Sonic Unleashed, when it sticks to what it does best, is true blue magic, but still midway there.
I'm not an avid Sonic fan, but I still am a huge fan of classic Sonic. Sonic created a perfect cross with platforming gameplay, and racing gameplay, and really created his own style which could be rewoned today as Sonic style. Every modern Sonic title still leaves me in hope of the blue blazer returning to glory, and reliving the speedy action of the Genesis games.
When Sonic Unleashed sticks to what it does best, it is pure magic. The Sonic sections, containing visually unforgettable levels, resurrecting the colourful vibrancy and strong artistic asset of the classic Sonic stages. The Sonic sections; equipped with drifts, quick-steps, and quick-time events, and the maniuplation of tight corners and memorization of levels bring back the hardcore equilvent that Sonic once had. Sonic brings back the intesity, as once you know a stage, you will be the blue blazer. The Sonic stages are not perfect however. Portions of areas are hampered down by some questionable level design choices, that lead you to cheap deaths, and moments of annoyance. But, thanks to the tight controls, glorious sense of speed and balanced level of difficulty, Sonic is at the best state I have ever seen.
Sonic's midnight friend: the werehog is a game that's halfway there. The memorable platforming with the werehog's stretchy arms, combined with decent level design fit for exploriation are what the werehog sections at one level a good effort, but the mundane shallow combat, combined wuth lazy character design, hampers the potential of the Werehog. The camera is touchy, as the percision required with the camera is ridiclous. The werehog sections are not bad, as the platforming sections are nicely done, and the level design is certainly commendable, the gameplay could of had more depth to be there.
The audio quality in Unleashed is surprsingly well done. The music score shifts from modern punk and instrumental rock, to some nice compositions. Themes such as Apotos Day Stage, Spagonia Day Stage, and Chun-Nan are classic Sonic tunes, combing simplicity in the tunes with a pacy backing that both clips Sonic action well, and both catchy and merry. The werehog sections do have some forgettable tunes, and some feel like souless rehashes, but all in all, the music is solid in Unleashed. The voicework in Unleashed ranges from excellent, by having terrific vocal performances for Eggman, to decent with Sonic sounding good but not great, to droning and generic, such as the townsfolk and Amy.
Overall, Sonic Unleashed at one level, is both the best 2D and 3D Sonic yet. The speed, both with the degree of depth, make Sonic run at proud speeds. Another, a game thats standard but nothing special. There is definetely a huge ray of light in the darkness that the Sonic franchise has, and for what this game is, it's good to have Sonic back, the way we all love him. Just... less with the tack-ons, next time Sega.