Sonic Unleashed: confirmed for Wii, 2.5D [update]
by JC Fletcher 
{ Apr 3rd 2008 at 12:00PM }
Update: Trailer!
While we had no trouble believing that Sonic Unleashed was a real game and that the leaked screens and video were really that game, we had no solid evidence that it would show up on Wii. Sega of Europe has confirmed the existence of the game in a press release, and announced the platforms on which it will be released: pretty much all of them, including the Wii!
Sonic Unleashed will use a new "Hedgehog Engine" and will feature side-scrolling gameplay rendered in 3D graphics, as Sonic battles Eggman and attempts to reassemble the broken world (by running over it?) The werewolf thing also seems confirmed, as the press release says "As the sun sets in Sonic Unleashed, a different type of adventure will awaken in Sonic's newest quest ..." unless they just mean the type of adventure in which you can't see anything. Check out the first two official screenshots of Sonic Unleashed (but still not the Wii version) after the break.
Gallery: Sonic Unleashed
Click for hi-res images
[Via GamesPress]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
samfish @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:17PM
Although great news, I still hope there's Secret Rings-style gameplay in there.
Nigeria: Cody ChesnuTT Defense Force @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:35PM
"Hedgehog Engine"
I chuckled at that.
Hopefully, the game will be good, though, one complaint I do have about the modern Sonic games is the music. The awful generic rock. It's ear piercingly bland, and loud.
It'd be better if they went down the Sonic Rush route. The music in that game was cool. Sort of like JSR.
Or maybe they should just use some Hip-Hop. That's what I'd do.
Joe Cart @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:56PM
I'm on board with you there... if anything they should give it a retro taste, kinda like they did with new super mario bros on DS... they should make the songs sound similar to the tunes from sonic 1, 2,3, knuckles, and hell even sonic pinball and sonic cd (sonic cd- top 5 best game soundtracks all time btw)
crazyyellowguy @ Apr 3rd 2008 4:01PM
Its funny you mention that. Although I myself am not a huge fan of the Sonic series, a lot of the die-hard fans (about 5 people in all ^_^) really like the music selection that the sonic team chooses. Its the one thing that they say never sucks.
Anyways, I wonder how long this game is and how well people will accept this game. I'm scared that the side scrolling hedgehog engine will only appeal to those that played the original sonic and be boring to the newer generation of gamers, but i'm probably wrong since I don't really have any credibility.
Cyber-Tyrant @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:36PM
Hedgehog Engine=New Blast Processing?
XP
Waffala @ Apr 3rd 2008 4:36PM
That's what the Wii needs, Blast Processing, that way it's better than just two gamecubes taped together.
Avoli @ Apr 3rd 2008 6:14PM
Blast Technology =
The Genesis of Wii (dual cubes taped) 32X!!
Could be just another dream cast over my eyes. I must find my nomad cousin and speak with him for further answers. ggood thing he lives close by the Saturn dealership.
I don't know where that came from.
Brian @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:44PM
What the 2.5D about in the title?
Jayenkai @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:53PM
2.5D means the game runs in 3D, but you play in 2D.. So it *should* feel like a good old fashioned 2D sonic, whilst looking nice and 3D..
Notice how, in the shots, Sonic's always in the middle of the path.. He'll stay there, but the paths will twist and turn as he goes.
And yeah, I hope they go Rush-style music, too.
When I first heard it, I thought it was absolutely terrible. (I've probably some posts to that effect, if you google my name long enough!!) It's not until you actually play the game that you really appreciate how great the Rush music really is.
Brian @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:54PM
Thanks Jayenkai
samfish @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:20PM
I just googled my name and am happy to report that I am the dominant samfish on the interwebs.
BOW DOWN, PRETENDERS!
Brad @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:56PM
Ok, it used to be cool. But now, the whole light/dark world thing probably shouldn't be used as a selling point anymore. Not that I don't like it (TP was awesome) but now it just points out that the developers don't have any unique ideas of their own.
This game sound like just a stopgap measure (returning to the classic formula) until Sega figures out what they want to/can do with Sonic.
Roto13 @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:01PM
Hey, this is a very pleasant surprise as I don't have a PS3 or Xbox 360 yet. I love the 2D Sonic games, including the Sonic Rush games. I'm going to dare to have moderately high hopes for this game.
Mr.ESC @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:04PM
Do want! Gimme! Gimme! Now or Hulk smash!
This is sweet I love Sonic games.
RDX @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:36PM
Dude, the Sonic Adventure 2 theme was totally metal. The only part that made me uncomfortable was when they said "and you can hardly swallow". Creepy...
Zachary Hinchliffe @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:45PM
yeah, live and learn was the shit
Mr Khan @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:10PM
It bugs me that they haven't shown screens of the Wii version
But there's no PS2/PSP version in sight, so it shouldn't be a problem. Whatever they make should wind up looking at least as good as Secret Rings
Mr Khan @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:14PM
Ah wait, there is a PS2 version, damnit
That means the Wii version's going to suck...
Nigeria: Cody ChesnuTT Defense Force @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:23PM
Khan, don't say that or it'll become true.
You don't want that, do you?
Mr Khan @ Apr 3rd 2008 5:28PM
It may not, if they have a separate team working on it, and they did claim that they would have 3 teams to do this, Japan, NA, and Europe
So maybe one for PS2, one for Wii, and one for PS360?
Pointz @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:22PM
Yep Mr Khan, that's my reaction to it too. The ps2 held us back from the the GC and Xbox's graphical potential when it came to multiplatform releases and it's still here fucking with the Wii. They should seriously ditch ps2 production.
Koop @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:44PM
Awesome! My fingers are crossed for this title, for both it being a 3D Sonic game that doesn't suck and that it won't get the shaft on the Wii version.
hvnlysoldr @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:54PM
Faith replenished.
Dan Bruno @ Apr 3rd 2008 3:01PM
I haven't really loved a Sonic game for more than a decade now, but I can dream.
John B. @ Apr 3rd 2008 3:15PM
Oh Jesus, how soon can I preorder this? This is EXACTLY what the Sonic franchise needs. No spin offs, no full 3D crap fests, no annoying sidekicks (unless they are just as fast and have the same style of gameplay).
Words cannot describe how excited this makes me. Excuse me while I go replay Sonic Rush 1 and 2.
oddEvan @ Apr 3rd 2008 5:20PM
It looks like they've added that dash thing that was in Sonic Rush... just so long as they don't make us do Special Stages... I freaking hate Special Stages. :)
Haohmaru @ Apr 3rd 2008 6:25PM
This game has officially made it onto Haohmaru's Holy Wishlist of Awesome Shit.
Dustin @ Apr 4th 2008 1:00AM
Looks like a ground-based NiGHTS.
Minas @ Apr 4th 2008 2:08AM
Sonic series are one of the most loved games, personally for me it's better than Mario and the new Sonic Unleashed with new visuals and night mode will be a cool game and definitely worth playing
milan @ Apr 4th 2008 1:40PM
Unfortunately, the old Sonic games weren't just about running through a level as fast as possible. There was an actual platformer in there as well, and although this one looks pretty good, I'm afraid it will be plagued by the same folly.
There is such a strong Sonic fanbase, that it doesn't really matter what they do. (Has anyone actually played Zero Gravity? It is so horrible that Sega tricks people into buying games like that)