Sonic Unleashed Day Stages...

[Syaming Li]

They're ridiculously pretty. But the variation for difficulty on those stages were massively varied. I still found that last fact somewhat likeable though.

Too much speed, though. I've never been one to complain about the pace of the previous titles, which were apparently deemed too fast by some, but I thought the forumla was correct back then. There are design elements to give you a sense of speed, rather than OMFGboostblurrystuffmissallofthelevelelements- Oh, there's the Goal Ring.

[Kuzu]

Hmm Day stages eh.

The Good: They look fantastic, the music(Most of it anyway) is fast and upbeat to make you feel like your hauling ass.

And it caters to Sonic's most powerful attributes his speed, and agility.

The Bad: This is mainly on the Wii version, but the stages tend to be a bit too short ranging from 2-3 minutes, especially when compared to how many Night Stages there are.

There's little to know platforming, I know Sonic is about speed, but holding forward on the controller all the time doesn't feel like fun to me.

The Ugly: EFFIN QTE'S

[turbojet]

Am I the only person who doesn't think Eggmanland was THAT BAD? Sure it was difficult, but what really does it is the length. I've gone through the level a few times and I've even come to find it enjoyable! It took me a whopping 70 minutes at first and now I can do it in 40. Cannon's Core is almost 10 years old, and that level still strikes more fear into me than Eggmanland EVER could.

Hell, If it weren't for the fact I always die at some point, I'd have an S rank because I have easily A ranked it.

The thing about Cannon's Core is that it wasn't next to impossible to complete. In fact, I got through Cannon's core with little to no trouble and I didn't feel like I was cheated. Hell, the Eggmanland stage opens up with an extremely intimidating QTE.

The diffilculty of the daystages, as Tornado mentioned, were all over the place. I honestly doubt that someone can just pick up the game and have a easy go with it. My baby cousin who has the Wii version of the game and beat it, tried playing it on my PS3. He got slaughtered because the game was telling him about hazards right before the last second(then again, I probably should have not allowed him to play on my user because I had a fully leveled up Sonic). The point is that Sonic Unleashed probably was a little too hard for most.

Also, fuck the NYC stage.

[Ebby]

The thing about Cannon's Core is that it wasn't next to impossible to complete. In fact, I got through Cannon's core with little to no trouble and I didn't feel like I was cheated. Hell, the Eggmanland stage opens up with an extremely intimidating QTE.

The diffilculty of the daystages, as Tornado mentioned, were all over the place. I honestly doubt that someone can just pick up the game and have a easy go with it. My baby cousin who has the Wii version of the game and beat it, tried playing it on my PS3. He got slaughtered because the game was telling him about hazards right before the last second(then again, I probably should have not allowed him to play on my user because I had a fully leveled up Sonic). The point is that Sonic Unleashed probably was a little too hard for most.

Also, fuck the NYC stage.

No way. I made through most of Unleashed in a week when I initially played it. I only had trouble AT Eggmanland. I honestly can say I'm not much of a gamer and I don't think I'm good at most games, but this game isn't hard. I can't see the difficulty as all over the place. I think Arid Sands is rather hard and out of place, but that's it.

The QTE in the beginning of Eggmanland is difficult, but by this time you should KNOW the buttons. By the time you clear both of the Tornado levels, you should know Y is yellow and up, X is blue and left, B is red and right, and A is green and down. You go through multiple QTEs in the other day levels and the even in the night levels. I'm sorry, but I think the QTEs are fine.

Skyscraper Scamper Day is cake. Nice moist vanilla cake with chocolate frosting. Yummy. Sonic running over the Brooklyn Bridge for the win.

[Scarecrow]

Eggmanland, with a bit of practice, is not that impossible and has plenty of extra lives. However, Eggmanland WITHOUT DYING is another story, and considering there's deadly QTEs quite a way in, it can effect the enjoyment in trying to get those last Hotdogs.... might just be me though.

Otherwise all the day stages are fantastic. Night ones are quite fun too.

[speedduelist]

The only one that is just boost and forget is Apotos Act 2. That is literally the only stage where you can actually get away with holding down X for 99% of the stage.

Holaska is one of the better platforming levels, and so is Spagonia. However, they both can still be traversed while boosting, but the platforming is there.

Also Chunnan is the second heaviest platforming level. It gets pretty good at times.

Spagonia (from the video) is all about Boosting and Running on roof tops :

Spagonia didn't include platforming at all :

Chunan had a tiny bit just 15 seconds platforming then boost then another 15 seconds revealing the same section again (a total of 30 seconds platforming out of 4 minutes) :

same thing for holaska, a 2 seconds Jumping at the beginning, their a 12 seconds stop (Stomping on the 2 buttons) [total of 14 seconds]. that is it :

Empire city like spagonia, doesn't have platforming :

shamar also has a total of 30 seconds platforming :

Adabat and eggman land have a lot of platforming.

But any ways None of them really shows the momentum of the classic games, it shows more Running speedy sections than slow platforming.

the slower platforming is actually very tiny, Too Much Speed is gained at a very low cost of jumping on 2-3 platforms makes a racing game, not a sonic game.

this is just my opinion though

[turbojet]

Eggmanland, with a bit of practice, is not that impossible and has plenty of extra lives. However, Eggmanland WITHOUT DYING is another story, and considering there's deadly QTEs quite a way in, it can effect the enjoyment in trying to get those last Hotdogs.... might just be me though.

Otherwise all the day stages are fantastic. Night ones are quite fun too.

Anybody have no problem completing a level and not dieing? Anybody? I would believe you if you said that you didn't die in Rooftop Run, Apotos, and maybe Mazuri, but I call bullshit on anything else. The game gives you so many lives for a reason. Completing a level without dieing is tougher than it should be.

@speedduelist, if you are going to use examples, try not to use speedruns. Speedruns skip a vast majority of the level and require a lot of skill to complete without dieing. The whole point of a speed run is to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible without going wasting superflous time on the platform sections. For example, the Rooftop Run speed run that you posted skipped a huge portion of the level and goes an alternate route. Sure, you don't have to endure the few platforms in the game, but you can sure as hell avoid doing a proper speed run. Then you completely forgot about the other acts as well which have tons of platforming in them.

Edited September 30, 2010 by turbojet

[Ebby]

Anybody have no problem completing a level and not dieing? Anybody? I would believe you if you said that you didn't die in Rooftop Run, Apotos, and maybe Mazuri, but I call bullshit on anything else. The game gives you so many lives for a reason. Completing a level without dieing is tougher than it should be.

I don't die in Act 1 of Rooftop Run, Chun-nan, Skyscraper Scamper, Windmill Isle, and Savannah Citadel. I can even pass a few Act 2 levels on a single run, and we all know those things are pretty hard. Cool Edge, Arid Sands, and Jungle Joyride (surprisingly the Act 1 DLC is EASIER!) always kill me.

In Cool Edge I tend to miss that final jump on the sled ride... I'm not too fond of the level anyway. Arid Sands requires precision that I just don't have so I die or get hit pretty often, I don't think I've ever got higher than a B... if that! Lastly, the water running in Jungle Joyride is pretty treacherous if you're bad at it, I always manage to get hit by this one falling tower, it never fails!!!

I'm telling you it can be done!

[speedduelist]

'great 2.5D platforming in sonic unleashed'

I don't really know how people come with that idea, it all started ever since iizuka said about the '2.5D platforming' in Sonic Colors, iizuka even said that Unleashed lacked a balance between platforming and speed :

SPOnG: You've said that you looked back at Sonic Unleashed when designing the gameplay elements of Sonic Colours. Did you look further back into the series for other inspirations?

Takashi Iizuka: Sonic Unleashed was actually more specialised in the high-speed action of the series, and we certainly took something from that. But if you look at many of the other Sonic titles, such as Sonic Adventure and the classic games, you'll find that the series has always been about speed and platforming in equal measure.

Sonic Colours is going back to the origins by focusing on that balance.

http://spong.com/feature/10110209/Interview-Sonic-Colours-Producer-Takashi-Iizuka

In fact unleashed platforming was barley recognizable, except only in adabat and eggman land which had Major both 3d and 2.5D platforming, their are only 10% platforming of each of the other stages.

Edited September 30, 2010 by speedduelist

[Saint Nathan]

Spagonia (from the video) is all about Boosting and Running on roof tops :

Spagonia didn't include platforming at all :

Chunan had a tiny bit just 15 seconds platforming then boost then another 15 seconds revealing the same section again (a total of 30 seconds platforming out of 4 minutes) :

same thing for holaska, a 2 seconds Jumping at the beginning, their a 12 seconds stop (Stomping on the 2 buttons) [total of 14 seconds]. that is it :

Empire city like spagonia, doesn't have platforming :

shamar also has a total of 30 seconds platforming :

Adabat and eggman land have a lot of platforming.

I love how you chose people who have obviously figured out paths through the level where they can keep boosting. There's a lot more platforming in the game that what the videos show. Not as much as Eggman or Adabat, but if you're not speedrunning, it's pretty fair amounts for a game like Unleashed.

Also there is no need to bold all of that.

But any ways None of them really shows the momentum of the classic games, it shows more Running speedy sections than slow platforming.

Neither does any 3D Sonic game, except Colors.

They're all generally focused on speed. They do have the momentum, a bit too much though.

the slower platforming is actually very tiny, Too Much Speed is gained at a very low cost of jumping on 2-3 platforms makes a racing game, not a sonic game.

Racing games: No jumping

Unleashed: Lots of jumping, even during the constant boost parts.

???

Does not compute.

Also that is the weirdest sentence ever. That is some terrible wording right there.

[turbojet]

I don't die in Act 1 of Rooftop Run, Chun-nan, Skyscraper Scamper, Windmill Isle, and Savannah Citadel. I can even pass a few Act 2 levels on a single run, and we all know those things are pretty hard. Cool Edge, Arid Sands, and Jungle Joyride (surprisingly the Act 1 DLC is EASIER!) always kill me.

In Cool Edge I tend to miss that final jump on the sled ride... I'm not too fond of the level anyway. Arid Sands requires precision that I just don't have so I die or get hit pretty often, I don't think I've ever got higher than a B... if that! Lastly, the water running in Jungle Joyride is pretty treacherous if you're bad at it, I always manage to get hit by this one falling tower, it never fails!!!

I'm telling you it can be done!

You are good at this game because you played it so many times. Of course, anybody who has played it so many times will be better at it. The point that I am trying to make is that no one in this board had an easy go with Sonic Unleashed without some practicing or some extreme trial and error. The diffilculty level is way too high and is pretty tough. Yes, it can be done, but it shouldn't be that hard to do. I shouldn't have to worry about missing one jump or turn and die for it.

@speedduelist, but you can't just mash the boost button and get things done, and there are definitly platform areas in every stage if you don't time everything right. You used speedruns to justify your point and I clearly said that the platforming sections exist if you don't make a perfect run. It may not had emphasized platforming as the other games, but it is definitly there. So yeah.

[speedduelist]

I love how you chose people who have obviously figured out paths through the level where they can keep boosting. There's a lot more platforming in the game that what the videos show. Not as much as Eggman or Adabat, but if you're not speedrunning, it's pretty fair amounts for a game like Unleashed.

Also there is no need to bold all of that.

Neither does any 3D Sonic game, except Colors.

They're all generally focused on speed. They do have the momentum, a bit too much though.

Racing games: No jumping

Unleashed: Lots of jumping, even during the constant boost parts.

???

Does not compute.

Also that is the weirdest sentence ever. That is some terrible wording right there.

speed wasn't free. you had to pay for it by Jumping slowly on platfoms or do other varieties , that is the fun of the classic games

sure, if you don't boost then you can Enjoy the tiny platforming a bit more in Unleashed, but if you boost, you will find Speed is completely Free, guess what you would chose.

its almost like a racing game, the Jumping is only need when you try to use the Homing attack, their is no Slow Platforming like the classic games.

Unleashed day time are just speed runs.

its not really just about platforming, its about constant thrilling, Sonic games are not suppose to be Roller coasters that Drops you from place to place every second.

Spring,Spring,boost,Homing attack,Run,boost at high speed,Qtes,Spring.

its a racing game with only QTES and bottomless pits to stop you (Bad QTES or Good QTES)

Sure,Fun. but their should be a part for speed and part for platforming, not a roller coaster game play Speed is Free Style and Break Every thing with the boost 80% of the stages.

[DistantJ]

Spagonia didn't include platforming at all

When did you last play this game? What about all the floating platforms up the clock tower, and the baloons? And the wall-kick sections?

Chunan had a tiny bit

Oh wait... You're using speedruns as an example of this? These guys do everything they can to skip out the platform sections. There's a tonne of platforming in Sonic Unleashed. Chun-Nan has an absolute tonne of it, and it's incredibly challenging.

shamar also has a total of 30 seconds platforming

Shamar has even more. There are some really difficult sections with flamethrowers, moving platforms etc. all throughout the level.

And you're not even counting the sub-acts which are like 75% platform challenge. Not to mention the Werehog levels which are platform & brawl levels with no speed.

Have you even played Unleashed? I get the feeling you've just watched videos of it. It's EXACTLY how the classics were - you get awesome speed sections as a reward for getting through challenging platforming sections. It's like that through the whole game and never falters. You're looking at speedrunner videos, people who intentionally find ways to skip out these sections. On top of that, the speed sections are quite a challenge to keep the speed going without falling or stopping, they're not just about watching Sonic power through them, it's about having the right reflexes to avoid the hazards, light dash across the right rings, homing attack the right enemies at the right time, it's very tough later on.

[Saint Nathan]

speed wasn't free. you had to pay for it by Jumping slowly on platfoms or do other varieties , that is the fun of the classic games

Uh.

What.

I'm not sure even what you're saying, but I do not remember much need to go slowly in... hell, any Sonic game. Sure, the need was there, but often enough you really were just running through the levels and jumping.

sure, if you don't boost then you can Enjoy the tiny platforming a bit more in Unleashed, but if you boost, you will find Speed is completely Free, guess what you would chose.

Once again, lies. Boosting in plenty of places in both Chun-Nan, Spagonia, Holoska, Adabat, Eggmanland, Empire City, and even APOTOS on a few parts can lead to death if you don't do things exactly right.

The videos you've been watching? Those are people purposefully going around the stage as fast as possible. It involves memorization of the level and pure luck. It is not a good example of normal gameplay.

its almost like a racing game, the Jumping is only need when you try to use the Homing attack, their is no Slow Platforming like the classic games.

Except in every single stage. Mazuri has a whole section of the level dedicated to platforming.

Unleashed day time are just speed runs.

Do you know what a speed run is?

A speed run is using every possible trick and amount of skill you have to get through a level faster than someone normally would.

The videos you used? Not normal people playing the game, they are people who focused on getting a certain time over a matter of weeks, possibly months. They more than likely memorized the stage layout.

its not really just about platforming, its about constant thrilling, Sonic games are not suppose to be Roller coasters that Drops you from place to place every second.

You mean like several of the places in Sonic 2 and 3?

Spring,Spring,boost,Homing attack,Run,boost at high speed,Qtes,Spring.

Yeah you have not played the HD version of the game. You don't know what you're talking about.

That is pretty much the Wii version though.

its a racing game with only QTES and bottomless pits to stop you (Bad QTES or Good QTES)

Also jumping.

And obstacles.

And the lack of a track.

And the different style of physics.

And nothing that makes it even close to being a racing game except running REALLY REALLY FAST.

Sure,Fun. but their should be a part for speed and part for platforming, not a roller coaster game play Speed is Free Style and Break Every thing with the boost 80% of the stages.

You boost the whole stage?

You fall off a cliff.

You boost half the stage? You might miss the cliff, and run into a wall.

Boosting the whole stage breaks nothing, and really it just makes you look like you suck at the game. Unless you're speed running, which normal people are not doing.

[turbojet]

Unless you're speed running, which normal people are not doing.

Lets be honest here. Speed running is fucking fun. It makes you look awesome and is a fantastic way to show off. My roommates know I suck at FPS games. Then I pop in Mirror's Edge or Sonic Unleashed. Show them that I kick ass in another genre completely and make it look easy. I hate NYC though. Fuck that stage.

[Ferno]

Lets be honest here. Speed running is fucking fun. It makes you look awesome and is a fantastic way to show off.

True, here's this speed run for example (Not me playing, I just wanted an excuse to post this awesome speedrun this guy did):

Deeeeewwwwd. That was tight. (Reference intended)

[Ebby]

True, here's this speed run for example (Not me playing, I just wanted an excuse to post this awesome speedrun this guy did):

Deeeeewwwwd. That was tight. (Reference intended)

Damn! I WISH I could do that. This level rapes the fuck out of me!

[Phos]

The platforming sections in Unleashed are typically small interludes that last a second or two with there usually only being a handful per stage. Aside from those that incorporate homing attack chains (which is another matter altogether), these platforming sections seldom incorporate any of the things the series is known for, typically just requiring Sonic to jump over some holes or between a few floating platforms. The classic games typically incorporated springs or level specific gimmicks directly into the more platforming oriented sections, which yielded a great deal of the speed the games were known for in the form of vertical speed or some other unconventional means (such as a series of tubes instead of a truck). The platforming in Unleashed seldom has those traits. That one platforming section from Shamar with the moving pillars looks more like something out of LittleBig Planet. They're also best handled as a set of inputs with a predetermined order and timing because the controls don't mesh very well during slower sections.

[speedduelist]

When did you last play this game? What about all the floating platforms up the clock tower, and the baloons? And the wall-kick sections?

this is platforming? homing attacking on balloons and wall jumping? platforming = jumping on platforming

careful platforming from the classic games = jumping on platforms fast to stop you from running quickly

[not a speed run]

Yay jumping on 4 platforms during the whole stage. platform heavy

i see only 1 part when sonic jumps on platforms.

I am not talking about the werehog levels. i am talking about the day stages, which is what topic is about.

and the sub acts are Extra acts unlockable.

the classic games had a good mix between speed and platforming. only speed runs could make platforming faster.

in Unleashed their isn't even enough platforming, only in adabat and eggman land.

[Saint Nathan]

this is platforming? homing attacking on balloons and wall jumping? platforming = jumping on platforming

careful platforming from the classic games = jumping on platforms fast to stop you from running quickly

Better tell Mario that his wall jumping and whenever he's not on a floating platform aren't platforming. He won't take it well, I promise you.

Also the platforming in Sonic games was made to complement, not hinder, speed.

i see only 1 part when sonic jumps on platforms.

Really? I see two, and several parts this guy skips because he knows the level incredibly well.

This is pretty much a speed run, you know? It shows every single sign of being one, except also a walkthrough.

I am not talking about the werehog levels. i am talking about the day stages, which is what topic is about.

and the sub acts are Extra acts unlockable.

Yet the extra acts are still daytime stages, so they count.

And they have so much platforming, you have no idea.

the classic games had a good mix between speed and platforming. only speed runs could make platforming faster.

in Unleashed their isn't even enough platforming, only in adabat and eggman land.

And to show that they have a good mix of speed and platforming, you choose the slowest and most annoying stage in Sonic 3 & Knuckles!

You can't determine Sonic Unleashed's quality from videos, because nobody is going to put one up of them not looking amazing at the game.

If you can find one of someone totally ordinary who has just started playing that game, that'll give you a better idea. Not someone who knows the level by heart.

[speedduelist]

platforming+Running+Springs+Jumping :

Boost+Springs+Homing Attack:

See the difference?

Edited October 2, 2010 by speedduelist

[Saint Nathan]

platforming+Running+Springs+Jumping :

Boost+Springs+Homing Attack:

See the difference?

I see a difference, yes. No fucking shit Unleashed doesn't have as much platforming as the classic games. That's more than obvious. Nobody is disagreeing with that.

But you have not played the game, correct? You're basing what you see on videos that are speed runs that purposefully skip the slower parts of the game. You don't seem to understand that part.

I've seen speedruns of the classic games that deteriorate Death Egg Zone into holding right and jumping three times. Speed runs turn every platformer into a shriveling mass of speed. Sonic Unleashed just has side paths for quicker completion that bypass the platforming so people can get higher times.

Play the game, the full game, from the very start, and then tell me that there isn't any platforming.

[speedduelist]

their isn't much platforming , 10% of Every Level has platforming (Except Eggman land and adabat).

and i don't even find the 'great 2.5d platforming in unleashed' people are talking about ever since colors was announced to have that

[Saint Nathan]

their isn't much platforming , 10% of Every Level has platforming (Except Eggman land and adabat).

and i don't even find the 'great 2.5d platforming in unleashed' people are talking about ever since colors was announced to have that

Because you have not played the game and based your opinion on videos that purposefully skip the platforming.

How many times will I have to repeat that?

[speedduelist]

I find Homing attack and boost during the whole stage so boring.

that is all

that is not even skillful. i miss the days when you had to put efforts in your speed runs while the levels are trying to kill you

good times.