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Sonic Unleashed - Dimps v.s. Sonic Team
- Sonic Unleashed - Dimps v.s. Sonic Team
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Sonic Unleashed - Dimps v.s. Sonic Team
Dopey > 08-14-2018, 04:43 AM
So, as I'm sure most of us are aware, Sonic Unleashed launched with two playable versions. One developed by Dimps of Sonic Advance fame, and the other developed by Sonic Team, of course.
It is also likely no secret that the Dimps version released on Wii and PlayStation 2, whereas the ST rendition of the game came out on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Which is better though?
Personally, I prefer the Dimps version, but that's largely due to nostalgia. While, yes, the next-gen version of Unleashed is *technically* the fuller package (the PS2 version was missing Savannah Citadel, all of Empire City including Skyscraper Scramble, and the hub-worlds in favour of a more point-and-click style), I still felt like the Wii/PS2 version was more well-rounded, featuring better level design across the board, though especially during the night-time stages. I would have really enjoyed the Werehog in the PS3 version, because his levels had some really strong moments (climbing the clock tower in Rooftop Run instantly springs to mind) and combat was fun and fluid (if you don't like the werehog try to learn the combos. It's way more fun that way) but I feel his stages sort of dragged for a little longer than necessary.
In the PS2 version, I thought the nighttime stages were pretty well balanced, featuring a decent amount of combat and still only taking around five to seven minutes each to beat, which is pretty good when stacked up against Sonic Team's 10-12 minutes per level. That could just be because I suck, though
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I think they handled medals a little better in the PS2 version, also. As opposed to having you find them throughout the levels, forcing you to stop and look around (this was way more of a problem in the daytime stages because it totally killed the flow and caused me to sacrifice a few S-Ranks on some occasions) you obtain them based on your performance during a stage; beating the stage gets you one medal, achieving an A-Rank nets you two, and getting an S-Rank will reward you with all three and a lovely little jingle. As far as I'm aware they aren't mandatory to beat the game, either, but correct me if I'm wrong.
There isn't really a need to discuss boss fights as as far as I'm aware they're all the same, with the exception of Perfect Dark Gaia.
What do you all think though? Discuss away... -
RE: Sonic Unleashed - Dimps v.s. Sonic Team
NeoMetallix > 08-14-2018, 06:59 AM
Confession time! I never actually played Unleashed. It came out at a time I didn’t have a lot of money and the poor reviews turned me off paying $60. I still thought it looked great and wanted to get to it but never got around to it. I’ve played all the other boost games though. -
RE: Sonic Unleashed - Dimps v.s. Sonic Team
Zamau > 08-14-2018, 12:11 PM
I never played Sonic Unleashed on the Wii or PS2, I only played it on the PS3 and at first I didn't like the game because of the werehog stages. The game slowed down on the night stages, and as the werehog, Sonic was just smashing enemies. It got boring and I stopped playing it. But later I got more used to the game, and now I think it's better than the Sonic Adventure games. I Even got the soundtrack, although it's called Sonic World Adventure Original Soundtrack.
Anyway I don't think the werehog states are bad now, but I think the daytime stages is where this game shines the most. Is there difference between the games on the PS2 and Wii than there is on the PS3 and XBox 360? -
RE: Sonic Unleashed - Dimps v.s. Sonic Team
Dopey > 08-14-2018, 02:43 PM
(08-14-2018, 12:11 PM)Zamau Wrote: I never played Sonic Unleashed on the Wii or PS2, I only played it on the PS3 and at first I didn't like the game because of the werehog stages. The game slowed down on the night stages, and as the werehog, Sonic was just smashing enemies. It got boring and I stopped playing it. But later I got more used to the game, and now I think it's better than the Sonic Adventure games. I Even got the soundtrack, although it's called Sonic World Adventure Original Soundtrack.
Anyway I don't think the werehog states are bad now, but I think the daytime stages is where this game shines the most. Is there difference between the games on the PS2 and Wii than there is on the PS3 and XBox 360?
You mean, are there differences between those two versions of the game? Hells yeah, there are.
For starters the level design is radically different in the Wii/PS2 game. In both timeframes, the levels are far more linear and streamlined, with a lot of straight-ends and not so many turns and loops and stuff. That stuff's still there and where it's used it's used well, but I reckon because they didn't have the same kind of power that they couldn't make the levels quite as exciting in the 360/PS3 game.
Additionally, some of the game is staright up missing. The Wii/PS2 version doesn't feature:
a) The Tornado minigame when enroute to new continents that I really liked from the 360/PS3 game.
b) All of the Action Stages in Mazuri. The boss is the only thing you get to play there, and it's exactly the same, if memory serves.
c) Empire City is not visited or even mentioned a single time in the Wii/PS2 version of the game. This subsequently means no Skyscraper Scramble and, as such, none of that sexy-as-all-hell sax you get at the start of Skyscraper Scramble Day.
d) The hub worlds are reduced from fully-explorable environments to pseudo point-and-click affairs in the Wii/PS2 version. Essentially the hub worlds are clunky menus that have you clicking on locations until you get the one with the guy/gal who has an important story item to give you.
e) None of those godforsaken Hot Dog missions in the Wii/PS2 version. -
RE: Sonic Unleashed - Dimps v.s. Sonic Team
pianta > 08-16-2018, 08:59 AM
As I grew up with the Wii version only, just by looking at xbox/ps3 footage it made it clear that that version would be the superior one. Not just graphically but gameplay wise I always thought I'd enjoy that version more. The boost mechanic was more fancy and you could boost forever, so the daytime stages looked way more fun to me. There were actual hub worlds to walk and explore in, not some visual novel text based style adventure. To this day I hope to be able to play it.
Now on second thought years later, I would say there's pros and cons about both versions - which kinda makes me want a remake for the switch where they combine the two. Of course the medal collecting was made much easier in the Wii/ps2 version which I am thankful for. Who thought it would be fun to collect stuff in a game that encourages you to go fast ? It makes sense in the nighttime stages I guess, but even then it seems redundant.
So I'd agree the Wii version is, despite being heavily flawed, the more well rounded one. Not necessarily the better one imo. It got a better flow and pacing, levels don't drag on for hours *cough* Eggmanland *cough* Even though you're missing out on some stages, they apparently don't matter in the story anyway. Just wish the boost system wasn't... like that. After all these years the xbox/ps3 looks fun to play through (daytime stages at least) and I wouldn't as quickly pick up the DIMPS version anytime soon...
