Sonic Unleashed

Sonic Unleashed
European box art
Developer(s)	Sonic Team
Publisher(s)	Sega
Director(s)	Yoshihisa Hashimoto
Producer(s)	Akinori Nishiyama
Artist(s)	Sachiko Kawamura
Writer(s)	Kiyoko Yoshimura
Composer(s)	Tomoya Ohtani Fumie Kumatani Kenichi Tokoi Hideaki Kobayashi Takahito Eguchi
Series	Sonic the Hedgehog
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 mobile phones
Release date(s)	November 18, 2008 PlayStation 2, Wii NA: November 18, 2008 AU: November 27, 2008 EU: November 28, 2008 JP: December 18, 2008 Xbox 360 NA: November 20, 2008 AU: November 27, 2008 EU: November 28, 2008 JP: February 19, 2009 PlayStation 3 NA: December 9, 2008 AU: December 18, 2008 EU: December 19, 2008 JP: February 19, 2009 Mobile phones PAL: June 4, 2009
Genre(s)	Platformer, action-adventure, beat 'em up
Mode(s)	Single-player

Sonic Unleashed, released as Sonic World Adventure (Japanese: ソニックワールドアドベンチャー, Hepburn: Sonikku Wārudo Adobenchā^?) in Japan, is a 2008 video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega for multiple platforms. The game follows Sonic the Hedgehog as he attempts to restore the world to normal after his nemesis, Doctor Eggman. The game also focuses on Sonic's 'werehog' form, which he gains during the beginning after coming into contact with the energy of Dark Gaia. Gameplay features two distinct styles, with each being played either during daytime or night-time. Daytime stages incorporate Sonic's traditional platforming and trademark speed, with a combination of behind-the-back third-person viewpoints and 2D side-scroller platforming; gameplay seamlessly transitions between these two views. Night-time levels see Sonic transform into the Werehog; gameplay slows down to accommodate greater platform play, and involves combat against waves of enemies using the Werehog's brute strength.

The game's existence was first brought to light when Sega trademarked the Unleashed name, and shortly after, images and a gameplay video were leaked to the public in March 2008. Public anticipation for the game was high, owing to the video's demonstration of some two-dimensional gameplay, seen as a possible return to Sonic's platforming roots. However, critical reception for the game was mixed, with reviewers praising certain elements, such as the sense of speed in daylight stages and the graphics and audio that make up the environments, and criticizing others, such as the new Werehog game mechanic, as well as several gameplay and design concepts. Many reviewers felt that Unleashed was ultimately not the title that would be able to reinvigorate the series.Sonic Unleashed was de-listed in 2010, following Sega's decision to remove all Sonic titles with average or lower Metacritic scores from sale in stores. Despite this, the game was released on the PlayStation Network in April 2014.