So I played Sonic Unleashed and decided to start with the PS2 version. And I am pleased to say that I enjoyed what I saw. Despite being "inferior" to the Wii version in terms of visuals, I enjoyed how it looks - it is one of those very late backward-ported PS2 titles from the time when people already knew hardware well enough to make pleasant environments and a nice overall picture. If you start to look very closely into actual game assets, you will see very low poly and low-resolution horrors, but from afar, as a whole, it transforms into more than its parts.
Regarding gameplay, it was the first major step towards the sonic we know today, with more forced events and more narrow levels, boosts, and other moves. However, this title in particular works for me much better than for example Forces or Generations gameplay-wise. PS2/Wii "Day" levels while strict and linear feel more open and free just because of their size and appearance. I find the segmented boost mechanic to be more interesting and complex than just regular "boost", I liked some new moves, some of which, I believe, are Unleashed-exclusive, like the animation of Sonic slowly crawling on its 4 legs, etc. Most Werehog levels are decent too, the downside is that actual combat in them is "press square to win" and it never gets complicated enough to be a problem just smashing everything. Burning wizards and electric flying things are rare exceptions. And since Werehog levels are long, you don't want to replay them. Especially ones with some boring platforming.
Regarding plot - yes, it's more cartoony, and I prefer the world from things like Sonic 06, Sonic Adventure 2, Shadow the Hedgehog (2005), or Sonic X, than Western-style cartoon presentation. But unlike the mentioned above games, this plot, even in this "cut down" version with 2D towns and characters delivered much better, and it is much longer and competently made. Compared to this, again, Forces or Generations feel so empty and shallow in this regard.
One day I will play the PS3/Xbox360 version and the J2ME version, but for now, I'd say that the PS2/Wii version is worth your time.
Regarding gameplay, it was the first major step towards the sonic we know today, with more forced events and more narrow levels, boosts, and other moves. However, this title in particular works for me much better than for example Forces or Generations gameplay-wise. PS2/Wii "Day" levels while strict and linear feel more open and free just because of their size and appearance. I find the segmented boost mechanic to be more interesting and complex than just regular "boost", I liked some new moves, some of which, I believe, are Unleashed-exclusive, like the animation of Sonic slowly crawling on its 4 legs, etc. Most Werehog levels are decent too, the downside is that actual combat in them is "press square to win" and it never gets complicated enough to be a problem just smashing everything. Burning wizards and electric flying things are rare exceptions. And since Werehog levels are long, you don't want to replay them. Especially ones with some boring platforming.
Regarding plot - yes, it's more cartoony, and I prefer the world from things like Sonic 06, Sonic Adventure 2, Shadow the Hedgehog (2005), or Sonic X, than Western-style cartoon presentation. But unlike the mentioned above games, this plot, even in this "cut down" version with 2D towns and characters delivered much better, and it is much longer and competently made. Compared to this, again, Forces or Generations feel so empty and shallow in this regard.
One day I will play the PS3/Xbox360 version and the J2ME version, but for now, I'd say that the PS2/Wii version is worth your time.
RedBackLoggd
5 months ago