried it but prefered here. The trailers take ages to load at that site and there are no interesting facts or headlines. But I’m sure it will get better.
Thanks james for the write-up. Only thing I’m slightly weirded out about is that you dont lose all your rings when you hit an enemy. Though this is a good thing just very different. and instead of homing with A,A u home with A,X. But hey wont be hard once I get out of the habit
Sonic Team’s Sonic Unleashed (Sonic World Adventure) website http://sonic.sega.jp/SonicWorldAdventure/#/index
@Sonic The Hedgehog:
The twilit shots of Mykonos have me wondering about how exactly time will flow in-game. They most likely aren’t from cutscenes or part of a hubworld, due to the loop-de-loop seen in one of pics. I know that we’ve already found out that there will be parts of stages that will feature the passing of time, we haven’t seen it in actual gameplay form. Here’s to hoping it shows up at TGS.
^Not to mention Chao. (Doesn’t look good for those little blue blobs.) X(
The “Endless Possibility” trailer runs much smoother on that website, it has more frames and looks more awesome on that Japanese site! Why the hell did they give a choppy, unsmooth version to us!? I hope they release a smoother version of it soon! :-/
It’s kinda freaky. I come on here looking to see if there’s anything new and then there’s this new post saying my name when I didn’t submit anything….is that freaky or what?
Wow this game.. is gonna be so epic…. Come on SEGA! Bring Sonic back because I don’t want to lose my hero for 7 years!! T_T
Demo info?wii demo?
Yeah, I really want some info on the wii version of this game.
too bad silver isnt in it
this is gonna be good i can tell
looks good so far. but I want to see more info on the PS2 version, what they said about the PS2 version being different from the other 3…just makes me more anxious for info on the PS2 version.
@David Leggett: Have you ever thought that SEGA might actually be using the Hedgehog engine for Wii and PS2? Like, said said there will be no online or multiplayer modes of any kind. Maybe SEGA is doing the same thing but with the Hedgehog engine. What do you think about my opinion?
@David Leggett: Have you ever thought that SEGA might actually be using the Hedgehog engine for Wii and PS2? Like, SEGA said there will be no online or multiplayer modes of any kind, right? Maybe SEGA is doing the same thing but with the Hedgehog engine. What do you think about my opinion?
oops, sorry for the reupload =P
Woot! I get to use Sonic with my ol’ Gamecube controller again after such a long time! SEGA, your doing a great job! Keep it up! XD
Wow, this is really exciting for me. I’m a big sonic fan. And its cool that their adding a new game to rest of the collection.
But i have a really big question about the game.
Will it be like the rest of the games and have a hidden story?…
probly, even SR did *stunning*
I designed the Sonic the Cereal box in a combination of Photoshop and Illustrator.
Ah, the GameCube-controller support is the tibbit I’ve been waiting for to hear confirmed, since I wasn’t sure about Sega + motion controls (they did work quite good in Secret Rings, though).
Good hands-on by the way.
@YumeTakato: I don’t want to be cruel on the PS2 fans/users here, but we Wii fans/users have been suffering from the PS2 for some time now. Mainly because the PS2-version of a game usually means the Wii-version will not be using the Wii’s hardware to its full extend.
For example: If Secret Rings had been released for both Wii and PS2 at the time, like Sonic ‘06 was released for 360/PS3 (and failed -_-), I can bet that because of the PS2, the Wii version of Secret Rings wouldn’t have looked as good as it does now.
@jorenmartijn:
that could be right.
When does the ps2 at least stop getting games?
It is like the gameboy and gameboy colour now.
I hope the priority is the Wii version, because I don’t want to be playing a crappy PS2 port.
i hope the werehog is in sonic games 2 come that would make me happy
do you know fi Sonic Unleashed is having a Chao Garden is just that they are fun and cute xD and i fel in love with them since sonic adventure 2 battle please tell me if there are any chances on a chao garden
Thanks for the information, James.
Did you see any cutscene? If so, how did Sonic sound? Like in Riders Zero Gravity, or a bit more young? I suppose Robotnik is called Eggman in this game too, right?
I still can’t understand how the 2D to 3D switch works. From what I’ve seen, when Sonic is in a loop, the gameplay is in 2D, pressing the right button, and when he’s in an open road, it can be both.
So they take the good of Sonic adventure 2 and Sonic and the secret rings, nice.
I mean that you can get new moves on the form of Hidden secret items and you can level up your moves by using them a lot.
They are really going all out, if this game fails it won’t be for the lack of trying.
It’s a Sonic Adventure, Rush, Rivals and Secret Rings Game! How can it fail?
I really hope this is the game that saves the series.
Well! Sega’s sure doing their homework now! They’re currently solving the problems in the previous titles (e.g. uncooperative camera system, slower gameplay). Plus, a while ago, people were asking for the Gamecube Controller to be used for the Wii version, and now it does. So far, Sonic has made an incredible comeback on Sonic Rush Adventure. Can Sega keep it up?
@Mystery the Hedgehog:
Sure they can! They’re just as capable of developing a top game as Nintendo. They’ve just been in a bad stage lately. I’m not sure, but it seems that with this game, they’re passing through that stage.
Ah! I almost forgot. In Shadow the Hedgehog, if you get hit, you don’t lose all of your rings. This is a recurring element!
Any news as to when they will show some PS3 footage?
Yay im so happy
i found some cool wii screenshots and if you don’t believe me the plants on the wall they look like they are pasted but anyway that graphics are awesome!! im so happy 
check the pics here: http://wii.kombo.com/article.php?artid=11751#
@RockerDuDe:
Sorry. Those are Xbox 360 screenshots. I don’t know why they’re there.
“And unlike some previous games, being hit by an enemy won’t make Sonic lose all of his rings.”
Then what DOES happen?
@RockerDuDe: yeah dude that article is from April 11th! those are xbox and PS3 screenshots NOT wii here are the wii screenshots: http://www.campsonic.com/nintendo-power-sonic-unleashed-wii-scans-2
so dont get your hopes up i have a wii too so im not too excited by the graphics but the gameplay will make up for it! that and i also have a PS3 so im buying both here but on the brightside atleast it’s coming out for the wii too otherwise it’d be only PS3 and 360 which was the original intention so your lucky they decided to make the game for other console owners
@Kev:
And yet at the same time unlucky if it turns out that the Wii version is held back by the PS2 version.
A Bit random, but I did a Sonic – Werehog morph on Morpheous. Unfortunately, it was the free trial, which happened to expire, so It may not be the best ever. I needed to slow it downa bit.
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll194/SpectralArc/WerehogMorph.gif
gawd no one is gonna see this comment
well im thinkin or getting the wii for the full experience
i hope they make a “hard mode” where u loose all your rings after getting hit once…..or at least bring back the missions like in in the sonic adventure 2(100 rings,lost chao,clear within time limit, clear hard mode etc.)
oh i have a 360 already
@Chaos Blast:
it looks intresting..
love the way the face changes.
dang no news on chao why sega. Though since their is no online multy player mabye their is an online chao store for the might be there chao garden. With an online chao store replayability because of chao will go on for a long time don’t you agree? I mean they cvan put up new chao images and mabye even character eggs!!! that would be cool!!!
@Chaos Blast:
indeed that does look pretty good, nice job ^.^
Ever since Yuji Naka left the games have been so stupid. What’s with Elise?! I mean, you just don’t see humans and hedgehogs walking hand in hand and kissing often!
I miss this old Sonic. Sonic Adventure 2 Battle is my favorite, always has been my favorite, and ALWAYS WILL BE MY FAVORITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get real, SEGA, or you will be going to the same direction as Microsoft. Down the toilet.
by the way those ARE wii screenshots you guys are just pessimistic that the wii cant handle good graphics yet you guys havent even seen its full potentiel according to nintendo the game companies refuse to use the wii up to full potential because the other versions of the game that they would be making would be dwarfed by the wii version. DUH!! anyway the article on that site said that those were really wii screenshots, they even said they were gonna give up on the wii version because of what they THOUGHT the graphics would be like. you guys have no faith in the wii’s potential im talking about you Kev and trueblueJ7 NO FAITH!! you are wii haters!!
UltimateLifeForm22 Says:
I miss this old Sonic. Sonic Adventure 2 Battle is my favorite, always has been my favorite, and ALWAYS WILL BE MY FAVORITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dude i agree with you sonic adventure 2 battle is on eof the best sonic games and in my opinion the best 3D sonic game if sonic unleashed has a chao feature like sonic adventure 2 battle the game will rock! please SEGA dont be stupid and put some chaos on the game they are so cute ^.^
Rockerdude: All the way man, all the way. chao/SA2B rule.
@Kev:
Whenever I get a chance, I’ll try to buy both the Wii and the PS3/Xbox360 versions. I love the graphics (and possibly, the gameplay), of the Next-Gen consoles, and I would certainly love the gameplay on Wii.
I don’t have any of the consoles yet, and I don’t know yet which Next-Gen console I’ll get (I prefer the PS3, though, but it’s probably because I prefer that brand over Microsoft), neither I know if I’ll get a Wii first. I probably will, it has lots of fun games, and I would possibly be able to connect my DS to it, for some games.
This is the first game that seems worthy to buy more than one version!
anyone has information about chaos? please ask SEGA or something xD
will sonic unleashed controllers will be used on wii and gamecube like classic controller,nunchunk and gamecube controller.because thier easy to use on nintendo wii controllers.
[...] Click here to read the full preview at Camp Sonic [...]