Continuing the endless battle between hedgehog and mad scientist, Sonic Unleashed is, unleashed with blast of Dr. Eggman ray weapon that taints the power of the Chaos Emeralds and transforms our prickly hero into a Werehog. Eggman subsequently uses the power of the tainted emeralds to unleash the mighty Dark Gaia from the Earth’s core, shattering our fair orb into fragments in the process. Sonic’s game quest is to reform fractured planet, crack the Eggman, and address his new found body-hair issues.

Why Sonic turns into a Werehog is never intelligibly explained, but as the beast he possesses greater strength and new abilities, albeit only at night. Some traditional Sonic game qualities do remain (the stretches of high speed side scrolling esque action) but Unleashed doesn’t allow Sonic to utilize his trademark speed whenever he’s in Werehog form. Instead, Sonic reveals his new wild side when he dispatches enemies with powerful and upgradeable attacks using his massive claws. Stretchable Were-arms allow him to traverse the nighttime levels by climbing and swinging form poles or by reaching distant ledges. It is limiting, however, that the camera can’t be panned to scan for enemies in surrounding areas.

Despite Sonic new persona, the game is an evolution of the old Genesis game formula: speed as Sonic through rollercoaster-type segments (or lumber as the Werehog through enemy-populated towns) followed by a boss fight. The problem is that while portions of Unleashed are entertaining, the two styles never meld into a cohesive new experience. Traditionally will enjoy the well-executed speed based sections while bristling at the more deliberate Werehog segments, but new-comers and those who’ve tried of the classic formula may welcome the notion of an old hog that’s learned new tricks.

[via IGN]