This is the first time I've played this game in almost 15 years.
I loved this game as a kid, it was one of my favorite Sonic titles, right alongside the Adventure games. Sadly over the years, I've seen more and more people say this game isn't great. Constant video essays, twitter debates, and discussions about this being yet another mediocre entry to the series, with confusing ideas and bad execution. I was worried that upon returning to it, my opinion would shift, that the passage of time would have caused me to view this game as lesser.
I was wrong. Sonic Unleashed is not only underrated, I believe it to be one of the best games in the series. I think everything this game does is great.
The daytime levels are a blast of pure dopamine and speed. They are methodically designed and challenging, highly replayable and memorable, and despite being the first instance of the Boost format of 3D Sonic, it EASILY does it the best.
The nighttime levels are constantly called the worst part of the game, labeled as dull and boring, and I couldn't disagree more. Its an excellent change of pace. The combat is extremely simple, but fun and flashy. The slower more precise platforming is a great refresher after the blinding speed of the day stages. The boss fights are all fun too, minus maybe one or two.
The story is also heartwarming and easily enjoyed. The characters are charming and its a wonderful globe trotting adventure with Sonic and newcomer Chip, the latter garnering way more hatred than he ever deserved. It all leads to a bombastic final level and ending, extremely challenging, fun, and exciting.
I will never ever understand the hate this game receives. Does it have it's issues? Of course it does, the boost and homing attack both being the same button sucks, some of the bosses are a little boring, the framerate chugs in many levels, the camera is wonky, but I don't think ANY of that negates what is otherwise a truly special experience.
Sonic Unleashed deserves to be played, it deserves to be remembered, and it deserves far more than what people have given it since it's release.
I loved this game as a kid, it was one of my favorite Sonic titles, right alongside the Adventure games. Sadly over the years, I've seen more and more people say this game isn't great. Constant video essays, twitter debates, and discussions about this being yet another mediocre entry to the series, with confusing ideas and bad execution. I was worried that upon returning to it, my opinion would shift, that the passage of time would have caused me to view this game as lesser.
I was wrong. Sonic Unleashed is not only underrated, I believe it to be one of the best games in the series. I think everything this game does is great.
The daytime levels are a blast of pure dopamine and speed. They are methodically designed and challenging, highly replayable and memorable, and despite being the first instance of the Boost format of 3D Sonic, it EASILY does it the best.
The nighttime levels are constantly called the worst part of the game, labeled as dull and boring, and I couldn't disagree more. Its an excellent change of pace. The combat is extremely simple, but fun and flashy. The slower more precise platforming is a great refresher after the blinding speed of the day stages. The boss fights are all fun too, minus maybe one or two.
The story is also heartwarming and easily enjoyed. The characters are charming and its a wonderful globe trotting adventure with Sonic and newcomer Chip, the latter garnering way more hatred than he ever deserved. It all leads to a bombastic final level and ending, extremely challenging, fun, and exciting.
I will never ever understand the hate this game receives. Does it have it's issues? Of course it does, the boost and homing attack both being the same button sucks, some of the bosses are a little boring, the framerate chugs in many levels, the camera is wonky, but I don't think ANY of that negates what is otherwise a truly special experience.
Sonic Unleashed deserves to be played, it deserves to be remembered, and it deserves far more than what people have given it since it's release.