What Made Sonic Unleashed So Great 

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The Opening Cutscene of Unleashed is literally a masterpiece. It has that cartoon-but-yet-still-realistic-ish feeling. Even a pinch of anime.

Nowadays I really can't help but respect the sheer audacity of the Werehog as a concept, I think there's an appeal there in how flagrantly hokey it is.

I think Sonic could be in a much better place these days if people showed this amount of love to games like Unleashed back when they were released, instead of pretty much just blindly hating it because it was Sonic.

I remember playing this on the 360, after the 360 got destroyed I found a copy for the ps2 and it was great for an old generation console.

Unleashed is easily the most underrated game in the franchise and one of my personal favorites

I like how you used clips from Sonic Generation's Unleashed Project Mod

"The lair of the beast. The den of evil. The epicenter of ecological destruction!" Ah how I love Bentley's commentary. He always seemed to know just what to say at any given time and this comment when you pic Jean Bison's cabin is a prime example.

If they made a remastered version it would be the best game ever

something notable about the hub of different countries. This is done differently on PS2 as an old school, still-imgaged dialogue screen. Guess PS2 lacked the power to maintain frames or something. Certainly not a 60 fps experience.

I liked the Werehog game play. There's definitely room to improve the mechanics. But the idea behind it is great and the execution was a solid 'B'. The day stages were 'A'. The Super Sonic stage was a straight 'E'.

Let’s go!!! Excited to hear what you think about this game. I’ve always thought it caught too much flack for the werehog levels. I think they are a lil button mashy but they didn’t ruin the game for me. The graphics look amazing and the Sonic stages were fast and well designed

I can't forgive IGN for giving Sonic FORCES a higher rating than Unleashed.

Chip leaves Sonic that special ring and begs to never forget him. In later Sonic Games, he's never seen with it on ever again.

?! I never realized it's Orbot controlling stage robots. That's awesome. And thanks for bringing up the importance of beefy soundeffects for satisfying combat. A detail i don't see brought up much.

The Werehog Battle theme has been my alarm for almost 3 years now

For those who don’t understand why the Werehog has stretchy arms, it’s because Dark Gaia’s minions also stretch in a way. Just not nearly as much as the Werehog does.

I've seen few people who actually like the night stages

This is my personal favorite game of all time.

Man Endless Possibility is one of my all time favorite sonic songs. So inspirational and epic. Literally saves lives.

I think something that should've been mentioned is that Dark Gaia looks terrifying. Especially when it goes into Perfect Dark Gaia and it rips its body apart with blood spilling. Like okay Sega.

I still don’t understand why Sonic Unleashed is NOW getting praise, when it should have, since the beginning.

Unleashed has always been solid but you can definitely see where Sonic team struggles with trying to get in game length, the pacing is just not good especially if you're not aware of the sun and moon medals going in. The Werehog was terrible in concept but it was fine in execution (there are better character actions games but there's also a lot worse). While it did mark the beginning of a few problematic trends in where Sonic was going forward like with how they would handle the supporting cast, Unleashed was still a solid game.

Can we all agree that regardless of what you think of the Werehog (I actually like the Werehog gameplay), Unleashed is the last time Sega genuinely gave a fuck? It's obvious from the way it looks that they poured a ton of money and talent into it. The story is actually okay without any nostalgia glasses. The voice acting is way improved over before, this is Jason Griffith's finest hour as Sonic. The game is still gorgeous to look at and they had an entire new engine and new playstyle developed just for this one. Compare it to later games, even the good ones, it's obvious that none of them, not even Generations, had such high production values. Let alone drivel like Forces.

Anybody notice that they were able to make the graphics of this game phenomenal, even for a game made in 2008?!?

Fantastic review as always! Your Sonic reviews are really entertaining and are much appreciated, as it is a lot of fun to go back and revisit the franchise. Great work!

NGL, the 4Kids cast was at their absolute best in this game, especially Jason Griffith as Sonic.

Finally, now I can die in peace

"It was 2009 and I was in the third grade" - So this is what it feel like to have become old.

I would like to say a few things: I believe that this game is a great contender for the best 3D sonic game. The werehog is not the make or break for this game. It’s a controversial topic but it’s only downfall in the werehog’s existence is, in my opinion, how lengthy some of the levels can be. This game is easily one of the most difficult as practice makes perfect for each level. Finally, this game has the best world building. That is an opinion that no one can change for me.

"The lair of the beast, the dead of evil, the epicenter of ecological destruction!" -Bentley from Sly Cooper I got the reference gimmie dat heart.

As much as I love Generations I can’t deny how great Unleashed is This game along with Colors gave people hope that Sonic can be good again after what happened 06 and It really shows

Unleashed and SA2, the two most influential Sonic games to me

I saw an comment about a guy unfairly shiting on Sonic games without even play it first. Someone replied: You don't have to shiting on it without playing it. And then he replies: l don't need to enter into a sewer to know if it smells. I think that sums up every hater for every media.

"so you think the werehog stages are fun and enjoyable?" "I do. and I'm tired of pretending they're not."

One of the best looking sonic designs now already like 13-15 years old and forces couldn’t even get him right

About the humans in Unleashed, all I wanted was to see a scene with a human using a Spring or another item to fully sell this as a world

wasn't Orbot called SA-55 in this game, like as in Sass, with how much sass he gives Eggman in this game

I've never seen a video THIS positive about Sonic Unleashed. Most of the time, people either say they love the Day gameplay and hate the Night gameplay or they enjoy the Night gameplay and have issues with the Day gameplay. I'm so happy to see someone love this game as much as I do! Great game, great video 👍🏻

are you playing on a series x? this is some of the best fps footage of adabat i’ve ever seen!!

This game’s soundtrack was on another level

You're becoming just like TheGamingBritShow for referencing DMC in other game reviews and I'm all for it.

A few years back I played Unleashed on PS3 and I think tone wise it’s the best at finding that happy medium between anime melodrama and idiotic jokes. The werehog is just there and does feel like something they did to pad the game out but the scope and tone are excellent.

Sonic Unleashed is one of the games that made childhood better. I remember when I was 9 or so I taught myself to wake up very early so I’d have an extra hour to play this game before going to extracurricular classes, and trying to finish homework as fast as I could so I could play it before going to bed. I feel that if I were to play unleashed now, I’d still have plenty of fun, beyond the nice feelings nostalgia brings. However, the memories this game brings are also bittersweet because the day I finished the game was also the day my grandfather passed away. I was still very high from the emotions of pride and happiness for finishing the game, then a few hours later I received the news my grandpa died and all those nice feelings came crushing down. Even thinking about this game makes my eyes wet, I guess because unleashed will always take me to the memory lane of that day.

It's Good to see Sonic Unleashed Get some love. I really loved this game growing up as a kid.

I’m glad the generation that actually played and loved this game, finally lets their voices be heard. The terrible reviews just gave low reviews just because the weirdness of the werehog, really hurt the franchise creatively

Sonic Unleashed is so underrated, it's the best boost game by far imo

Unleashed is probably my second favorite Sonic game behind SA2. Solid video.

"But it's not the unleashed experience you know? no werehog, no hub worlds" Somecallmejohnny - I see this as an absolute win

The time Sonic fought a demon monster from hell as a super sayian & werewolf with a Power Rangers Megazord on his side in a lava cave. The most epic Sonic storyline. The Meta Era won't ever reach the level of epicness.

Personally, this is my most favourite Sonic game. Quite a controversial pick as well. It’s not the best Sonic game ever, nor is it the worst.

I’m glad to see this game is getting some love. I got this game when it first came out I’m 2008 and both reviewers and gamers alike kept talking about how bad it was. Now all of a sudden 13 years later people started looking back at the game and are now saying how good it is.

This game reminds me of the time that Sonic Team actually gave a shit about what they were making. Good times, good times.

I absolutely LOVED unleashed... no joke, i got it at launch for the 360 and played it non-stop for weeks. 100%ing the achievements and everything... i genuinely loved playing it and enjoyed it from start to finish

Glad we're not pretending to hate this game because the older guys said it was bad anymore

Unleashed's day time stages were absolute insanity! The way they created a sense of speed was just incredible. The night stages were good for the first few but then just got way too repetitive and tedious.

This was a really good review. I've always thought Unleashed got more criticism than it deserved and I feel a lot of that came from it just being the game that happened to follow 06. That doesn't magically remove its actual flaws like pacing, handling being a tad clunky at times etc. but it's something to think about.

Haven't played Unleashed but the voice acting really is pleasing to my ears. Amy Palant has improved considerably as Tails, Lisa Ortiz as Amy and Mike Pollock as Eggman are as great as ever and Jason Griffith has finally nailed his Sonic voice which I love so much. He just has this really natural sound to it.

POV: your looking through the comments to find a bad take

While 06 was an end of an era for sonic, Unleashed has always been the last truly ambitious Sonic game. Every game that came after plays it so safe with the writing in particular nosediving off a cliff. This was the Last Sonic game to take its premise even remotely serious. Not necessarily meaning the tone was serious, but rather that it felt genuine. It knew it was a sonic game and held its head high. Nowadays, Sonic games are so self-deprecating that it feels like Sonic himself hates being in the game.

The graphics and different locations made it so interesting, if only they added more characters and story it woulda been the best

I’m Glad another person Appreciates the Werehog Stages bc I thought they were pretty good. They were basically a chill beat em up Platformer to contrast with the Boost Gameplay and I thought that was a great mix

A guide to how to have a great time with Sonic Unleashed: 1. Explore the level dicckhead, Sonic was never only about speed, treat it like it's Sonic 3K and get those Sun and Moon medals. This applies to the hubworlds aswell 2. Focus on leveling up the "combo" attribute on the werehog, which will unlock new attacks and make the combat go from a drag to actually really cool 3. Speaking of the werehog, actually learn what he fucking does before saying he is too slow. Lots to talk about 4. Talk to the townspeople! They're are not like Sonic 06! They're interesting! Their missions are cool and some have Sun/Moon medals! 5. Use the shops! The food here gets you exp and allows you to level up faster. 6. Speaking of shops, be a completionist! There are about 234676796 collectibles on the game and some of them are in the shops! The game has a lot of content. I really like the game

If you're going to play Unleashed, the series X is likely your best option because it allows you to raise the frame rate to 60 with fps boost.

When I was younger I started listening to Sonic takes from people like SomeCallmeJohnny and Cobanermani456 and I started to get really interested in the franchise, but the bigger more needlessly critical voices got louder and they sort of pulled me away and made me doubt myself. But now that I’m older I can look at the series more critically as art and be open to different viewpoints and have the confidence in myself to be able to form my own opinions based off of watching videos like these. It’s so wonderful to hear your perspective because it’s unique and something you clearly care a lot more about than the 100th person to argue Sonic 06 is bad. It’s so nice to have someone like you validating what I’ve felt deep down for so long about not just Sonic but video games in general, which is that they’re ART and that they should try to have stakes and atmosphere and a vision for something more than its gameplay. Taking risks and pushing boundaries is how you move a series forward even if you make mistakes along the way, and we shouldn’t spend so much time complaining about those mistakes.

I'm not a fan of this game but I'm definitely glad it exists because it led to games that not only most sonic fans can enjoy but games most gamers can enjoy.

So glad to see Unleashed getting the appreciation it deserves. This, along with Sonic Colors, Generations, Episode 1 and 2, and the Adventure games are the best. The werehog gameplay is actually fun once you get used to the combos and it gets way too much hate, the story is just perfection from Sonic and Chip’s friendship to Eggman’s plan, to pretty much everything. Even as a child, during that ending scene, I actually cried, wanting Chip to come back.

I remember playing the Wii version as a kid. I was never able to get past the night jungle levels, though.

its crazy to think this game will be 20 years old in just 4 years

With Unleashed, there's those little subtle moments you can see whenever you look closely that tie into the experience - From the Egg Dragoon's attack patterns refrencing prior bosses, to how when first getting transformed into the werehog in the opening cutscene, Dark Gaia's movements when tearing up the world and awakening match Sonic's as he's turning into the werehog. I love these little storytelling details

To quote Thanos from Endgame to the fans who hate Unleashed but now love it: “Perhaps I treated you too harshly...”

Man, I remember watching the trailers showcasing each stage. I knew Jungle Joyride was gonna be my favorite. Playing the game today holds up and after my exposure to JoJo's Bizarre Adventures, I really appreciate the Ora Ora Punches you can do as the Werehog. 7:46 I never noticed Eggman's face on the tea kettle XD

Only reason people don’t like this game is because they don’t think Sonic should step away from his boundaries and roots every now and again and should just stick to running loopdeloops over and over and over, they don’t want anything different yet complain about there being no versatility 🙄 in short, Sonic fans don’t know what they want

My only gripe with this game is that the Werehog could've been easily replaced by Knuckles. Call it Sonic & Knuckles 2 and the reception would've been much better.

He likes SA1, SA2, Heroes, and even 06, with Unleashed in there he loves it too. This guy is the perfect Sonic fan change my mind

Unleashed is such a masterpiece

Sonic's 30th title: Sonic Unleashed HD Remastered Battle Definitive DX Edition & Knuckles. Only on SEGA Dreamcast. I wouldn't even be mad if it was true.

41:45 - Then came the fantastic news that Unleashed got the beautiful 60fps update! All we need now is a generous PC Steam port that keeps that amazing performance...

Jason Griffith, hands down, the best Sonic voice actor. I can laugh at his snarky remarks as Sonic than Rodger Craig Smith, Rodger just doesn’t sound as fun, he’s just boring, every time I hear him as Sonic, I just go 😒. Jason Griffith is way better, but I’ll applaud Ryan Drummond in Adventure 1 & 2.

Chip is love... Chip is life... I’m sorry but he’s so adorable.

Sonic Unleashed is not only my favorite Sonic game ever, but one of my all time favorite games. The graphics, the gameplay and the soundtracks just sticks! Also, for anyone who didn't buy the adventure pack DLC, I totally recommend it for anyone up for the challenge.

I was born in the mid-2000s and even I feel like an old geezer. Trends come and go way too quickly.

A masterpiece of the highest order. I've been annoyed at the bad review scores for 14 years now, probably longer than some people in this comment section have been alive.

That reference was kinda *Sly* of you to pull off. Gimme that heart.

Was so worried you hated Unleashed after the E ranked music fron the last review, thank god, I love Sonic Unleashed, Rooftop Run day is the highest high of the entire series imo.

Unleashed will forever be my favorite sonic game, from the gameplay to the music and the story.

Js with the sponsor! Get that bread! Btw excellent video 😁

You know actually when talking about the werehog's combat, I felt a lot of Yakuza Vibes from it as well. Especially with the whole unleashed thing kinda like a heat mode like in the Yakuza games, the whole combo system itself and how it is focused on hits and killing enemies as fast as possible, the variety of moves. They are both SEGA properties (Sonic Unleashed and the Yakuza games) so it would make some sense but I'm also an idiot and have been doing nothing but playing the yakuza games back to back for the first time so take what I said with a grain of salt.

5:38 nah nah nah nah nah, not 2008 standards. Right fucking now standards, that shit is *still* grade A movie quality

41:22 this makes me wish the PS5 was backwards compatible with PS3 games, because then we would finally have a version of Unleashed that runs at a capped 60fps.

what they need to do is to have 2 or 3 different states of sonics speed. For instance... when u doing platform sonic is in gear 1 and is easy to control... and gear 2 and 3 are used while speedrunning... activaded by holding down the trigger buttons. It seems so simple to fix the control that has plaguad 3d sonic games for generations now.

Sonic unleashed and black knight were the last games to have truly great stories not counting the sonic movie and mania. The Werehog is underrated only problem I have is that while the ending is climax Eggman Land and Dark Gaia were god awful

the "the epicenter of ecological destruction" is a reference to Sly Cooper, right? Bentley says that about Jean Bison house! But it fits soooooo well with eggman, especially when you remember one of the sonic cartoons where eggman’s goal was to pollute the world, eggman in the first comics also had this goal.

you think about it, sonic isn’t doing all that bad anymore. you‘ve got a sonic 2 movie, 2 new games and a new netflix series.

This channel is a fair sonic critique channel and I like it

Not gonna lie. Sonic unleashed was the last mainline Sonic game i loved and made me feel satisfied when i finished it. Its easily in my top 3 (Possibly 2nd) favorite Sonic games.

What the fuck

I liked the video a lot and i ended up watching the whole thing! Lol

3:11 This made me realized the appeal of modern sonic is not speed... is reaction & reflexes. Games like Crash Bandicoot Time Trials can take the speed issue better, even at the cost of senseless memorizing of levels.

Okay 3 things: 1. Excellent review - so nice to hear someone say positive things about werehog stages for a change (they were actually my favourite part of Unleashed because it was something new). 2. Also finally good to hear someone else be bold enough to say that Jason Griffith is the best English Sonic. No one else has come quite so close to Junnichi Kanemaru's Sonic. 3. Don't stop doing these long-format reviews - they are really well done, and entertaining