The Sonic Unleashed Recompiled project has been a blessing to PC and Steam Deck owners. After years of fans asking for a remastered Unleashed port, they stopped waiting for SEGA and did it themselves. It’s given us a great way to replay this underappreciated and overhated Sonic title.
Normally, fans of Unleashed will point out how the game’s boost sections are tremendous, while the Werehog sections are lambasted to hell and back. However, after playing a few levels, I can honestly say that these combat sections aren’t that bad.
Don’t get me wrong, these bits in the game are far from perfect. The lack of enemy variety is apparent early on, as Werehog Sonic fights these small blobs constantly. Platforming as the Werehog also has its issues, particularly when you jump from one pole to the next as you can’t move before making the leap to the next one. Some of these levels are also way too long, the opposite of those acclaimed boost stages.
And that battle music is so repetitive. BAM BOP BAM BAM DADARANAAAAAA, please make it stop.
Even with all of that, I didn’t hate the Werehog sections of Sonic Unleashed. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that I kind of like them.
Firstly, the Werehog controls pretty well. Aside from those pole jumps, running and punching as Werehog Sonic feels pretty good. Seeing Sonic’s limbs stretch out and whomp enemies is really satisfying. Running on all fours to get across the stage faster is also nice and makes me wish more games had a run button. Maybe I just miss character action games like modern Ninja Gaiden or the old God of War, but these sections put a smile on my face.
I also really enjoyed the jazzy tunes that play while exploring the stages as Werehog Sonic. Sure, the battle music is frequent and pretty annoying, but the calm tunes that come after are worth it. I would have loved it if the Sonic Unleashed Recompiled project had the option to take that battle music out, but then it wouldn’t be Sonic Unleashed anymore, for better or worse.
The long levels might be a drag, but that makes it easier to find those required Sun and Moon Medals. Annoyingly, Unleashed forces players to collect these or they can’t progress to the other levels. It’s worse in the boost sections since you go so fast that missing these medals is inevitable, forcing a number of replays. Getting them in the Werehog sections is a lot easier since levels are smaller and are easier to get through.
Honestly, fans who want shorter versions of these levels should emulate the PS2 or Wii ports of this game. Developed by Dimps, responsible for the Sonic Rush and Advance games, they were able to make these Werehog levels shorter and more bearable. It also helps that the Sun and Moon medals are rewards for completing levels, so pesky exploration in the boost stages isn’t needed.
Gamers who were bothered by the Werehog sections in Sonic Unleashed should give them another chance. Obviously, there’s the Unleashed Recompiled project if you want to play this game on PC or Steam Deck at a smooth 60 FPS. If you have an Xbox Series, simply play your Xbox 360 copy of the game because that also received a free 60 FPS boost.
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