Sonic Unleashed officially announced, slated for Holiday 2008
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Apr 3rd 2008 at 1:15PM }
Developed by the "renowned" Sonic Team, Sonic Unleashed promises a return to the blazing blue mammal's roots in "an unforgettable high-speed journey around the globe." Set for release on the Xbox, PlayStation 3, Wii and PlayStation 2, the game ditches low-tech blast processing for the "Hedgehog Engine," which "introduces seamless 3D to classic 2D camera transitions, whilst delivering a rich and expansive world with multiple paths to choose from." It certainly sounds like we're taking a step in the right direction, but given our previous next-gen brush with Sonic, we're not convinced we won't just clip right through the floor and fall out of the level.
Sega further notes that Sonic is faced with an "unusual situation" this time around, with gameplay changing from day to night (must be the wolf thing) and "combat fighting" becoming possible. We'll learn more about what exactly that means closer to the game's late 2008 release. (For now, watch the trailer -- posted after the break.)
Gallery: Sonic Unleashed
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Worst Review Ever @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:21PM
"Sega further notes that Sonic is faced with an "unusual situation" this time around..."
You know, as opposed to the usual down-to-earth, practical situations that Sonic games normally revolve around.
J.Goodwin @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:17PM
Hopefully it will be a meaningful addition, like the time travel in CD.
D_Average @ Apr 3rd 2008 5:26PM
Sonic....overrated in 93, still overrated today.
samfish @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:21PM
I know I'm going to probably be let down, but I'm still excited.
I just never learn.
Curtis the Claw: Brawl Code 1075-0441-3284 @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:23PM
Me to...I'm trying to convince myself to not buy this game if there is anything else remotely good that comes out the same day.
Cesaria (SSBB: 3136-6466-5083) @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:40PM
I like the new Daisy avatar. Sexy.
DP @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:04PM
Yea dude, what are you doing, you draw them?
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:09PM
Nice try, but he'll never reveal his source.
REUYL @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:11PM
Hint: his source starts with a "4"...
samfish @ Apr 3rd 2008 3:09PM
4Chan does not have a green background, though.
John Z @ Apr 3rd 2008 3:16PM
Well, if you ask really, REALLY nicely... he still won't tell you. :)
And yeah, Sega continues their abusive relationship towards me. I know I should leave when they drop stuff like Sonic Riders, but there is one thing about this that looks quite promising: Sonic is on the GOD DAMNED GROUND. No more stages hundreds of miles in the air. That alone makes me want to check it out.
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Apr 3rd 2008 4:09PM
@samfish
Out of context, your comment sounds very wrong, yet it feels so right. XD
ssuk @ Apr 3rd 2008 6:12PM
http://www.aerisdies.com/ (NOT EVEN REMOTELY SAFE FOR WORK.)
Lalalala~
Fatass of Kickassness @ Apr 3rd 2008 6:41PM
Aerisdies ftl. Now, Hentaipalm Forums, THAT'S a good resource. Um, or so a friend tells me.
rTwelve @ Apr 3rd 2008 7:06PM
spoiler: rule34.paheal.net
(that's about as safe for work as a large fire)
Delgado @ Apr 3rd 2008 8:24PM
Great, this is what Joystiq has descended into.
Next, you guys are going to bring out the furries.
MortifiedocAlot @ Apr 3rd 2008 10:02PM
"Hint: his source starts with a "4"..."
PROMOTIONS.
As for the sonic game, it looks like they are actually bringing back some original sonic (2d scenes, non of this mecha driving or object collecting) game play.
Mr.ESC @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:22PM
Must Pre-Order Now! Sega must live on!
Mr.ESC @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:25PM
Sonic Engine huh I hope this game results being a huge success maybe then Sonic Team will make a new Ristar and Vectorman.
xFenixKnightx @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:28PM
Vectorman was Teh Hawtness!!!
StrangeBum @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:14PM
Fuck yeah! Vectorman kicked some ass! One of the first games I ever picked up for the Genesis back in the day.
Lol, I remember after I was through with my genesis stuff I took it all down to an EBGames (were they around back then?) or some other trade-in place and I traded it all in for some credit and purchased games like Lost Vikings for the SNES.
Man, I miss being young, playing video games almost non-stop. If only work didn't hinder that these days.
xFenixKnightx @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:21PM
Oh I feel you Strangebum, I feel you.
Yourself @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:31PM
Man Lost Vikings is so much better than any game ever released for Genesis. Except maybe SoR2. I won't even start on Sonic, but Vectorman is one of those games whose cult following I never got. Everyone I know who had a Genesis as a kid and used to talk that game up to hell now hates it.
I have historically hated Sonic, but the Rush games almost convinced me otherwise. If this is anything like them, that could be awesome news. "Combat fighting" doesn't sound good though, I remember when there was a Sonic game with "Battle" in the name...
RDX @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:24PM
I am thoroughly surprised that no one has said, "OMG! Sega is totally ripping off Zelda!!1 Lolhahaomg!"
I'm very glad to see we all have more tact than that. Now feel free to copy and paste my ridiculous statement in a response. I know it will happen.
Curtis the Claw: Brawl Code 1075-0441-3284 @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:27PM
No one is saying it, but we are all thinking it.
Mr.ESC @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:27PM
am thoroughly surprised that no one has said, "OMG! Sega is totally ripping off Zelda!!1 Lolhahaomg!"
Only if Jeff gives this game 8.8 as well.
John @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:09PM
No one is saying it but 2pStart drew it.
http://www.2pstart.com/2008/03/26/wheel-of-fate/
Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 3rd 2008 3:49PM
IUf anyone is thinking it, they're fucking retarded. Because you caught shit if you drew parralels from Twilight Princess to Okami. And let's not forget Sega isn't exactly a virgin to the whole werewolf theme...
RDX @ Apr 3rd 2008 3:52PM
Grrr! Angry voice!!!
Chill.
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Apr 3rd 2008 4:15PM
Thats because Twilight princess was in development long before even Okami was in development.
baby sea tuna @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:25PM
I don't see the words "DS" or "Bioware" anywhere up there and therefore I don't care.
StrangeBum @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:34PM
Lol!
Same thing I thought too, from what little bits of that I've seen so far, it looks great. And I honestly don't think Sonic is a bad choice for an RPG style game either.
=)
xFenixKnightx @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:27PM
"Set for release on the Xbox, PlayStation 3, Wii and PlayStation 2"
This is never a good thing unless its Rockband, Guitar Hero or Madden. FUCK! Nothing against PS2 or the Wii-only owners but I wish it was just being dev for PS3 and 360. =( Just with the last Sonic game demo on LIVE it made me not want to buy it. It was horrible!
Let us pray.
Worst Review Ever @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:40PM
Why do you wish it was being developed only for the 360 and PS3? Didn't that happen with the last Sonic game? If I recall correctly, the results were disastrous. Meanwhile, the Wii-only Sonic and the Secret Rings garnered respectable sales and ratings. Maybe you should pray for another Wii exclusive.
Cesaria (SSBB: 3136-6466-5083) @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:42PM
I wish YOU were only being developed for PS3 or 360.
xFenixKnightx @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:49PM
Pwned? =(
Sorry! Sorry for wanting a GREAT Sonic game back in my life.
(Burts into tears)
Yourself @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:41PM
The only people that get screwed with a game being developed for those four consoles is the people looking for the game on Wii. Because this is how it goes:
"Hey, let's develop a cool game for the next-gen consoles."
"Well we can't release a game that isn't in HD for 360 and PS3, so we're going to have to find a completely different development studio to make a completely different game with the same name for Wii. And actually, people don't have any expectations for Wii graphics, so why don't we just dumb it down to PS2 level and release it there, too!"
"Well that's pretty fucking brilliant, eh? Now all we have to do is find a nobody dev whose only experience is in movie tie-ins and kids games to make that Wii/PS2 version!"
Only for a Sonic game, instead of "Hey, let's develop a cool game," it starts with "Hey, let's rape and beat a dead horse"
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:28PM
Color me optimistic.
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:45PM
I will say though, that if this game tanks as bad as the last ones, Sonic needs to be buried.
Its no good poking his corpse with cattle prods trying to make him live again.
dabamf @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:32PM
At least the Sonic games can't get any worse...can they?
Tiptup300 @ Apr 3rd 2008 8:19PM
If they get longer loading screens they can.
paragraph @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:33PM
I'm making a note here: Massive Disappointment
:\
I'm cautiously pessimistic... i want it to work, but the entire thing sounds like death for Sega...
*sigh*
*goes back to petting his 32X* I'm not moving up until i get my $150 worth out of this thing!
your not a failure sega... you're ahead of your time ;)
jroberts @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:46PM
If they release GTZ IV for the 32X, you'll be all set!
As for Sonic, I think he and Knuckles had their last great foray with the Dreamcast =( As apparently did 'Skies of Arcadia', double =(
Jody Anthony (cookingrebels.com) @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:35PM
because I never learn my lesson, I will be there day one.
Markez @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:36PM
Hmmm... I, well... I mean, Secret of the Rings was decent. I wasn't expecting that, I enjoyed it. But really, it still wasn't that great. The video I saw on another certain website looked good, and dammit, now I'll likely give this a shot when it comes out. Le sigh.
Phranctoast @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:37PM
Hopefully Sonic can use "the Force" in this next installment.
Mr.ESC @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:43PM
Spoilers: Sonic is the real Dark Vader Padawan.
xFenixKnightx @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:39PM
Im hoping for revamped music. I downloaded the SEGA Superstars Tennis game on PSN the other day and damn how many times can they remix that fricken music. Its old and tired already. Sure it worked for Sonic Adventure on Dreamcast (which was last Sonic I loved) but give it a rest.
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:46PM
Sonic Adventure and 1/3rd of adventure 2 had great soundtracks.
Markez @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:47PM
Chris Tucker as the voice of Sonic.