History YMMV / SonicUnleashed

* DisappointingLastLevel: Eggmanland is reviled [[BrokenBase by some]] for its insane difficulty and [[MarathonLevel nearly 20 minute long length]], both of which combine to make a level that can take almost an hour and is very probe to draining your lives. That being said, the [[VideoGames/AwesomeBosses boss fights against Egg Dragoon and Dark Gaia]] compensate it.

* DisappointingLastLevel: Eggmanland is reviled [[BrokenBase by some]] for its insane difficulty and [[MarathonLevel nearly 20 minute long length]], both of which combine to make a level that can take almost an hour and is very probe to draining your lives. That being said, the [[SugarWiki/AwesomeBosses boss fights against Egg Dragoon and Dark Gaia]] compensate it.

* DisappointingLastLevel: Eggmanland is reviled [[BrokenBase by some]] for its insane difficulty and [[MarathonLevel nearly 20 minute long length]], both of which combine to make a level that can take almost an hour and is very probe to draining your lives. That being said, the [[AwesomeBosses boss fights against Egg Dragoon and Dark Gaia]] compensate it.

* DisappointingLastLevel: Eggmanland is reviled [[BrokenBase by some]] for its insane difficulty and [[MarathonLevel nearly 20 minute long length]], both of which combine to make a level that can take almost an hour and is very probe to draining your lives. That being said, the [[AwesomeBoss boss fights against Egg Dragoon and Dark Gaia compensate it.

* DisappointingLastLevel: Eggmanland is reviled [[BrokenBase by some]] for its insane difficulty and [[MarathonLevel nearly 20 minute long length]], both of which combine to make a level that can take almost an hour and is very probe to draining your lives, with Dark Gaia frequently considered one of the worst final bosses in the series.

* EvilIsCool: [[ArchEnemy Dr. Eggman]]. Despite being hit with BadassDecay in his personality, he still manages to successfully bait Sonic into a trap, use a massive laser to crack the planet open like an [[{{Pun}} egg]], and finally construct [[{{Egopolis}} Eggmanland]], a massive AmusementParkOfDoom that he's been dreaming of since ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure''.

* EvilIsCool: [[ArchEnemy Dr. Eggman]]. Despite being hit with BadassDecay in his personality, he still manages to successfully bait Sonic into a trap, use a massive laser to crack the planet open like an [[{{Pun}} egg]], and finally construct [[Egopolis Eggmanland]], a massive AmusementParkOfDoom that he's been dreaming of since ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure''.

* BadassDecay: This game is given flack for the cutscene where Tails gets scared by some Nightmares, despite being able to fight off threats like them in past games. It's also blamed for starting a trend that would go on for many years up to ''VideoGame/SonicForces''.

** Jungle Joyride Day Act 1 in the HD version is to this game what "Final Rush" was to ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'', being a very challenging, but fun level that has you run at the speed of sound through lush jungles, above sparkling blue waters and at the end, across large and sprawling temples. The pumping music helps keep the intensity through the stage. This stage can be ThatOneLevel for newcomers due to a mixture of precise platforming, awkward water sections and framerate issues (which isn't as much of a problem when played on the UsefulNotes/XboxOne or UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesXAndS, which ramps up the framerate) but when mastered, it can truly be well, a "[[{{Pun}} joyride]]".

** Do yourself a favor, ''don't'' ask the online fanbase if this game is good or not. Another point of contention is UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}/[[UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 PS2]], with many arguments over whether the game is better than the HD version, not as good but good in its own right, or an abomination that never should have been made. The only thing that is agreed upon amongst the fandom is that the Wii/[=PS2=] version handles the sun/moon medal collecting far better than the HD version did, as it simply rewards you with them upon completing a level instead of them having to be found within levels. Some reviewers such as WebVideo/ExoParadigmGamer and LetsPlay/ClementJ642 have made the case that a great game could have been made by combining the best features of the Wii and HD versions.

* HePannedItNowHeSucks: IGN and Gamespot gave ''VideoGame/SonicUnleashed'' for the UsefulNotes/Xbox360 and UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 a 4.5 and 3.5, respectively, which attracted widespread backlash from many ''Sonic'' fans, who were quick to accuse both outlets of being unfair and negatively biased towards the game (to the point that IGN's Youtube video of the review has ''20k'' dislikes over 1.4k likes). It didn't help that the scores they gave to ''Unleashed'' are lower than the ones they gave to the infamous ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006'' (which got a 4.8 and 4.0 from IGN and Gamespot respectively), which even fans who disliked ''Unleashed'' thought was too harsh. The "inferior" UsefulNotes/PlayStation2[=/=]UsefulNotes/{{Wii}} version (by Dimps of ''VideoGame/SonicRush'' fame), however, got a 7.0 from both (though they were done by different reviewers).

** The UsefulNotes/Xbox360 version of the game was added to the backwards compatibility list for the UsefulNotes/XboxOne, and it's been reported that the emulated version has fewer framerate issues than on the original hardware.
** And all this goes double for UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesX, which is running the game without any lag reported in areas where the 360 version lagged the most, in addition to loading times being heavily reduced due to the console's SSD technology. This is most easily seen in Eggmanland, where [[https://twitter.com/JMotion0/status/1326383176890142720 the transitions between the Sonic and Werehog sections of the stage are now pretty much seamless]]. And now, a patch was added that allows the game to run at 60fps on the Series X with breathtaking results. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nZx4Oy4Uag Even Jungle Joyride runs like a dream!]]

** Unlike the Xbox 360 version, which was rereleased natively on Xbox One and Series X, The UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 version was not so lucky, instead being rereleased on the UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 and UsefulNotes/PlayStation5 through [=PlayStation=] Now, meaning it is streamed from cloud instead of running natively. To put it bluntly, combining the unreliable and unpredictable nature of internet cloud gaming and the already major performance problems of ''Unleashed'' results in a miserable experience that is filled with frequent input lag, screen tearing, occasional crashing and additional performance issues on top of the performance issues that are already present in ''Unleashed''. Unsurprisingly, it is widely considered by most to be the worst way to play ''Unleashed'' amongst the ways to play it.

* ScrewedByTheLawyers: "Endless Possibility" is not included on any music streaming services likely due to legal issues surrounding Jaret Reddick's vocals.

* DarthWiki/MostAnnoyingSound: The [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic soundtrack]] is excellent, as per Sonic standards. The battle theme that plays for every single regular Werehog fight is, in and of itself, perfectly fine as a bopping jazz band piece. The problem is we mean ''every single time''; be prepared to hear the opening trumpets and recognize that intro drum piece from the dozen or more times it plays ''per level''. The result was it being one of the most infamous songs in the entire franchise.

*** The Wii version of Eggmanland, particularly the time trial mission in the daytime level, mainly due to one part where you go through a 90-degree turn followed by a long winding bridge. It is extremely easy to fall off due to the small amount of ground and no walls surrounding the area, and if you fall even a single time, you can pretty much kiss your run goodbye.

* PortingDisaster: Unlike the Xbox 360 version, which was rereleased natively on Xbox One and Series X, The UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 version was not so lucky, instead being rereleased on the UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 and UsefulNotes/PlayStation5 through [=PlayStation=] Now, meaning it is streamed from cloud instead of running natively. To put it bluntly, combining the unreliable and unpredictable nature of internet cloud gaming and the already major performance problems of ''Unleashed'' results in a miserable experience that is filled with frequent input lag, screen tearing, occasional crashing and additional performance issues on top of the performance issues that are already present in ''Unleashed''. Unsurprisingly, it is widely considered by most to be the worst way to play ''Unleashed'' amongst the ways to play it.

* JustHereForGodzilla: Most people play this game for the daytime stages.

** In the Wii/PS2 version, Jungle Joyride Day of all things is this. Both sections it's sandwiched between, Jungle Joyride Night and Eggmanland Day, are long, difficult, and have several tricky jumps that are incredibly easy to screw up. In contrast, Jungle Joyride Day is a short straightforward level with a few obstacles, with the only challenge being if you're going for the S rank. Even then, it's much easier to S rank than the previous stage Arid Sands, and the final level, Eggmanland.
** Also in the Wii/PS2 version is Dragon Road Day, which is the easiest day stage in the game to S rank by far. Helping matters is the multitude of shortcuts and alternate paths for Sonic to take, allowing him plenty of opportunities to cut down on time.

* HePannedItNowHeSucks: IGN and Gamespot gave ''VideoGame/SonicUnleashed'' for the UsefulNotes/Xbox360 and UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 a 4.5 and 3.5, respectively, which attracted widespread backlash from many ''Sonic'' fans, who were quick to accuse both outlets of being unfair and negatively biased towards the game (to the point that IGN's Youtube video of the review has ''20k'' dislikes over 1.4k likes). It didn't help that the scores they gave to ''Unleashed'' are lower than the ones they gave to the infamous ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006'' (which got a 4.8 and 4.0 from IGN and Gamespot respectively), which even fans who disliked ''Unleashed'' thought was too harsh. The "inferior" UsefulNotes/PlayStation2[=/=]UsefulNotes/{{Wii}} version (by Dimps of ''[[VideoGame/SonicRushSeries Sonic Rush]]'' fame), however, got a 7.0 from both (though they were done by different reviewers).

** Dragon Road Day Act 1 is often regarded as being one of the best daytime stages in the game, due to its Chinese theming, memorable set pieces, gorgeous visuals, having a good mix of platforming and speed and of course, it's [[https://youtu.be/n12UKd_45ew fantastic music]].

* CharacterRerailment: After being [[{{Flanderization}} flanderized]] into an overly obbessive ClingyJealousGirl since the mid-2000s, Amy's more heartfelt and caring traits are made more promiment again in this game, with barely a sign of the clingy and aggressive traits she showcased in the early-to-mid 2000s.

* VindicatedByHistory: The game was subjected to mixed to negative reception back in 2008, with the Werehog in particular catching a ton of heat. It reviewed poorly enough that it was among the games Sega de-listed to help rehabilitate the brand in 2010. While the game remains heavily divisive in the years that followed, it isn't uncommon to find more defenders towards ''Unleashed'', celebrating the game's creativity and production values, graphics that hold up well today, the varied and excellent soundtrack, and a plot that is generally considered solid. Nowadays, the title often comes up in HD Remaster and PC Port requests, especially after the release of remasters and PC Ports of other [=PS3=]/360 SEGA titles that were released at the same time as ''Unleashed'', such as ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Vanquish}}'', ''VideoGame/ValkyriaChronicles'', and ''VideoGame/ResonanceOfFate''. The game was even relisted and rereleased to retail stores after being delisted in early 2010. As a sign of the game's changing perception, IGN, who had previously gave the HD release a 4.5 score when it came out in 2008, would give the game the number 10 spot on their ''The 10 Best Sonic Games'' video in 2022.

* TaintedByThePreview: When the Werehog was leaked, many fans and even professional sites basically screamed "WHAT THE EFF, SONIC TEAM".