IGN's Sonic Unleashed Head to Head Insider Article

Well, this blog post I am posting will include an Insider article from IGN about the comparisons of Sonic Unleashed.

For those who are still wondering on what version of the game they should get, here is what IGN says:

"December 12, 2008 - About The Head-to-Head
The Head-to-Head is designed to let gamers know which version of a multiplatform game is worth your hard-earned money. We break down each segment of a game, and then tell you which platform reigns supreme when the dust settles.

If there's one thing game fans can count on, it's Sega's willingness to take big risks. From racing to third person shooting elements, Sega has boldly experimented with the Sonic franchise in hopes of finding a way to modernize the series' once vibrant 2D gameplay. Sonic Unleashed is yet another departure, mixing the puzzle racing elements from Sonic and the Secret Rings with a button-mashing brawler where Sonic transforms into a rubber-armed Werehog. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game were developed from the ground up by Sega's Sonic Team, while the Wii and PlayStation 2 versions of the game were made by Dimps (of Sonic Rush for the DS fame). While the progression and level art are similar between each version, the PS2 and Wii versions have some unique level design and enemies, but otherwise the experience is similar to what you'll find on the PS3 and 360. For more on the game read Hilary Goldstein's review of the 360 version here, then take a look at Matt Casamassina's Wii and PS2 reviews.

So you're ready to ride with the hedgehog but aren't sure which version will be right for you? Keep reading to find out about all the major differences between each game!

Price Points
Sonic Unleashed will cost you $49.99 on the 360, PS3, and Wii. The PS2 version is only $29.99. There are no special editions or bonus swag for gamers who pre-ordered the title.

Content and Control
There are two prevailing gameplay styles across all versions of Sonic Unleashed. There are daytime levels where you'll steer Sonic through on-rails tracks focusing on ring collection, quick reactions, and enjoying the full-throttle Sonic experience the series is known for. Then there are the nighttime levels which have Sonic transforming into a slower Werehog who'll claw and brawl through a series of arenas and traditional platforming segments. In the PS3 and 360 version these two segments are connected by a hubworld in which Sonic, and his cuddly amnesiac friend Chip, talk to townfolk, collect hidden items and find portals to unlock new levels. The Wii and PS2 dispense with the 3D hubworld and offer a 2D map with conversation points featuring short dialogue boxes and a static 2D image of an NPC offering some friendly advice. The hubworld doesn't add much to the PS3 and 360 versions of the game, but having to fiddle around with 2D text boxes in between levels is tedious and disconnected. The PS3 version offers Trophy support to counter the 360's achievements.

The 360 and PS3 versions control equally well. You'll steer Sonic in the racing stages with the left stick, jump with the X/A button, perform homing attacks with the Square/X button, and slide under obstacles with the Circle/B button. You can also shift Sonic left or right with L1/R1 or the left and right bumpers. The game does a good job training players with an easy and unobtrusive tutorial stage, and you should be able to control Sonic with ease on both platforms. The Wii version offers the most variety in controls. You can play with the Wii remote and nunchuk, using the Classic controller, or with a good old GameCube controller for your diehards. The Wii and nunchuk configuration is fun during the racing levels. You'll steer with the analog stick, drift around tight turns (a la Mario Kart) with the Z button, and perform homing attacks with a simple but always satisfying shake of the Wii remote. During the Werehog sections of the game, you'll swing the remote and nunchuk to perform left paw and right paw attacks. This is initially fun, but quickly becomes repetitive since there isn't much variation in the core combat. Swinging the nunchuk to attack while also using the analog stick for movement can create some moderately frustrating moments as well. The PS2 version controls similarly to the PS3 and 360 versions.
Ultimately the PS3 and 360 versions offer a little more content with the 3D hubworlds and achievements/Trophies. The racing levels are most fun to control in the Wii version with the nifty waggle gesture for the homing attack, but the clunky gestural controls during the Werehog segments are more of a chore than the other versions. The PS3 and 360 versions offer the most consistent controls and the most content making them the winner in this category.

Overall
1. PS3 & Xbox 360
2. PS2
3. Wii

Presentation
Sonic Unleashed is a bright and cheery game with an impressive amount of environmental detail across all platforms. The different game environments are colorful and earnestly imaginative, spanning tropical islands and craggy Chinese-style mountain locales. The PS3 and 360 versions look terrific, but both have noticeable framerate issues that mar the otherwise terrific visuals. The 360 version runs most smoothly, but in the Werehog stages the engine chugs dramatically when more than seven or eight enemies are on screen at once. You'll frequently face off with 20 or more enemies at once and the framerate will drop noticeably, which can make it tough to properly time some of Sonic's combos. The PS3 version has the same framerate issues, but they happen even more frequently, sometimes even hitching as Sonic enters a new room, which I didn't experience at all in the 360 version. The PS3 version also has some hitching and dropped frames in the racing segments that didn't happen in the 360 version. Neither version is a shining example of framerate stability, but the 360 runs just a bit more smoothly. There is also no install on the PS3, in case you're averse to waiting the extra 5-10 minutes to start playing after you get your game.

The Wii version is the next best looking with a mostly steady framerate and some nicely detailed character models. Environments, especially the daytime racing stages, are big and detailed. Textures look pretty lackluster when you come to a full stop, but they present quite nicely in motion. The game is dramatically aliased, however, especially when playing in 480p. You'll see jaggies everywhere, which is disappointing. The PS2 version is a downscaled version of the Wii game. The character models are less detailed, the color palate is dull and muddy, and the aliasing issue is even worse. The PS2 version does support progressive scan, which is nice.

Aside from the hub world issue, the menu layouts are similar and intuitive across all versions. The Wii game allows you to use the Wii remote pointer to navigate menus, which is a nice touch. Ultimately, the 360 version looks and runs the best. The PS3 is pretty, but technically inconsistent. The Wii version looks decent for the system, but the jaggy image is a disappointment.

Overall
1. Xbox 360
2. PS3
3. Wii
4. PS2

The Verdict
Sonic Unleashed is a pretty similar experience across all four platforms. The racing sections are good fun in every version. It looks fantastic on the 360 and PS3, but controls best on Wii with the simple amusement of waggle homing attacks. The Werehog stages are equally plodding on all platforms, but the Wii version is the least enjoyable with its jumbled motion controls for melee attacks that exacerbates the repetitive nature of the combat.

The 360 version looks and runs the best. It offers the most consistently intuitive control scheme making it my choice for the overall best version. The PS3 version is the next best bet with the same great visuals and control scheme, but a much more variable framerate. The Wii version is fun and younger gamers might enjoy the motion controls in short bursts, but the less detailed visuals and inconsistent controls take it down a notch. The PS2 version controls as well as the 360 and PS3 games, but the visuals are a dramatic downgrade from the Wii version. Ultimately, the 360 version offers the most consistently rewarding and technically stable Sonic of them all.

Overall
1. Xbox 360
2. PS3
3. Wii
4. PS2"

Well, there is all there is to it. Thank you for time.