Sonic Unleashed

Developer: in-house
Format: PS2, Wii Xbox 360, PS3
Genre: Arcade

Sonic is back, but blink and you'll miss him

Powered by the all-new "Hedgehog Engine" that has apparently been under development for three years, Sonic Unleashed promises to blend classic Sonic gameplay with the latest in next-generation polish. The game launches players on a journey across the globe and merges blistering 2D action with picturesque 3D environments.

There's a new storyline in the pipeline where day and night play drastically different roles. Players find that Dr. Eggman continues on his mission for domination, but this time he's upped the stakes by causing a catastrophic event that breaks apart the world and unleashes a slumbering beast that alters Sonic in unexpected ways. It is up to Sonic to use his newfound abilities to connect the remnants of a shattered world by finding the lost chaos emeralds.

The latest title is all about the beauty of speed. Players can avoid obstacles instantly using a new Quick Step function without losing any built-up momentum. Players can also use Sonic Boost and accelerate to supersonic speed by quickly collecting rings and increasing Ring Energy level. Finally, maintain the high-speed momentum through turns using "Speed Drift. The game should come with go-faster stripes down the packaging!

Sega is also hinting at open-ended gameplay. The splintered world of Sonic Unleashed delivers a massive playground where players can choose an array of paths when jetting through each stage. Each route offers different encounters with varying rewards and obstacles - meaning there's hopefully going top bags of longevity in this arcade platformer.

Can the blue hedgehog get any quicker? Apparently so. A release on all major formats is scheduled for November.

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