GC 2008: Sonic Unleashed - not looking great, according to IGN
Posted by Graham. Filed under Europe, G, Microsoft Xbox 360, Multi-platform, News, Nintendo Wii, Sonic, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3. Tagged with event, Exhibition, Games Convention, Leipzig, Sonic Unleashed.
~Click for larger image~Â
Easily one of the most anticipated Sega games coming this year is Sonic Unleashed. We have all sat back and watched some very pretty trailers, looked at some lovely high-res screens of the game, and I think most people can say that it looks like it is shaping up to be a good Sonic game (finally!). But there is the niggling problem of the Were-hog, which seems to have torn many gamers.Â
Perhaps it would have been safer/smarter for Sega to just keep Sonic as the one and only playable character (in his ‘normal’ blue hedgehog form). But what’s done is done, so we all have to wait with baited breath, until the game is finally released.
Sega has released another load of lovely looking screens from the game (after the break), which look just as good as always - I am loving some of the colours and lighting effects on the night levels. But while the game looks good in the still images and trailers we have seen, apparently it doesn’t play quite so well, according to a recent hands-on impression by IGN:
“On the one hand, it’s got great sense of speed, really sharp visuals, and gameplay that’s clearly a throwback to the style of design that actually works for the quick-running hedgehog. On the other hand, the framerate is absolutely abysmal most of the time, and the idea of the Were-hog (half hedgehog, half-wolf) had all its cool factor taken away the second they gave the creature totally ridiculous, Mr. Fantastic-style stretchy arms.
“The framerate just can’t keep up with all that’s being thrown on the screen and it tanks far below 30 frames more often than it can stay there or above it. There’s hope for the game being 60 frames per second at the start of a level, but once the camera swoops in to look at the lay of the land in front of you… it kicks to 30 and below. And that becomes incredibly noticeable when Sonic’s zipping at light speed and the screen refresh chunks up so bad it’s nearly unwatchable.
“Oh, and that visual engine? It absolutely tanks during night sequences. There will be several enemies on screen, and the framerate drops to a level where you can almost count out each one as they’re displayed on screen.”
~Screenshots~
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Let’s just hope that IGN has it wrong, and/or Sega does fix the frame-rate issues with the game. If Sonic Unleashed ends up having as many horrific gameplay flaws as Sonic 06, then I think it could very well be the final nail in Sonic’s coffin.
[Source: Sega PR & IGN]
Comments on this article
There have been 41 responses to this article.
They never played Ristar have they?
Kori-Maru
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 3:08 pm.
NO NO! Now my hopes died!:( But it’s ign. What do you guys think?
nam1018
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 3:25 pm.
But Ristar was a 2D game. 2D games are understandable when it comes to slowdown on the older consoles.
The problem here is that this is the 15th 3D Sonic game and they *STILL* can’t seem to fix glaring issues that pop up within every game, as well as bringing even more to the table.
I’m certainly hoping that this is just for the demo and that these flaws are fixed by the time of release. Otherwise, this is gonna be another expected disappointment (moreso for some).
Tsukento
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 3:27 pm.
What! WHAT! I hate to say it but knowing sega were doomed.(cries in pain)
nam1018
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 3:31 pm.
Yeah, I think their comments about the Werehog arms are pretty ridiculous. Does Venom’s comically long tongue take away from his “cool factor?” Either way, the arms are the main thing that could make the night-time levels fun as a platformer.
The framerate issues are a serious problem, and if Sega can’t get it running at a solid 30 fps, maybe they should bite the bullet, delay the game and take their Hedgehog engine back for a tune-up.
Resident nEvil
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 3:42 pm.
I have no problems with the wherehog stretchy arms (I honestly think this might be whats saves the brawling game play).
As for the frame rate problems….what can I say? It’s Sonic Team. Thats why I refused to get excited for this game.
nuckles87
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 3:53 pm.
Comparing Venom’s tongue to Werehog Sonic’s arms is rather…flawed, to say the least.
Venom’s tongue is long because he’s supposed to resemble a monster. The claws and sharp teeth should pretty much indicate this.
However, the stretching of Werehog Sonic’s arms is just…random as hell and makes no sense. Last I checked, Sonic was supposed to be turned into a Werewolf monster, not a Gum-Gum Devil Fruit user. :p
Tsukento
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 4:19 pm.
One problem for developers is that not everyone will agree on what makes a game good/fun.
So the stretchy arms might please some people. And others (like IGN) might hate them.
But something like frame-rate issues is a serious thing.
I still think that I might have actually enjoyed Sonic 06 - if it weren’t for the horrendous glitches in the game.
Graham
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 4:20 pm.
i hope hi is wrong..
nino
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 4:49 pm.
Fixing the framerate issues takes precedence in delivering a polished experience. Do we have a specific release date yet?
Angelo
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 5:04 pm.
Read Gamespy’s preview.
Jason
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 5:17 pm.
I honestly think Sega should put this on hold and just wait till they not only get it right but set a standard in terms of quality, performance and memorability.
These are the type of things we need petitions for, to keep things like this from being made and released far before they are polished, or even petition this, so it could be contracted out to Prope.
This really sucks, even the DS one,has nothing that looks like its FROM the Sonic world. Just a bunch’a pretty graphics with nice touch screen attack system. That is cool and all but I want a real “Sonic world” complete with right type of music(Genesis era), checker floor’s and massive airships that fly over the deserts. T_T
BitMaster
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 6:18 pm.
Tsukento: Pointing out that Venom is a “monster” with “claws and teeth” just makes the comparison MORE valid, given that WereSonic is… Well. ;)
Semantics aside, my only point is that exaggerated/unrealistic body features don’t cause a character to have “all its cool factor taken away” by default, which is what IGN seem to be claiming.
Is it weird? Sure.
Tails has two tails. That’s weird too.
For the record, if Sega is aiming this game at boys aged 6-12, they’ve got themselves a hit, because every cousin/nephew in that age bracket I’ve shown the trailer too thinks WereSonic is the coolest thing EVER.
I think sometimes gaming journalists forget that kids play games too. And obviously have a different definition of “cool.”
Resident nEvil
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 7:59 pm.
“I want a real “Sonic world†complete with right type of music(Genesis era), checker floor’s and massive airships that fly over the deserts. T_T”
But yeah. This. :’(
I’ll still play the new Sonics, but deep down, I still miss the “real” Sonic. I wonder if Sega locked him in the same room as that huge collection of Sega games they found recently? :P
Resident nEvil
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 8:04 pm.
IGN is so stupid for a couple of reasons
1. whos cares if the werehog has strechy arms. its part of the game. It is supposed to look cartoony- realisticish. adurf adurf
2. it is called hands on and they didnt explain how it works. gamespy did and yes they mentioned framerate issues but they liked the way it controled and flowed so im not too woried about these issues.
3. just throwing it there IGNorant reporters……. lol
...
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 9:48 pm.
I don’t believe anything IGN says anymore. They’ve been anti-Sega for a long, long time, and rarely play a Sega game for more than 5 minutes before reviewing it. Furthermore, they posted a video of a fake fight from a Bourne Conspiracy press conference, hinting that it was real.
IGN can suck it. I’ll wait to actually play the game. I do hope, however, that Sega will take the necessary precautions to ensure the game is a quality one.
Graham, I too would have enjoyed Sonic ‘06 more if they had just smoothed out the engine a little more, and if the loading times were shorter. I’ve managed over 140 gamerscore on it though! When the installing thing comes to Xbox, that should help and I’ll resume playing. You should too if you get bored.
Gamerschoice
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 9:55 pm.
You are right gamer choice they are very anti sega and if yo think about it they do sound like poor excuses. The frame rate does bother me but if thats the only problem then sega should be able to fix it in the next 2 months and then we would have a hard core mario galaxy game. Well you know what I mean.
nam1018
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 10:20 pm.
NEW GAME PLAY.
As far as this night game play goes, I do not mind it one bit as long as it is done right! it is very reminiscent of Ristar. If sega can show, WELL THOUGHT OUT AND USE for this swing mechanic, why, the fuck not? Idea is one thing and execution is another.
And yes I do still believe that DS version could use a do over one the world and music.
The new Sonic on next gen system looks fantastic, dose not offer a oldschool aesthetic feel, but its surreal look is acceptable and works better then Biowares take (lets leave this ALL to Sega of japan please,and let them have our tech) -_-.
BitMaster
Posted August 22nd, 2008 at 2:01 am.
I Don’t really think much of IGN anyway I’m sure this game will be good even if it has little problems it still looks allot more better then sonic heroes etc.
SegaGAmer
Posted August 22nd, 2008 at 2:20 am.
i would love to have knuckles instead of the werehog. anyway the days when tails and knuckles were as fast as sonic are gone and forgotten by many including sonic team. so give then a good roll in the story. i tired of looking for pieces of the emeralds with knuckles he is supposed to be a great fighter! so why not give him some robots to destroy?
alexer
Posted August 22nd, 2008 at 6:03 am.
If the framerate is the only issue they can point out, I can live with that.
They still have 3 full months before launch.
I don’t understand that 60 fps bit, Sonic Team stated that the game ran roughly under 30 fps.
yusaku
Posted August 22nd, 2008 at 7:12 am.
Of course. Flame IGN for having a opinon and doing their job.
It might be a good game. And Sonic’s not dead. In fact, if not for Nintendo, Sonic would still be in the coffin.
CaptainUlt
Posted August 22nd, 2008 at 10:58 am.
You know what, I hate this site. It seems like you like to bash Sega instead of trying to pull through. You always whine, like “oh god. Sonic Unleashed just has 1 promblem with it. I’ll go bash IGN for no apparent reason.” And you always bash of Nintendo to make yourself feel better. IGN is actually a good site and they take the time to review and preview their games. They are not anti-Sega. They have opinons.
If it wasn’t for Nintendo, Sega wouldn’t try hard to pull through and make decent games, and Sonic would just be another platformer game.
You’re all a bunch of fanboys. I’m going to expect a comment saying something like “You really suck. Get off our site out now. IGN sucks too, loser.” If I’m going to be flamed, I want a detailed flame at least.
CaptainUlt
Posted August 22nd, 2008 at 11:10 am.
Well you sound like you have a few anger issues. Of course ign has there opinion and its good that they pointed the frame rate out but the were hog thing is the most stupid excuse ever! The arms are part of the game and they can’t just go whine about it like babies. In fact this is suppose to be a professional video game rating company and they are making excuses like the arm thing, the frame rate is a big deal but the arm thing is not. I think that right there can prove that there anti Sega. Also Nintendo didn’t save sonic. Sonic would just be making games for anther system. So is this good enough of a flame for fire boy or do you want some more gasoline?
nam1018
Posted August 22nd, 2008 at 11:44 am.
IGN isn’t that bad of a website as you make it out to be. Give a 7/10 at least. It’s not that bad.
CaptainUlt
Posted August 22nd, 2008 at 11:57 am.
Seems that the game is still having issues I saw months ago, seems like its Sonic 06 all over again. I don’t care if IGN doesn’t find the ‘Werehog’ fun as long as the game isn’t running at 12fps and has glitches galore.
Thats my main beef. Thats embarrassing imo.
George
Posted August 22nd, 2008 at 12:24 pm.
CaptainUlt, IGN is one big site of hackneyed journalism. I refer you to the Bourne Conspiracy fake fight video they posted. They rarely give any Sega game a fair chance. They seem to only play any given Sega game for about five minutes before giving it a rating. The reader score and forum posts regarding their ratings ALWAYS disagree, potentially with a few exceptions such as Sonic ‘06. Look at the score for NiGHTS Journey of Dreams vs. the reader rating. Furthermore, IGN is more concerned with appeasing the mass opinion, rather than giving a game a fair score, lest they be called “fanboys”. I believe you’re familiar with that term. Their coverage tends to be negative about anything and everything, just like EGM. Needless to say, I cancelled my subscription to both.
IGN is far from quality writing, and there are better, less biased gaming sites out there. For example, I get my gaming news from Joystiq, where a more positive vibe is felt.
Besides, if the framerate goes just below 30 fps, they make it seem like the world is ending. Did they even comment on how fun the game is? Did they talk about the way it played? No. All they did was pander to the general hate by stating only flaws, and ignoring the potentially good things about the game.
Gamerschoice
Posted August 22nd, 2008 at 1:11 pm.
i hope sega doesnt screw this one up because it will
be the last sonic title im going to purchase. ive waited
close to 14 years for even a decent one and they manage
to fail everytime. sonic 06 killed the blur blurs reputation
and its pretty sad that mentioning sonics name in a conversion gets many modern gamers pissed!!!!
dredragoon
Posted August 22nd, 2008 at 2:33 pm.
IGN can go eat my shorts… Retro ain’t it…
motowolly
Posted August 22nd, 2008 at 4:56 pm.
Those Wii shots look much prettier than they did in the grainy magazine scans. Hopefully Dimps can dodge the framerate troubles Sonic Team is allegedly encountering on the 360 and the PS3.
And hopefully Sonic Team will care enough about the 360 and PS3 versions to fix those up before release as well. And hopefully Sega will release the PS2 version of NiGHTS in the States. And hopefully platypuses will evolve to the point where they can gangsta-rap and naturally glow in the dark…
JetDog
Posted August 22nd, 2008 at 10:45 pm.
@CaptainUlt
You act like if it was not 4 Nintendo, Sega wouldn’t try.. I mean really its not like Sega directly competes outside the mascot platfomer genre. Games like Virtua fighter, Phantasy star , bass fishing, Shenmue, La machine gunners are all AAA titles that were directly made of a need to compete with Nintendo only((sarcasim)) OH WAIT! NINTEDONT DO
-FISHING!
-3D FIGHTING GAMES WITH DEEPEST
MECHANICS THAT REQIRE REAL TOP NOTCH SKILL
-3D HIGH PACED MECHA TO MECHA ACTION
-3D ONLINE RPG
-3D RTS
-LA MACHINE GUNNERS
-SEGA GT
-JET SET RADIO
-SHENMUE
-SEAMAN
-SPACE HARRIER
-FANTASY ZONE
((sarcasm))I am sure these games are made to directly compete with Nintendo and the only reason there good is because of Nintendo.
I mean really now, everyone competes with everyone in one way or another and I am sure Capcom and Konami where company’s that Sega never competed with before.
((sarcasimmmmmm please stop me))))
don’t mean to attack you mate but I hate it when people speak rubbish, I have a hard time understanding that sorta thing.
and no a lot of these reviewers cant fully review a game properly because there desk is filled with 30 other titles they have to zip through..my advice is, find a reviewer you like and check him out(even if he has his pile of games, u both have same taste).
anyways.
BitMaster
Posted August 23rd, 2008 at 4:02 am.
DIMPS is just doing level design.
Kogen
Posted August 23rd, 2008 at 9:47 am.
“IGN is actually a good site and they take the time to review and preview their games. They are not anti-Sega. They have opinons.”
I like IGN, that’s not the issue here. Complaining about stretchy arms is in no way good journalism, is a matter of taste. Complaining about fps is though, but I haven’t seen that in the current build some guy played just some days ago.
“It might be a good game. And Sonic’s not dead. In fact, if not for Nintendo, Sonic would still be in the coffin.”
“If it wasn’t for Nintendo, Sega wouldn’t try hard to pull through and make decent games, and Sonic would just be another platformer game.”
Sure, because any other platformer game character would make part of brawl. You’re funny, very funny sir. Still, take the wiimote out of your ass and try again.
Red_Menace
Posted August 23rd, 2008 at 10:51 am.
IGN are retards who play the first level, then make up lies. Example: Sonic Riders 2.
Kogen
Posted August 23rd, 2008 at 4:27 pm.
PREDICTION/WISHFUL THINKING:
The Dimps version will turn out significantly better than the Sonic Team one. Sonic Team will finally give Dimps the go-ahead to do a full 2D Sonic game on WiiWare/PSN/XBLA.
nirniva
Posted August 23rd, 2008 at 7:31 pm.
PREDICTION:
Dimps is only doing the damn level design. Sonic Team is making /both/ versions.
Kogen
Posted August 23rd, 2008 at 7:46 pm.
What is IGN’s beef against SEGA anyways?
Taco Lord
Posted August 23rd, 2008 at 7:52 pm.
They’re idiots they are talking about bad framerates when it’s a alpha.
segamaster222
Posted August 23rd, 2008 at 8:43 pm.
I find it hilarious that folks attack me in one article, for forming an opinion of HoTD Overkill before its release…
… And then the site headlines IGN’s opinion of Sonic Unleased, before its release.
Christopher Price
Posted August 26th, 2008 at 5:56 am.
I think SU will be a nice game. I also admit that IGN Disappointed me so much. everyone loves Nintendo’s stuff, even when they are consoles (i mean the Wii) powerfull as the Dreamcast, or a few more. I knew that the idea of the wii mote and the nunchuk was a SEGA idea and project of just about 10 years ago or more.
I agree with those ones that say IGN is against SEGA. It’s simple to go against SEGA and loves nintendo that is doing “old” and ALWAYS the same things. I admit, I’m a SEGA fan, and everyone should be with me when I mention games like Shenmue I & II, Ecco The Dolphin (for Dreamcast), Sonic Adventure 1 & 2, NiGHTS, Guardian Heroes, Ristar and even more. Nintendo will never be able to create this kinds of game, i mean, this LEGENDS of games. The only fantastic series that Nintendo did is Zelda.
Returning to the unleashed, in my opinion Sega should fix quickly the frame rate’s problem. I also have some doubts of the originality of the werehog, but i think that his gameplay is very funny. IGN’s journalists are so stupid to criticing this way the werehog’s arms. Why don’t you tell us more about the gameplay and about other things? Or maybe should I think that you’re only able to go against SEGA no matter what. what a incompetent people.
p.s. Sorry for my not so well english, I’m Italian and I’m 16
Daniele
Posted August 26th, 2008 at 6:14 pm.
Actually if you read the preview it is actually quite postive and I think peple are just over exaggerating. The fact that the framerate is the only gameplay related issue required to fix (even though they Sonic Team said they wre developing the game for 30FPS a while back anyway) is actually a relieve. They don’t mention anything about poor controls, glitches or camera issues. And as for the werehog, most of (if not all) of what they said was opinionated and had nothing to do with the werehog gameplay itself. It was just a ‘It’s not Sonic, we no like’ type of criticism. It still looks postive s far.
DS
Posted August 28th, 2008 at 1:09 am.