image: IGN.com

In his newest adventure, Sonic Unleashed, Sonic must thwart the actions of Doctor Eggman after he splits the world into pieces by using Chaos Emeralds to unleash the powerful beast, Dark Gaia, from the center of the earth.  The Chaos Emeralds also have an affect on our favorite protagonist – Sonic gets turned into Sonic the Werehog.  I’ve got to say that when I first saw that thing, I was immediately disappointed.  I know this might appeal to some gamers but many purists have been unhappy with this transformation.  Fortunately, when the sun comes up in the game, we are able to play with the hedgehog but, as night falls, that beast returns.

image: IGN.com

For much of the game, we get to experience some familiar things.  Sonic races around the game (during the day) at an incredible speed picking up rings and breaking objects along the way.  During the night-time scenes, Sonic the Werehog emerges and he’s slower, bigger but his arms can stretch and he’s stronger.  I don’t really know if those are good enough benefits to outweigh how clunky he is to play with.  The good news is that Sonic Team/Sega realize that there were some problems with this character.  The (possible) bad news is that the werehog may be gearing up for another appearance.  Hopefully, if they do that, they will implement enough changes to make this alter-ego more congruent with the Sonic we all know and love.

I loved the levels and gameplay but that werehog just started to annoy me after a while.  Watch the trailer here:

Post from: EveryJoe

Video Game Review: “Sonic Unleashed”

Like most recent Sonic the Hedgehog games, the recently released Sonic Unleashed was expected to reboot the franchise and bring it back to its roots. And while I’ve yet to play the full version, Sega put a demo of the game on the PlayStation Network this week so I decided to get a taste of how the game turned out.

The first thing you’ll notice when starting the demo is the incredible sense of speed. Sonic moves at an astounding clip, so much so that it can actually be disorienting. When the game is in its over the shoulder, third-person camera mode, the hedgehog can be difficult to control. Thankfully these sections are pretty much on rails, though you do have some freedom with left to right movement. But where the game really gets interesting, and harkens back to the classic Sonic titles that are so fondly remembered, is when it switches to a 2D, side-scrolling perspective.

Things still move incredibly fast, and the sense of scale is stunning as you find yourself jumping at incredible heights. When things go smoothly, it feels great, though at times the game does feel a little automated. But to keep Sonic moving quickly and fluidly, properly timed slides, jumps, and attacks are necessary on your part. This suggests that more difficult levels may require some memorization in order to successfully complete them.

There a few unfortunate sections that slow things down, such as an awkward platforming segment that exemplifies how poorly Sonic controls at slow speeds. The developers also made a strange decision with how to deal with long jumps, as these events are accompanied by a quick time event. In order to successfully make the jump you have to press three random buttons within a certain amount of time. It just feels really out of place. Unfortunately the demo doesn’t include the notorious were-hog segments, which was the most maligned addition to the game. But what is included does a great job of selling the game as a return to form, in terms of both look and feel. Then again, that’s what demos are for

Post from: EveryJoe

Demo Impressions: Sonic Unleashed

It’s a slow news day today, but hey, look on the bright side. That’s more time to play games! And with all of the great games flooding store shelves lately, time is something we can all use.

• Capcom will be getting their very own digital storefront on the PlayStation Store, where you can pick up the likes of Bionic Commando: Rearmed, 1942: Joint Strike, and the upcoming Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
• Speaking of Street Fighter, rumors are swirling that Street Fighter IV will have a total of 26 playable characters. Weird, considering that thegame was supposed to bring the series back to its roots.
• If you were looking forward to the upcoming Sonic Unleashed you may be disappointed to here that the PS3 version is being pushed back until December. But hey, if means we actually get a good Sonic game, I’ll be happy.
• Sure the PSp and the PS3 have lots of cool cross-functionality, but who really knows about it? Apparently, not enough people as Sony has expressed a desire to better promote the interconnectivity between the two.

Post from: EveryJoe

Today in PlayStation: November 11, 2008

Rocker Spencer Nilsen and Sega of America started something when it was decided that Sonic CD’s Japanese intro music was too weird (what’s wrong with references to leather and lace?). Everyone knows about “Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom” whether or not they’ve played Sonic CD. It was the beginning of mating cotton floss-flavoured music with a blue hedgehog.

Japanese-American band Crush 40 continued the noble tradition with its cheesy but lovable anthems for the Sonic Adventure games. There are a few solid offerings in their queue (I keep selecting Green Hill Zone as a battleground in Super Smash Bros Brawl in hopes of getting “Live and Learn”), but there are some laughable miscarriages too (”Sonic Her-oes! Sonic Her-oes! Kill me before I turn on this game!”)

Crush 40 is gone and the Good Lord only knows what Spencer Nilsen is doing with himself these days. Luckily, the E3 trailer for Sonic Unleashed reveals that some other band has stepped up to demand recognition through a video game.

This song is terrible, I feel like I’m watching Naruto. — Astute YouTube viewer Fabio254

Well, it’s no “Open Your Heart” or “Live and Learn”, but neither is it “Make Believe Reborn!” Thank God.

Anyway, what counts is the gameplay and this video has our first glimpse of were-Sonic in fighting action. Looks like the hedgehog is all about speed whereas the hedge…wolf is all about strength and rage.

We also see why Sonic is afflicted with lycanthrope mange in the first place. Oh, Eggman. You and your boyish Nazi shenanigans.

(Image copyright Sega)

Post from: EveryJoe

Sonic Unleased: Cock Rock Confirmed

This “new” trailer for Sonic Unleashed might look a bit familiar, but Sega sneaked some new footage in there. Oh those wily scamps.

The more I look at Sonic Unleashed media, the more I fear I’m getting pulled in. Once again there is a small flicker of hope in my heart. I do not like this thing you humans call hope. She is a petty, deceptive mistress. She keeps you in bondage and offers you naught but the merest morsels and trickles of water, but you cannot help but cling to her side and pant for the release she delivers when she deems you have suffered enough.

Oooh, bondage.

Really though, Sonic Unleashed looks like it might be fun. Of course, it’s in a trailer’s nature to show you the most impressive/fun part of the game (in the case of 3D Sonic games, this usually involves the first stage). What you don’t see are the subsequent levels and the endless potential for a plummeting death brought on by loose controls.

God only know what Sega plans for the game’s werewolf gimmick.

I will keep my expectations low and be happy if the game turns out well. This procedure has not failed me yet.

Post from: EveryJoe

Old-New Sonic Unleashed Trailer

Well, the title isn’t quite the tongue-twister I was hoping to make it, but I tried.

Sonic Unleashed has a new trailer up, and if there’s one thing you can say about this game even in its early stages, it’s fast.

Yeah, Sonic is kind of known for the speed thing, but…no, seriously. It’s fast.

Fast enough to watch London speed by in a blur. Fast enough to send patio furniture and shit scattering for miles. I approve of the destruction of Wal-Mart grade umbrella tables.

There’s some pretty nice scenery going on; I particularly like the bit where Sonic is grinding down a rail that’s suspended far above suburbia.

The real question is, how will it play? Will Sonic Unleashed be another Hold-Right marathon? The video promises some variety in gameplay (floating down a shaft while avoiding spiked blockades), but it might not be enough. On the other hand, it seems as if Sonic is far more dependent on simply slamming into enemies versus performing his overdone homing attack. In other words, he’s reverting to the days when he sliced through enemies with those noble azure quills of his, and no fucking around.

If Sega could lay off exploiting the Furry Brigade for this title, we might have a winner.

My fellow b5 bloggers at Seganerds sound off with their own valuable opinions.

Post from: EveryJoe

Sonic Shreds Through the Suburbs

Werewolves are awesome. They’re big hulking canines with teeth like railroad spikes. Their claws invariably glisten dark crimson under the full moon. They’re often berserk and cannot be reasoned with. I can get into that.

Other lycanthropes have emerged from the werewolf legend. If we go a piece into anime-born mythology, we have the Oozaru from Dragon Ball: Giant world-destroying monkeys that are birthed when innocent little alien boys look at the full moon. They are cool.

A were-hedgehog is…I don’t know. Someone help me with a word.

“It’s different, I’ll give you that.” — Roger Meyers Jr.

Post from: EveryJoe

Hairy Sonic Unleashed Teaser.