Sonic Unleashed
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This article or section contains information about an unreleased video game. The content may change substantially as more information becomes available. Please do not add speculation to this article, and remember to cite a published source for details. |
| Sonic Unleashed | |
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| Developer(s) | Sonic Team[1] Dimps (Wii, PS2 stage design)[2][3] |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Designer(s) | Yoshihisa Hashimoto (lead designer) |
| Engine | Hedgehog Engine[1] |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360[1] |
| Release date | INT Late 2008[1] |
| Genre(s) | Console platform game |
| Mode(s) | 2D platforming, 3D stages |
| Media | Blu-ray Disc (PS3), DVD-DL (Xbox 360/PS2), Wii Optical Disc (Wii) |
| Input methods | Wii Remote with Nunchuk/Classic Controller; GameCube Controller[4] (Wii) SIXAXIS/DualShock 3 (PS3) DualShock 2 (PS2) Xbox 360 controller (Xbox 360) |
Sonic Unleashed is an upcoming video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. The name was trademarked by Sega on March 12, 2008.[5] Screenshots of cut scenes and gameplay were posted ten days later[6] along with a video shortly after. The title was then officially confirmed on April 3,[1] with a small selection of screenshots and an updated video. The gameplay style is markedly different when compared to recent games. It will focus on two-dimensional platforming levels, displayed in 3D, as well as fast, fully-3D controllable stages. Gameplay will seamlessly transition between these two modes.[1]
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[edit] Story
Dr. Eggman is the primary antagonist for Sonic Unleashed. In this installment, he has called forth a slumbering beast from the center of the Earth[7], which causes such devastating tremors that the planet shatters into pieces; it is up to Sonic to return the seven broken continents back to normal by retrieving the Chaos Emeralds and activating their power.[1] The official press release alludes to a new twist to Sonic's abilities; unofficial screenshots, together with the official teaser trailer, indicate that Sonic's progress will be made even more difficult when he transforms into a werewolf at night. [8]
[edit] Characters
- Sonic the Hedgehog[1] / Super Sonic / Werewolf Sonic
- Doctor Eggman [1]
[edit] Gameplay
Gameplay will primarily consist of two modes: a 3D-modelled sidescroller, with two-dimensional gameplay (as found in the Sonic Rush and Sonic Rivals series), with seamless shifts to 3D. Concepts returning from past games include Sonic's trademark high-speed gameplay, as well as improved lock-on for automatically targeting and hitting enemies. Sliding across the ground also returns, but players will be able to perform new "side-step maneuvers", allowing Sonic to dodge obstacles to the left or right at high speed. Another new control mechanic, whose final implementation is still being decided upon by Sega, is "drift turns", whereby Sonic can slide around a corner.[4]
An on-screen energy meter can be filled by collecting rings, which is used to activate a temporary speed boost, during which time the camera uses a fish-eye effect and motion blur; hitting enemies and obstacles will reduce the meter.[4]
Two stages and associated gameplay have been demonstrated to journalists, and shown to the public in screenshots; these two have been dubbed "Europe" and "Greece" by the publisher.[3] A day and night system for levels will also be introduced.[4]
[edit] Development
The development of Sonic Unleashed was announced in April 2008. The game runs on Sega's "Hedgehog Engine", which has been in production for three years.[1] Unleashed was originally intended to be the third installment of the Sonic Adventure series.[9] The game is currently being developed internally by Sonic Team Japan.[10] It will be a multiplatform release on the Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and the PlayStation 2. [1]
[edit] Wii Version
The Wii version of the game will be developed specifically to take advantage of its controller's capabilities, with notable differences in gameplay, and with different levels created specifically for this version.[11] Dimps will be involved with designing the daytime stages for this and the PS2 version.[3] The game will use the Wii Remote and/or Nunchuck option, and will also support the GameCube controller; Sega is also adding the option of using the Classic Controller.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Sega Europe (2008-03-04). "SONIC IS UNLEASHED!". Press release. Retrieved on 2008-04-13.
- ^ "Sonic the Hedgehog Unleashed" . Play Magazine. “Sonic Team is managing the Wii development, but the coding and some of the design is being handled by some of our external partners in Japan. Fans of Sonic Rush and Sonic Adventure will be pleased to hear that Dimps is involved in designing the Wii stages!”
- ^ a b c Matt Casamassina. IGN: Sonic Unleashed Preview. “..software house Dimps is providing backup support with daytime level designs for the Wii and PS2 versions.”
- ^ a b c d Matt Casamassina. "IGN: Sonic Unleashed Preview (page 2).
- ^ McWhertor, Michael (2008-03-12). Sonic Unleashed Trademarked By Sega. Kotaku. Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
- ^ SEGA ON. EXKLUSIV: Sonic Unleashed Artwork. Retrieved on March 22.
- ^ Sega US. SONIC UNLEASHED: GAME INFO. Retrieved on 2008-06-07.
- ^ Robinson, Andy (2008-04-09). Sonic Unleashed "has no relation" to Sonic 360/PS3. Official Nintendo Magazine. Computer and Video Games. Retrieved on 2008-04-13.
- ^ "Unleash the Beast" . Official Nintendo Magazine (29): pp. 37. Future US. “With Sonic Unleashed being developed internally by Sonic Team Japan (no matter what you might heard elsewhere about the game being spread across American and European development teams)...”
- ^ Thomason, Steve. "Return to Form". Nintendo Power volume 229 (June 2008): p. 12. Future US. “First, the gameplay will be changed, tuned, and balanced specifically for the Wii," says Patrick Riley, the game's producer at Sega of America. "Secondly, the levels will be different, designed specifically for the Wii version.”
[edit] External links
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