Threads
- Sonic Unleashed was ahead of the curve in 2008 and deserves another chance.
- Fans want to see the game return, and Sega is also interested in fulfilling fan demand, setting the stage for a re-release.
- A remaster could fix the technical issues and address the Werehog criticisms.
Sonic has gone through a renaissance of sorts in recent years. Looking at the series today, it’s hard to believe how Sega managed to bounce back after the painfully mediocre Sonic Forces almost became the final nail in this series’ coffin.
Thanks to the fresh approach of Sonic Frontiers and nostalgic callbacks like Sonic Mania, everyone’s favorite blue hedgehog is back in all his glory. The series’ current popularity has even opened up opportunities for remasters and remakes, evident by the recent success of Sonic X Shadow Generations.
There’s plenty of variety to pick from when considering games to revisit, but fans clearly want to see one title returning above all else, and I agree. In my opinion, Sonic Unleashed should be next to receive a remaster.
Why it matters: Remasters are all the rage today, and the trend will only become more popular in the next few years.
Nailing The 3D Gameplay
Sonic Unleashed personifies everything I truly love and appreciate about this series’ 3D boost gameplay, a formula that was coined and practically perfected by Sega on the first attempt.
Facing the herculean task of following up on the abysmal Sonic 06, Sonic Unleashed knocked the core gameplay out of the park. Gone were the awkward controls, clunky movements, and downright hilarious bugs of Sonic 06, and instead, everyone’s favorite blue hedgehog became a force of nature with speeds that would make The Flash jealous.
It can’t be overstated just how good this entry still feels to play. It nailed the satisfaction of kicking into max gear and blowing past waves of enemies in one seamless boost streak.
The strong level design only helped make the 3D gameplay all the more memorable. Whether it be the sandy roads of Savannah Citadel or the urban vibe of Skyscraper Scamper, the game had no shortage of exciting and memorable stages for the blue hedgehog to whiz by.
Is Sonic Unleashed the best 3D Sonic game ever made?
byu/EdogawaConan2 inSonicTheHedgehog
I also loved the impressive sense of scale in many of these levels.
For instance, Skyscraper Scamper had you going from rooftop to rooftop, traversing rails through busy highways, and speeding past a massive bridge over a vast ocean to wrap things up.
Meanwhile, the stage featured pedestrian vehicles going about their routines and a massive airship to add additional depth to the background. Small details like these were far from rare in Sonic Unleashed, even if it was all too easy to miss them.
This very attention to detail made the game a cut above the rest for me. Simply put, the experience was pure bliss for both new and old fans. Let’s also not forget how ambitious of a production this game was, something that was made clear from the film-like CGI opening cutscene.
The Case For A Remaster
I would love to see Sega remaster Sonic Unleashed and bring it to PC, do you think it'll ever happen?
byu/realCarlyLIVE inSonicTheHedgehog
Sonic Unleashed is perhaps the one game in this series fans can’t stop gushing over. Yet, for all this praise and nostalgia, it’s no easy task to revisit the title in all its glory.
For starters, Sega never released a PC port. Emulation isn’t much help either, with both RPCS3 and Xenia being hit or miss here. Making matters worse, the game never ran too well on the Xbox 360 and PS3.
Go back, and you’ll be shocked by all the frame drops that accompany the blue hedgehog’s dazzling display of speed on these consoles. Sonic Unleashed is best played at 60FPS through backward compatibility on the Xbox Series S|X today, but this still leaves out the huge audiences of PC and PS5 without much of a choice.
Stumble upon any Sonic discussion, and you’ll find plenty of fans rallying for a more polished re-release. Perhaps the biggest reason to remaster the game is to address the controversial Werehog gameplay of the night stages.
Sega’s take on beat-em-up gameplay was easily my least favorite part of Sonic Unleashed. Personally, I always found the combat stiff, the platforming mundane, and the overall premise of these stages unappealing.
They were passable at best but downright sleep-inducing at worst. However, a remaster could allow the team to iron out many of the problems with the Werehog segments.
Fingers Crossed For The Future
Though the situation may seem bleak for now, Sega’s latest experiment with remasters has been a standout success. Sonic X Shadow Generations sold 1 million units mere hours after its release, setting the stage for similar remasters in the future.
The topic of Sonic Unleashed has also been brought up in the past, so it’s not like Sega isn’t aware of the demand. Here’s hoping the team can finally realize the true potential of this iconic title with a major re-release soon.
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[News Reporter]
Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than three years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.
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