Sonic Unleashed

Sonic Unleashed (Known as Sonic World Adventure in Japan) is a 2008 platforming video game, part of the Sonic the Hedgehog series, and released for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii. A mobile version was developed by Gameloft, and Dimps provided additional work for the Wii and PlayStation 2 versions.

The game follows Sonic's quest to defeat Eggman, who, in a scheme to awaken a demon called Dark Gaia, has shattered the Earth through a powerful laser weapon. As a side effect of his power being drained earlier, Sonic turns into a "Werehog" at night. The game is split in daytime stages, wherein Sonic cruises through the levels as fast as he can and defeats enemies traditionally; and nighttime stages, wherein Sonic becomes the Werehog and uses a much slower pace of combat and puzzle solving.

While the game received mixed overall reviews, it was commercially successfull, and set the stone for games like Sonic Colors.

Story
Dr. Eggman is the primary antagonist for Sonic Unleashed. At the beginning of Unleashed, Dr. Eggman manages to trap Super Sonic. Sonic transformed using the power of the Chaos Emeralds - using a powerful new ray weapon, and uses the Emeralds' energy to unleash a powerful beast from the center of the planet. This has devastating consequences for the planet, which subsequently 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. In addition, Eggman's ray also causes an unexpected transformation to Sonic's state, known as the Werehog, changing the way the story unfolds.

Playable Characters

 * Sonic the Hedgehog
 * Sonic the Werehog (First Appearance)
 * Super Sonic

Non-Playable Characters

 * Doctor Eggman
 * SA-55 (Only Appearance)
 * Miles "Tails" Prower
 * Chip Light Gaia (Only Appearance)
 * Professer Pickle (Only appearance)
 * Amy Rose

Gameplay
Sonic can go from 2D to 3D in the stages. Sonic also has new abilities such as the Drift that allows Sonic to slide around a corner at high speeds. Players are also able to perform a new ability which is called the Quick Step. The Quick Step allows you to press a button, the quick step helps you make easier quick movements. You can olso now experience buy upgrades/food/items in a shop. Those items help you in the levels. Sonic now has the  Boost ability, which was the first time that it was in a 3D Sonic game. There is also a day and night system in the game. In the daytime you play as sonic and in the nighttime you play as the Warehog. When you play as Sonic the Hedgehog during the day, you will be doing high speed platforming. When playing as the Warehog you are going slower, doing platforming/beat-em-up levels. The game will also feature Hub Worlds. Their are different missions you can do in the hub worlds.

Development
The development of Sonic Unleashed was announced in April 2008. Unleashed was originally intended to be the third installment of the Sonic Adventure series and subsequently, at an early development stage, had the working title Sonic World Adventure, complete with work-in-progress logo. However, the development team began to introduce enough new innovations to separate it from the Sonic Adventure titles, and so a new title, Sonic Unleashed, was decided upon.

The game was developed internally by Sonic Team. With Sonic Unleashed being developed internally by Sonic Team. It will be a multiplatform release on the Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and the PlayStation 2. There are two development "silos" that work on two separate builds of the game: one for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 version, and one for the Wii and PlayStation 2 version. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions will run on Sega's "Hedgehog Engine", which has been in production for three years and will produce a frame rate of 30 frames per second. The Wii and PlayStation 2 versions will not take advantage of the Hedgehog Engine, instead using a modified version of an existing, internal Sega engine.

The Wii version of the game will be developed specifically to take advantage of its controller's capabilities, with notable differences in gameplay. The game will use the Wii Remote and/or Nunchuk option; whilst character movement and basic actions will be assigned to buttons, certain actions will benefit from physical movements. It will support the GameCube controller, and also the option of using the Classic Controller. The levels, whilst sharing the same styles, themes and motifs as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions, will be different to those shared between the Wii. 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. and the PlayStation 2 versions, and Dimps will be involved with design of the daytime stages for these versions.