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1[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/mv5bmgi3ntrlmdatmduxyi00yzm3ltk2ztatzgy5mjqxmdcymmjmxkeyxkfqcgdeqxvynzawmjyxmza_v1_fmjpg_ux1000.jpg]]
2[[caption-width-right:350:''[[{{Tagline}} The difference is night and day.]]'']]
3
4->'''Tails:''' ''That's'' a new look. What happened?\
5'''Sonic the Werehog:''' You know me. Never a dull moment.
6
7''Sonic Unleashed'' is a console game in the ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' series for the Platform/{{Xbox 360}}, Platform/PlayStation3, Platform/{{Wii}}, and Platform/PlayStation2. It was released on November 18, 2008.
8
9MadScientist [[BigBad Dr. Eggman]] has a new plan to TakeOverTheWorld: using the Chaos Emeralds to release a titanic abomination called Dark Gaia [[SealedEvilInACan from its imprisonment]], then building his new empire on the ensuing ruins.
10
11[[YouCantThwartStageOne Eggman is successfully able to capture Sonic, drain the Chaos Emeralds of their energy, and use them to power]] [[WaveMotionGun a big honking laser beam]] that awakens Dark Gaia and [[WorldSundering shatters Earth into seven pieces]]. However, this plan has an unintended side effect: caught at the source of the blast, Sonic is bathed in negative energy and develops an awkward case of [[OurWerebeastsAreDifferent lycanthropy]].
12
13[[CursedWithAwesome Cursed into the form of a "Werehog"]] and cast down to the fragmented surface, Sonic must now do what he does best: foil Dr. Eggman by recharging the Chaos Emeralds and putting the world back together one continent at a time. Helping him is Chip, a small critter with amnesia and a mysterious connection to Dark Gaia.
14
15''Unleashed'' is actually technically two games -- the version released on [=Xbox=] 360 and [=PlayStation 3=] was developed by Sonic Team, while the [=PlayStation=] 2 and Wii versions were developed by handheld ''Sonic'' developer Dimps. While they both share the same story, similar (but not identical) gameplay mechanics, and level names and themes, the actual design of the levels, as well as the way the player progresses from one to the next, is different between the two versions.
16
17The gameplay of the daytime stages would be carried over to the Wii version of its sequel ''VideoGame/SonicColors'', which many describe as "''Sonic Unleashed'' minus night stages."
18
19This game was eventually released in Japan as ''Sonic World Adventure'', which was the former localized title for the game before the name change.
20
21''Sonic Unleashed'' has an accompanying short called ''WebAnimation/SonicNightOfTheWerehog''.
22----
23!!What do you figure ''that'' was all about? The hair, and those arms, and... and look at the tropes!
24* EleventhHourSuperpower: In the climax of the game, Chip, [[spoiler:using his restored powers as Light Gaia, summons the Gaia Temples around the world to form a CombiningMecha called the Gaia Colossus, which becomes vital in the fight against the restored Dark Gaia]].
25* AWildRapperAppears: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td1XgkybCdo&t=150 Endless Possibilities]] has Jaret Reddick interrupt himself with a rap verse.
26* AbsentMindedProfessor: Subverted with Professor Pickle. He is set up to be this early on when he is first introduced, as he shows concern about the quality of the sandwiches than by being kidnapped and than nearly setting off to [[SkewedPriorities file a complain to the "chef"]] after getting rescued… that is, until Tails reminds him that there are more important factors at stake, after which he immediately stops being scatterbrained and becomes a lot more [[BunnyEarsLawyer serious and competent]], which he remains for the rest of the game.
27* ActionCommands: This game marked their introduction to the ''Sonic'' series. The two Tornado Defense missions are meant to get you used to the button inputs, and there are several points in each level where you input several buttons in a row to perform tricks and reach higher ground. They're also a fast and efficient way to instantly kill enemies in Werehog stages, as well as racking up points in said stages.
28* ActionFilmQuietDramaScene: For all the fast-paced action throughout ''Unleashed'', there's several engaging character interactions between Sonic and Chip, [[spoiler:with the most compelling probably being Chip revealing his true identity as Light Gaia]].
29* ActionGame: The Werehog controls much like {{Action Game}}s such as ''VideoGame/GodOfWar''.
30* AdaptationDistillation: While Mazuri does appear in the Wii/[=PS2=] version, only the Egg Beetle boss remains intact, with both the day and night stages for Savannah Citadel getting cut out. In regards to how they enter Eggman's facility to rescue Professor Pickle, instead of having to go through a whole stage, the game simplifies it to them finding a random mysterious hole in Mazuri's hub that [[ContrivedCoincidence just so happens to lead to the facility]].
31* AdaptedOut: Empire City (and by extension, Skyscraper Scamper) has also been cut out entirely from the Wii/[=PS2=] version. Savannah Citadel (both day and night) was cut out as well, with Mazuri only housing the town, Gaia Temple, and Egg Beetle boss.
32* AlliterativeName: '''P'''rofessor '''P'''ickle.
33* AllThereInTheManual: It's never explained in-game exactly why Sonic transformed into the Werehog, but the instruction manual actually contains some insight into this. It turns out, when Eggman used the Chaos Emeralds to unseal Dark Gaia, Dark Gaia and the Emeralds became linked. Due to Sonic's close proximity to the Emeralds at the time, he absorbed some of Dark Gaia's energy. Since Dark Gaia is shown to only affect people at night, this is why Sonic only transforms when the sun goes down. This also explains why Dark Gaia absorbed some dark energy from Sonic to gain power, removing the Werehog transformation.
34* AllThereInTheScript: Dr. Eggman's robot assistant is [[https://web.archive.org/web/20150420001337/http://www.bumbleking.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1003&start=90 named]] SA-55, which is LeetLingo for "sass", which refers to his overall sassy and occasionally cheeky behaviour. The name was never brought up in-game or in guides until 2021's ''[[AllThereInTheManual Sonic the Hedgehog Encyclo-speed-ia]]'', and ''VideoGame/SonicColors'' introduced Orbot as either a [[SuddenNameChange rename]] or [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute substitute]].
35* AllTheWorldsAreAStage: Eggmanland is a giant gauntlet of some of the most difficult platforming challenges from both the Sonic and Werehog sections, including most of the game's enemies, a bobsled-esque portion like one from earlier in the game, a skydiving section, and generally recalls all your abilities that you've needed to use.
36* AmbiguousGender: According to the [[ShesAManInJapan Japanese]] [[AllThereInTheManual Sonic Channel]], Chip's sex is listed as "[[MyNameIsQuestionMarks ???]]" (along with [[CartoonCreature species]] and [[VagueAge age]]). Though likely unintentional on the developer's part, [[spoiler:this may be alluding to Chip's true nature as an immortal, benevolent demigod of light.]]
37* AmusementParkOfDoom: [[spoiler:[[TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon Eggmanland]] clearly has the amusement park aesthetic down-pat, but [[CircusOfFear its dreary and oppressive atmosphere]] (somehow managing to be both [[BrightIsNotGood bright and colorful]] yet [[EvilIsNotWellLit dark and gloomy]] ''at the same time'') and [[NoOSHACompliance the sheer dangerousness of the place]] make the "doom" part of the trope abundantly clear. And this isn't even getting into the inner depths of the facility, [[MalevolentArchitecture which any OSHA inspector would weep in fury]] upon bearing witness to.]]
38* AndYourRewardIsEdible: The Chili Dogs that are obtainable from the Don Fachio Hot Dog Vendors upon successful completion of the missions they offer.
39* AntiFrustrationFeatures:
40** Because of the faster pace of the day stages and increased amount of reflex-based hazards, Sonic only loses half of his rings per hit, unless he has less than 40. Plus, rings are incredibly easy to come by (boosting through them will automatically pull them towards you).
41** [[spoiler:Eggmanland in the HD version is considered to be one of the most difficult and longest levels in the ''entire franchise''.]] Despite that, numerous extra lives are very easy to find (sometimes being given one right after a checkpoint) to make sure you don't game over and have to start the stage over.
42* AntiPoopSocking: In the Wii and [=PS2=] versions of the game, every time you finish a few levels, you will be explicitly asked to confirm whether you want to keep playing.
43* ArtEvolution: ''Unleashed'' brings a major overhaul to the series' art style, from realistically rendered worlds with cartoon anthropomorphic animals in them, to stylized backgrounds to better match the characters. The humans are a lot more stylized and cartoony than they were in previous games. Sonic himself also got a slight redesign, shortening his limbs and quills that create a look that bridges the gap between his classic and modern designs.
44* AsideGlance: Sonic and Chip both do this at some points. One such example, at the very start of the game:
45-->'''Sonic:'''(turns to face the audience) Uh-oh, did I fall on him?
46* AsLongAsItSoundsForeign: Pretty obviously used with the hub worlds. They're all clear expies of real-world locations, and their names (and the names of the people in them) sound stereotypically appropriate of said locations, yet they don't really mean anything. [[spoiler:'''Eggmanland''' is the only exception, as that name could not be any more self-explanatory.]]
47* AttackItsWeakPoint: The goal for boss battles.
48* AwardBaitSong: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEGKcWHqhZQ Dear My Friend]] by Brent Cash.
49* BatmanGambit: Dr. Eggman pulls an '''''epic''''' one against Super Sonic in the intro cutscene. He manipulates Sonic by leading him to the center of his earth-shattering cannon, traps him, and then, with his Chaos-energy-altering machinery, '''forcibly takes Sonic out of his super form'''. He then uses the energy to crack open the planet and awaken an ancient evil to control it and the world. Unfortunately, it goes south fast.
50* BeatTheCurseOutOfHim: An indirect example. The way exorcisms are handled involves taking a picture of whoever is possessed at nighttime, forcing the demon possessing them out while the victim goes unconscious, and then having Sonic in his Werehog form beat the living tar out of them. [[note]]It's indirect because all of the violence is directed towards the monsters themselves, rather than the people being possessed by the monsters.[[/note]]
51* BeehiveBarrier: The Egg Devil Ray is covered by this; only the Sonic Boost can break through.
52* BigApplesauce: Empire City, a location exclusive to the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions, is based off of New York City.
53* BigBadEnsemble: Dr. Eggman and Dark Gaia. [[spoiler:Though the latter takes the role of BigBad at the end.]]
54* BigEater:
55** Chip is able to try all kinds of food during his adventure with Sonic. He {{lampshade|Hanging}}s both this and BottomlessBladder: "I get hungry so easily! I wonder where it all goes..."
56** In one cutscene, Eggman downs an entire sub sandwich pretty much in the span of being offscreen for about two seconds.
57* BigNo:
58** Sonic in his Werehog form lets one out when he plummets towards Windmill Isle shortly after the forcefield surrounding him disappears.
59** Sonic says another one at the end of the game when [[spoiler:he plummets towards Windmill Isle following Dark Gaia's demise]].
60** If you finish a daytime stage with a C-rank (in the Wii/[=PS2=] version) or E-Rank (in the Xbox 360/[=PS3=] version), Sonic will exclaim this in the results screen.
61* BigOlEyebrows: Professor Pickle. So big, in fact, that they completely hide his eyes.
62* BigShutUp: Eggman screams this [[spoiler:at the end when SA-55 (inadvertantly) [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech rips him a new one]] over his defeat.]]
63* BlindIdiotTranslation: In the original, when Eggman attempts to pull an ISurrenderSuckers at the beginning of the game, Sonic tells him that he isn't fooling anyone so he should stop it with his pointless tricks. This was mistranslated as Sonic saying that he wouldn't break his stuff if he "played nice" since the beginning. Later in the same scene, upon seeing Sonic's transformation into the Werehog, Eggman calls his new form amusing. The dub bafflingly translated this as him calling it "festive" instead.
64* BlockPuzzle:
65** Occurs frequently in the Nighttime stages.
66** The entire point of the Shamar boss, Dark Guardian, in the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions (the Wii and [=PS2=] versions turn it into a straightforward slugfest).
67* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler:Surprisingly equal on both the bitter and sweet sides of the spectrum. Dark Gaia is defeated, Eggman's plans are foiled, the planet is put back to normal, and Sonic is cured of his Werehog affliction, but Chip, as a requirement to his duty as Light Gaia, is sealed back inside of the planet along with Dark Gaia, leaving behind his bracelet for Sonic to find and keep.]]
68* BookEnds: Not only does the game start and end with the end of one adventure and the beginning of a new one but the first and last non-CGI cutscene before TheStinger end up with Sonic crashing head first into Windmill Isle.
69* BossBanter: Eggman, as per usual. The Xbox 360 and [=PS3=] version also have the Little Fighters that pilot the Egg Devil Ray and Egg Lancer.
70* BossInMookClothing: Titans can be this due to their devastating attacks, high health, and near-immunity to flinching. The [[LightningBruiser red ones]] are even worse.
71* BossOnlyLevel: Savannah Citadel, a full level in the [=PS3=]60 version, is only used in the Wii and [=PS2=] version for the Egg Beetle boss.
72* BreakingTheFourthWall:
73** In the Playstation 3/Xbox 360 version of the game, Sonic blatantly looks at the score panel for his overall rank on the end of mission results, and reacts accordingly. He also glances towards the screen a few times in cutscenes.
74** He does this in the Playstation 2/Wii version as well. If you play as the Werehog, however, whether he rejoices or turns around and slumps onto the floor in a brief hissyfit depends on your end of stage ranking.
75** In the first (or second, if you count the intro) cutscene, when he finds out Chip has amnesia, he basically does this:
76-->'''Sonic:''' Uh oh.\
77''([[AsideGlance He turns to the camera]])''\
78'''Sonic:''' Did I fall on him?
79* ButtMonkey: Eggman, of all people. He comes dangerously close to winning and even [[spoiler:successfully builds Eggmanland (a goal he's had in mind since ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure''), ]]only to be repeatedly beaten and humiliated by Sonic due to oversights in his planning that come back to bite him in the ass. Making matters worse, his own robotic assistant continuously mocks him and reminds him of his failures:
80-->'''SA-55:''' [[spoiler:Pleasant morning, wouldn't you say, Doctor? You can simply begin your plans anew. [[AllForNothing Even if all of your efforts this last time were utterly wasted.]] Even if it was a complete and humiliating loss. Even the most pathetic loser in all the world will surely have his chance to—]]
81-->'''Eggman:''' [[spoiler:Oh, '''[[BigShutUp SHUT UP!]]''']]
82* CerebusSyndrome: This game may be more lighthearted than previous entries, with the artstyle, vibe, and overall tone lending themselves to a more cartoonish atmosphere, but the stakes are very clearly raised as the game reaches its climax. Chip discovering [[spoiler:his identity as Light Gaia in Adabat]] is the point when it stops being a "Roadtrip between two friends" type of story and is treated more like a world-saving crisis.
83* CheckPointStarvation: In the HD versions of the game, one mission involves getting to the end of Eggmanland, a NintendoHard stage that indeed is comparable to those of the old 8-bit games -- without any usable checkpoints and with a time limit. It is also by far the longest stage in the game, considering the time limit is 45 minutes.
84* ClingyJealousGirl: Amy Rose, though this aspect of hers is very much toned down in comparison to previous games.
85* CollisionDamage: Averted. The enemies have to actually attack you to cause damage, with the exception of [[TheSpiny enemies that generate electricity]].
86* CombatTentacles: Dark Gaia has several of them, [[spoiler:not that he uses them during the actual fight.]]
87* ConceptArtGallery: [[GottaCatchThemAll Unlocked piece by piece.]]
88* ConsultingMisterPuppet: An NPC, Wentos, in the [=PS3=]/360 version of the game, has a Chao puppet that helps him overcome his shyness and generally speaks for him while he is still too shy to interact with others.
89* ContinuingIsPainful: As per tradition with most modern ''Sonic'' games, dying in a level resets your points, which can be a major blow if you're trying to rank well, especially after passing through a checkpoint, in which the level timer will not go back.
90* ContinuityNod:
91** In his idle animation, Sonic lies down a la ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2'', and at the start of some levels in the Playstation 3/Xbox 360 version, he stretches his legs a la ''VideoGame/SonicAdvance2''.
92** [[invoked]] Also, in the [=Wii/PS2=] version, there's an NPC who compliments Sonic's eyes, then remarks "They don't change color, do they?" Could be a subtle TakeThat against people who complained about [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks Sonic having green eyes]] from ''Sonic Adventure'' onward or merely a lampshading that Sonic's eyes ''do'' change colour — from green in his normal form, to [[RedEyesTakeWarning red]] when he transforms into Super Sonic.
93** Three [=NPCs=] from the Eggmanland hub world, the EF-[=MD1991=], EF-[=DC1998=], and EF-[=XB2006=], reference the years of release and some of the consoles for ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog1 Sonic 1]]'', ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'', and ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006''.
94* ConvectionSchmonvection: A good portion of [[spoiler:Eggmanland]] takes place over lava, which Sonic seems to have no qualms about standing ten feet over.
95* TheCorrupter: Dark Gaia's energy has a way of corrupting the planet's inhabitants one way or another. Citizens that are possessed by the minions have their personalities flipped over or disoriented. Special mention goes to Sonic and the guardian of Chun-nan's Gaia temple, who both become corrupted physically. While Sonic's sanity is left intact, the guardian is BrainwashedAndCrazy.
96* CosmicHorrorReveal: Like with most ''Sonic'' games from this decade. However, while most ''Sonic'' games of this decade would sprinkle hints of these Lovecraftian elements throughout the story before showing off the monster some time around the climax, ''Unleashed'' subverts this by dropping the FinalBoss within the first five minutes. It's not seen again or fought [[spoiler:until the climax when it's reached the peak of its power,]] but the player now knows what to expect as they go through the game.
97* CosyCatastrophe: The game begins with the Earth getting fractured and split into several pieces by an EldritchAbomination who threatens to drown all life on the planet in absolute darkness. Despite such an apocalyptic event, all the cities and locales you visit across the world don't seem any worse for wear.
98* CrateExpectations: There are some here and there, used for pressing switches and hurling at enemies. Some of said crates are even ''explosive''.
99* CursedWithAwesome: Sonic is transformed into the hedgehog equivalent of a werewolf while retaining his mind and personality. He loses his trademark SuperSpeed, but makes up for it with raw physical power.
100* DamnYouMuscleMemory: If you've trained yourself to instinctively press the jump button in midair near an enemy, you may have to readjust yourself, since the homing attack was moved to share the same button as the boost in the [=PS3=]/Xbox 360 versions.
101* DarkIsNotEvil: Although Sonic has the same personality in his fierce-looking werehog form, where he is coated in a far darker shade of blue, this is only because of his [[HeroicWillpower strong heart]].
102* DarkIsEvil: All other characters influenced by Dark Gaia become either evil or depressed at night, although a few possessed citizens simply reverse their personalities, making laid-back, meek characters manic and cheerful instead.
103* DateRapeAverted: A G-rated version of this trope. Werehog Sonic stops Professor Pickle's possessed assistant from harassing Amy.
104* DeadpanSnarker: SA-55 takes every opportunity to snark at Eggman when things go wrong, much to Eggman's annoyance.
105* DemonicPossession: Some of the townsfolk become possessed by Dark Gaia at nighttime, either making them depressed, evil, or have some other personality unusual from their normal selves. You can perform 'exorcisms' on them by giving 'em a flash with your camera and then "expel Dark Gaia from their hearts" by defeating waves of Dark Gaia enemies who suddenly appear.
106* DevelopersForesight:
107** Along with the Hedgehog Engine, designed to make the lighting look as great as possible, Sonic Team also went to a lot of effort to make the animations look smooth. This included minor animations that didn't matter to the game but were pretty cool to be there in the first place. For example, when Sonic walks up to a set of stairs, he will put one leg onto the step in front of him. His idle animations even work with it.
108** The NPC characters in the hubs are also surprisingly well fleshed-out, and have their own subplots and sidequests, some of which span over the entire globe (Hualin from Chun-Nan leaves her village to do something other than make meat buns for the rest of her life, Eric and his wife visit Chun-Nan after it gets restored, Samara from Shamar gets hopelessly lost looking for her home country, etc). If you care to, you can end up doing a whole lot of rather pointless things that amount to little in the overall plot, but still have self-contained meaning.
109** In Eggmanland on the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 version, if you attempt doing the second Werehog segment (the balance beam pipes) as the Hedgehog, the path to the next area will be blocked by a laser grid with an extra life in front of it.
110* DidNotThinkThisThrough: Eggman planned on awakening Dark Gaia to control its power, but did so too early, which kickstarts the plot of the game. Even if he waited until the appropriate time (and that happened to be within his lifetime), he would still have to take into account [[spoiler:Light Gaia's]] role of defeating it.
111* DieChairDie: The Werehog is actually rewarded after missions based on how many orbs (Dark Gaia Force) he collects, much of which can be obtained from destroying random scenery.
112* DiggingYourselfDeeper: When SA-55 snarks about how Eggman's plan is currently failing:
113-->'''Eggman:''' That was... err... all part of my plan! Part of the big picture! Where's the fun in having my plans succeed without any challenge?!
114-->'''SA-55:''' '''''...'''''
115* DiscardAndDraw: The Werehog transformation appears to strip Sonic of his iconic SuperSpeed, but in exchange it grants him SuperStrength and ExtendableLimbs
116* DoesNotLikeSpam: Chip really dislikes spicy food and he and Sonic, of course, hates eating anything from Eggmanland. Curiously, Sonic's very low EXP gainage from (presumably nutritious) fish and seafood strongly implies that he hates both.
117* DoubleJump: Sonic the Werehog can double jump.
118* DramaticThunder: Shown when you first actually meet Dark Gaia.
119* DubNameChange:
120** Interestingly enough, Windmill Isle, Savannah Citadel, Rooftop Run, and Arid Sands were originally called White Island, Clay Castle, Orange Roofs, and Hot Desert respectively in the original Japanese release before getting completely changed to the former names in the English localization. The other zone names were simply translated as is.
121** The [[spoiler:Gaia Colossus was originally called the Temple Giant in Japan]].
122* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: In regards to the games using the boost formula, the English version is the only one to use the English voice cast that started with Creator/FourKidsEntertainment's dub of ''Anime/SonicX''; starting from ''VideoGame/SonicColors'', all but Creator/MikePollock would be replaced and largely become the standard for the rest of the boost formula titles.
123* EarthShatteringKaboom: Basically the result of Eggman's big laser in the opening -- although unusually for this trope, all of the planet's continents are wholly intact, atmosphere and all, merely floating a mile or so higher above the planet's core than usual. In addition, while this trope usually entails killing everyone on the planet, here absolutely nobody is worse for the wear, still living peacefully on the surface; the only issue is some earthquakes here and there, and the gaps between the floating continents being difficult to surmount without air transport. Sonic's objective is to reverse this and set all the continents back down onto the planet's core.
124* EasterEgg:
125** In the opening, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqHxGoFERZw just before Eggman pushes the button that fires his laser]] (stop at 3:29), if you look down, you can see a Platform/SegaDreamcast to the lower-left. Who knew Eggman of all people was a classic gamer?
126** And [[BrickJoke it pops up]] ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxmmwTSDubk&feature=related again]]'', when Eggman is ordering [[spoiler:Dark Gaia]] to kill Sonic. Eggman is such a hardcore Dreamcast fan, he's willing to take it with him to [[spoiler:the end of the world!]]
127* EasyAmnesia: Chip. Sonic initially believes it was due to him crashing to Earth near Chip that caused it, [[spoiler:but it turns out it's a side-effect of the premature awakening caused by Eggman: Whereas Dark Gaia's physical body shattered apart, Light Gaia/Chip's memories were lost and only recovered upon restoring the sixth Gaia Temple/Chaos Emerald.]]
128* EldritchAbomination: Dark Gaia is far and away the most monstrous and horrifying creature in the series, along with having the power to back up its menacing appearance.
129* ExtendableLimbs: The arms of Sonic's Werehog form can stretch extremely far.
130* EssenceDrop: Enemies and objects contain bits of blue light which are dropped when they're destroyed or killed. These fill up the Unleashed Meter.
131* ExtraEyes: Initially, Dark Gaia has three green eyes and two small glowing eyes. When it transforms after having green eyes destroyed, it opens up seven more. That makes twelve eyes in total.
132* EyeScream: [[spoiler:This is how Perfect Dark Gaia is defeated: a [[SuperMode Super Sonic]] to the eye.]]
133* FakeLongevity:
134** There are segments near the end of the HD versions where a typical player will probably have to go out and constantly replay the levels for Sun or Moon Medals in order to unlock the next stage. [[spoiler:120 Sun Medals to unlock daytime Jungle Joyride? Ouch.]]
135** This is also present in the [=Wii/PS2=] version, where (after beating the game) players may need to grind for medals in order to unlock Gaia Gate puzzles, which will allow them to unlock extra levels.
136* FamilyUnfriendlyViolence:
137** ''Super Sonic'' struggling and getting forcibly de-powered by being electrocuted and having the Chaos Emeralds ripped from his body then drained. What really makes the scene disturbing is how Sonic is screaming in agony as this happens.
138** Plus, Sonic slamming through Dark Gaia's eyes, causing them to spurt geysers of green blood. This is why the game was rated E10+.
139** Dark Gaia's transformation into his Perfect form involving extra arms ripping out through his flesh with plenty of gushing green blood.
140* FanRemake: As a GameMod for ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'', which ports over the levels of the day stages only and addressing much of the complaints about the original (no FakeLongevity, no TrialAndErrorGameplay, better controls, etc.)
141* FantasyCounterpartCulture: Every continent in the game is a blatant reference to a real-world location. To list them all:
142** Apotos = Mykonos (an island in Greece)
143** Spagonia = Western Europe, mainly Italy
144** [[{{Bulungi}} Mazuri]] = UsefulNotes/{{Africa}}, mainly West Africa, specifically Mali
145** [[EskimoLand Holoska]] = the Arctic and Antarctic
146** [[{{Wutai}} Chun-Nan]] = China
147** [[{{Qurac}} Shamar]] = the Middle East, mainly Baghdad and the U.A.E.
148** [[BigApplesauce Empire City]] = New York City (derived from the state of New York's nickname, the Empire State) and Chicago
149** [[JungleJapes Adabat]] = Southeast Asia, mainly Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines
150** [[AmusementParkOfDoom Eggmanland]] = Disneyland ([[BlatantLies well, it sounds like it should be...]])
151* FeetFirstIntroduction: This is how the Werehog is introduced to Chip, as Sonic was holding him upside down whilst he was awakening from unconsciousness.
152* FetchQuest: Bringing the various souvenirs to Pickle. Fortunately, these quests are optional.
153* FinalExamFinale: The final stage of the game, Eggmanland, tests the player's knowledge of both the Hedgehog and Werehog gameplay styles by forcing them to repeatedly switch between them in a MarathonLevel.
154* {{Fireballs}}: Fire Masters fire these.
155* FireIceLightning: The Werehog bosses represent all three elements -- Dark Gaia Phoenix (Fire), Dark Moray (Ice), and Dark Guardian (can summon Lightning). There's also the [[spoiler:Egg Dragoon]], which attacks with all three elements.
156* FlameSpewerObstacle: In Eggmanland, there are pipes that shoot out flames at regular intervals.
157* FloatingPlatforms: Present in almost every level. Some fall after being stepped on, others don't.
158* FlunkyBoss: Dark Guardian, [[spoiler:Egg Dragoon]], and a few others.
159* FoeTossingCharge: The boost does this to everything that isn't either razor-sharp or explosive. In fact, many running sections consist of using the boost to knock enemies into other enemies.
160* FoodPorn: The designers seemed to have a bit of a fixation on making beautifully-rendered, realistic food alongside the cartoony characters. Special mention in particular goes to the Chocolate-Chipped Crème Sundae Supreme -- which Chip enjoys so much, that he derives his nickname from it -- and Eggman's Hero Sandwich, [[BigEater which the doctor finishes off over the course of about twenty seconds]].
161* FreeFallFight: The fight against the Egg Dragoon is this -- towards the Earth's core!
162* FunnyBackgroundEvent: During some cutscenes, while Sonic is talking to someone, Chip is doing something in the background, like swimming in the air, and only contributes to conversations when food comes up.
163* GiantRobotHandsSaveLives: The Gaia Colossus saves an unconscious Sonic in his giant hand. Justified in that Chip slowed Sonic's descent before catching him.
164* GimmickLevel: All the non-story non-DLC acts are based around some kind of gimmick:
165** Windmill Isle: Grind Rails
166** Savannah Citadel: Drifting
167** Rooftop Run: Homing Attack precision
168** Cool Edge: Boosting across water
169** Dragon Road: Directional Launchers
170** Arid Sands: QTE Pads
171** Skyscraper Scamper: Narrow pathways
172** Jungle Joyride: Air Boost
173* GlowingEyesOfDoom: The eyes of Dark Gaia's incomplete form glow.
174* GoneHorriblyWrong: Eggman's BatmanGambit was to trap Sonic and use his Chaos Emerald power to awaken and take control of an ancient evil known as Dark Gaia, but the monster disappears a moment later. The dark energy soon spreads throughout the planet, bringing forth chaotic monsters that wreak havoc in cities and possess and corrupt victims. It would later be revealed that none of this was supposed to happen in the first place, but it did because Eggman woke Dark Gaia up prematurely and results in Chip losing his memories of [[spoiler:his role and identity as Light Gaia]].
175* GottaCatchThemAll: You have to collect medals, save people from spiritual possession, and gain powerup items to advance in the stages in the [=PS3=]/Xbox 360 version. This is simplified in the Wii/Playstation 2 version, where you only need to beat the stages and required missions and talk to the right people.
176* GreenHillZone: The first zone, Windmill Isle, acts as this game's equivalent, being a peaceful seaside village with valleys and WindmillScenery. The Green Hill aspect is far more pronounced in the Wii/[=PS2=] version, which has numerous long stretches of hills and valleys on top of the town portions.
177* GrievousHarmWithABody: Can be used on any night level enemy that isn't a Dark Titan or Big Mother. The flavour text for the Rex enemies even suggests trying this.
178* GuideDangIt: In the [=Wii/PS2=] version, unlocking the last Chun-nan day mission requires you to [[spoiler:collect 150 secret items]]. And what's even worse, [[spoiler:unlocking the last Adabat mission requires you to collect ''all'' of them]]!
179* HailfirePeaks:
180** Adabat combines PalmtreePanic, JungleJapes, and TempleOfDoom.
181** Eggmanland combines EternalEngine, CircusOfFear, and LethalLavaLand.
182* {{Hammerspace}}: Chip has one.
183* HealingBoss: In the Platform/{{Wii}}[=/=]Platform/PlayStation2 version, the boss of Shamar; Dark Guardian, will warp to the edge of the arena to heal itself while bombarding you with a barrage of [[ShockAndAwe lightning bolts]] to keep you at bay. If you're skilled enough to dodge the lightning strikes and catch up to it, you can interrupt its healing process and trigger a quick-time event for a bonus chance to undo some of the health it gained back.
184* TheHeartless: When Dark Gaia breaks apart at the beginning of the game, some of its energy manifests into Minions that are fueled by and feed off of people's negative emotions.
185* HeKnowsAboutTimedHits: The controls are explained by Chip in the first level.
186* HelpfulMook:
187** The Dark Bat enemies, which are harmless and give the Werehog something to hang on to. There are other variations, which follow [[GoddamnedBats another trope entirely]]. Then there are also fan enemies which can be used to kill enemies or solve a few simple puzzles.
188** Whenever a Thunder Ball shows up next to water, chances are the game's telling to toss it into water to inflict tons of damage.
189* HeroicWillpower: The reason Sonic is able to stay in complete control of his Werehog form.
190* HighSpeedBattle: All of the Hedgehog bosses, as well as the Interceptor's appearances.
191* HumongousMecha:
192** [[spoiler:The Gaia Colossus. It's formed from all of the world's Gaia Temples, which are already pretty big.]]
193** A majority, if not all of Eggman's machines apply as well, mainly the [[spoiler:Egg Dragoon]].
194* ISurrenderSuckers: At the start of the game, as Super Sonic has brought Eggman to his knees, the doctor begs the hedgehog to go easy on him and that he'll turn over a new leaf. Sonic takes the chance to crack wise at his expense (though in the Japanese version, he didn't buy into what eggman said), and is then taken by surprise when Eggman activates the cannon in the space station they're in and traps him as the energy source.
195* InCaseOfBossFightBreakGlass: All of the Day Bosses. And the Egg Dragoon too.
196* InescapableAmbush: Most of the Werehog battles.
197* {{Irony}}: Sonic is usually the one who runs away from Amy. Thanks to the Werehog form, however, ''she's'' the one who runs away from ''him'', which really bums him out. Interestingly, she was more confused about Sonic's new form, rather than scared.
198* KillItWithFire: Fire Masters shoot fireballs that set Sonic aflame, and are covered in a fiery aura until [[ElementalRockPaperScissors doused]]. Sonic can do this to other enemies when he's holding an Egg Flame.
199* LampshadeHanging:
200** Jari-Thure comments on Sonic's [[HalfDressedCartoonAnimal lack of clothing]] when the latter first goes through [[SlippySlideyIceWorld Holoska]]:
201--> "You underestimate the dangers of this land. How come you have gloves on but nothing else? You some kind of weirdo?"
202** The [[AndYourRewardIsEdible Hot Dog Vendor]] in [[{{Wutai}} Chun-nan]] offers similar commentary to Sonic's [[{{Hammerspace}} unusual ring storage capacity]] upon completing any of his Ring Trials:
203--> "Where do you stuff all the rings you pick up?! Don't they slow you down?"
204* LandOfDragons: Chun-nan and everything about it.
205* LevelsTakeFlight: Tails transports Sonic on his biplane once more for the two Tornado Defense stages.
206* LightEmUp: Light can expel or suppress Dark Gaia energy. Sonic changes back to normal as long as it's Daytime. As the game continues, Chip obtains an old camera to exorcise possessors.
207* LighterAndSofter: [[{{Irony}} Extra ironic]] considering Sonic's not-quite-SuperpoweredEvilSide and Dark Gaia being the single most terrifying EldritchAbomination in the series to date, but Sonic Team still managed it somehow; ''Unleashed'' marks the point in the series where the 3D games' plots became as light and simple as the Genesis installments.
208* LightningBruiser:
209** Sonic becomes one here, instead of being the usual FragileSpeedster [=/=] GlassCannon, since he only loses rings proportional to his ring count upon being hit (or down to the previous level, in the Wii/[=PS2=]'s case) and keeps his speed and enough strength to destroy robots (more easily than the Werehog, even).
210** Not only are [[BossInMookClothing Red Titans]] stronger than their [[MightyGlacier blue counterparts]], they're also quicker and have faster attacks. There's a reason they're considered to be the toughest enemies in the game.
211* LoadingScreen: In the HD versions (when switching between day and night), the Xbox 360 version focuses more on Sonic's transformation, whereas the [=PS3=] version has a medallion switching between its sun and moon sides.
212* LongSongShortScene: The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfJ0_tcqnc4 Gaia Gate]] music in the [=360/PS3=] version, which only appears in one cutscene.
213* LostSuperweapon: The Gaia Temples [[spoiler:are really pieces of the [[HumongousMecha Gaia Colossus]]]].
214* LovecraftLite: The game has shades of Lovecraft's works, especially the backstory behind Dark Gaia, but it has a little bit in common with classic mythological origin/apocalypse stories as well. Yes, there's a giant [[CombatTentacles betentacled]] monstrosity that destroys the world when it wakes up from an eons-long power nap, [[spoiler:but there's also a good entity that puts the world back together and sends Dark Gaia back into slumber]].
215* MacguffinEscortMission: Sonic's quest to deliver each of the seven depowered Chaos Emeralds to the seven Gaia Temples in order to repower them and restore the continents of the world.
216* MacrossMissileMassacre: Eggman pulls this off in the intro movie, trying to catch Sonic.
217* MadeOfExplodium:
218** One sled in Holoska's Cool Edge Act 1 Day stage explodes upon colliding with the side of a glacier. Sonic jumps out just in time.
219** The rollercoaster car Sonic rides in Eggmanland, which spontaneously explodes without warning ''in midair''.
220* MagicPants: Sonic's WhiteGloves rip off and his shoes change size and shape (and gain [[SpikesOfVillainy spikes]]) when he becomes the Werehog. They [[AddedAlliterativeAppeal reappear and revert, respectively]], when he turns back.
221* MarathonBoss: [[spoiler:Dark Gaia]] is every bit as powerful as it has been built up to be and stubbornly refuses to stay down.
222* MarathonLevel: Eggmanland, a six-act ([=Wii/PS2=]) or hour-long ([=360/PS3=]) gauntlet through [[EternalEngine Eggman's main base.]]
223** ''All'' of the werehog levels are about three to four times as long as the day stages, and the day stages are already fairly long by speed level standards in the Sonic series (3-5 minutes). This is averted in the [=Wii/PS2=] version, though at the cost of a greater ''number'' of them.
224* MarketBasedTitle: The game was originally called ''Sonic World Adventure'' in Japan, but when it came out to America/Europe, it was changed to ''Sonic Unleashed''. Likely to emphasize the Werehog more.
225* MetaMecha: The Egg Dragoon's central cockpit is the repurposed torso of the mech the doctor used in the opening cinematic, looking as if its piloting the Dragoon.
226* MetronomicManMashing: Sonic the Werehog can do this to some of the bigger mooks once he gets his elasticated hands on them.
227* MetropolisLevel: The HD versions have [[BigApplesauce Empire City]] ([[FantasyCounterpartCulture the game's analogue to New York City]]), also known as Skyscraper Scamper. The day stages focus on running across highways while the night stages focus on platforming across skyscrapers.
228* MightyGlacier: Titans and Big Mothers hit hard, have high health, and won't flinch unless struck with the Werehog's strongest attacks, but move slowly.
229* MiniBoss: Titans and Big Mothers fill this role.
230* MultiPlatform: Besides the Wii, [=PlayStation 2=], [=PlayStation 3=], and Xbox 360 versions, a version for the ''mobile phone'', the gameplay of such will be more in tune to the ''Sonic Rush'' titles.
231* MultiStageBattle: The Egg Dragoon fight, in which Eggman twice destroys the platform you're standing on.
232* MusicalNod: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiBWcaIA6hE Jungle Joyride (Day)]] contains a familiar instrument sample that was also used in the ''VideoGame/SonicR'' song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTImh8gBfro Back In Time]]", though being a common sample, this was likely just a coincidence.
233* MythologyGag: Back in ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'', Eggman/Robotnik dreamt of building an amusement park called Eggmanland/Robotnikland as a start of his quest for world domination. By the end of this game, his dream finally comes to fruition, [[spoiler:short-lived as it is]].
234* NaturallyHusklessCoconuts: In one of the cutscenes, Sonic gets hit on a head with half of a coconut shell, followed by bunch of huskless coconuts from a palm tree.
235* NiceJobFixingItVillain: Like the previous games before it, Eggman's drive for controlling a power beyond his understanding always bites him in the ass and dooms the very world he wants to conquer. Here, he builds Eggmanland and a tower that can attract and gather Dark Gaia Energy to restore and control the monster. [[spoiler:While the result ends up as you would expect, it ''did'' allow Sonic and Chip to save the world by defeating it]].
236* NighttimeTransformation: Sonic, and in fact the [[NiceDayDeadlyNight entire world]] are subject to this because of Dark Gaia Energy.
237* NintendoHard: The Playstation 3/Xbox 360 non-story Acts, Eggman Land, and Dark Gaia. The Day rankings can also be soul crushingly brutal.
238* NitroBoost: The Sonic Boost.
239* NoEndorHolocaust: The planet shattering into seven pieces has no noticeable ill effects on the planet other than Dark Gaia being unleashed.
240* NoNameGiven:
241** Professor Pickle's assistant. Surprising, considering that ''every other NPC'' has a name.
242** [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep Except for the Ice Cream Vendor.]]
243* NotSoHarmlessVillain: After supposedly getting overpowered with ease by Super Sonic, Eggman lures him into a trap and uses him as a power source to ''blow up the Earth'' after the hedgehog gets a bit too cocky with him.
244* OneHitPointWonder: Averted, Sonic loses rings proportional to his ring count when he gets hit in this game, with 20 rings being the minimum amount lost. The Wii/[=PS2=] version drops you to the previous level instead (60, 30, or 0 rings, if you had 90+, 60-90, and 30-60 respectively).
245* PainfulTransformation: Though it's not as explicit or as inhuman-looking as most examples, it's implied that Sonic's under a lot of pain when turning into the Werehog. It becomes really noticeable in ''Night of the Werehog'' (the in-house short released to promote the game), because for the last few minutes Sonic's been smiling and messing around -- only to stop in front of a window looking out to the full moon, where he breaks into uncontrollable shaking, nearly collapses, and (once it's all over) howls horribly.
246** Averted in the cutscene where [[spoiler:Chip reveals that he is Light Gaia]] — when Sonic transforms here, he barely flinches. It's implied that he's gotten used to the transformations by now.
247* PalmtreePanic: Jungle Joyride combines this with JungleJapes, with the first half having you boost through tropical jungles, beaches and seaside villages, before the second half has you go deeper into the jungle and platform through ancient ruins.
248* PalsWithJesus: [[spoiler:Sonic's pals with Chip, a.k.a. Light Gaia.]]
249* PauseScumming: Since the game doesn't hide the QTE prompts when you pause, if you pause every single time the moment a prompt shows up, it gives you plenty of time to see it and hit the correct buttons. This is very helpful in the Tornado Defense stages.
250* PeninsulaOfPowerLeveling: In the DLC stages, there are none of the usual art/music/video collectables or medals to be found, meaning that secret areas instead opt to reward players with rings, lives, or, on the night stages, EXP crystals. Windmill Isle Act 1-2 and Jungle Joyride Act 1-2 in particular are both very generous with EXP if you defeat every enemy and smash every breakable object along the way to the goal, resulting in around 30 full bars of EXP to spend per visit (compared to the typical full-length story-mandatory stages, which tend to only give out about 10 bars of EXP on average).
251** Windmill Isle Act 1-3 is also rather egregious as far as level grinding goes due to being exclusively a battle royale against a horde of progressively sronger waves of enemies. Provided you're skilled enough to make it through you can easily get a good ten or twenty bars of EXP out of the first wave or two alone.
252*** What pushes these levels into this trope is that due to how the DLC was implemented, these stages can be accessed immediately when you gain access to the Stage Select for the respective continent meaning you could access the Apotos acts after clearing only enough of the story for Tails to give you access to the world map. Provided you distribute the EXP you've obtained until that point so that you can comfortably handle the sheer amount of enemies you fight, you can handily power-level both Sonic and Werehog to mid or late game levels with only a couple runs through of either act. The counterpart Daytime acts don't count for this, however, due to needing skills you wouldn't have access to like the Lightspeed Dash and Wall-Jump (and also being HarderThanHard to the point of not being worth the effort so early in the game).
253* PersonalSpaceInvader: The Egg Shackles and the Egg Bursts stick to Sonic and slowly takes rings away before (in the case of the Egg Burst) exploding.
254* PhotoMontage: There's a photo montage during the credits.
255* PintsizedPowerhouse: The Dark Guardian, a boss, is this when compared the other bosses: It's tougher than a Big Mother or a Titan (although way easier to beat than the latter). Can you believe it's barely any taller than a Deep Nightmare?
256* PopQuiz: In HD versions, some of the people in hub worlds can give you some of them.
257* PostAdventureAdventure: The opening cutscene has Sonic attacking a space fleet that Eggman has assembled, which wouldn’t look out of place in the finale of other Sonic games, including Sonic using his SuperMode, which also indicates that he collected the Chaos Emeralds during the lead up to this.
258* PostVictoryCollapse: [[spoiler:Sonic faints after defeating [[FinalBoss Dark Gaia]], showing just how tough this battle was and how much he had to overexert himself to win. Unfortunately for him, he was in his SuperMode at the time and floating hundreds of feet above the Earth's core -- luckily, Chip/Gaia Colossus catches him in time.]]
259* PressurePlate: In the Nighttime levels, they sometimes appear as a means to open up pathways.
260* PressXToNotDie:
261** Jungle Joyride Act 1 and Eggmanland are chock-full of this sort of quick-time events.
262** [[spoiler:The HD version's final boss gives us [[PressXToNotDie Press X]] ''60 times'' [[PressXToNotDie To Not Die.]]]]
263* PrimalChestPound: Sonic will do this whenever you get an A rank on a werehog stage.
264* {{Pun}}:
265** The hot dogs sold in Holoska? "Chilly" dogs.
266** One of Eggman's boss machines, Egg Devil Ray, is most probably called so because it attacks you with laser beams. However, the main unit happens to be shaped like an electric ray (as in, a fish). Good luck realising this if you're not a native English speaker -- or just happen to not know fish in general.
267* PuzzleBoss: Shamar's boss, Dark Guardian (at least in the [=PS3/360=] version; the [=Wii/PS2=]'s version is a straight-up brawl).
268* QuadDamage: One of the powerups in nighttime stages boosts attack.
269* RamenSlurp: Sonic is shown doing this in the photo montage in the credits.
270* ReformulatedGame: The [=PS2=]/Wii versions of ''Unleashed'' are vastly different from the [=PS3=]/Xbox 360 versions in that they have completely different level design, the daytime boost functions differently in that it has multiple smaller bars that can be spent for a short boost rather than a full gauge that allows a boost as long as it has energy, and the nighttime stages have vastly different combat mechanics and are much shorter.
271* RespawningEnemies: [[HelpfulMook Helpful Mooks]] tend to respawn when killed or destroyed.
272* ReverseCerebusSyndrome: After some pretty bleak games in the era following ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'', ''Unleashed'' sheds the darkness for a happier theme, ironic considering the main antagonist is an EldritchAbomination of darkness and night. The colors in the world and the art style are perkier and brighter than something like ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006''.
273* RewardingVandalism: Break pots and stuff, get items.
274* RoarBeforeBeating: The Dark Moray roars before you actually battle it.
275* RPGElements: The [=PS3=]/Xbox 360 version has them, where you can collect crystals to earn EXP, which you can then dump into various skills for both Hedgehog and Werehog to improve their abilities (with much more emphasis on the Werehog). The Wii/[=PS2=] has a simplified version in the form of Dark Gaia Force, which automatically improves the Werehog's abilities at set intervals of Force collected.
276* RubberMan: Sonic the Werehog is able to stretch his arms out and attack enemies from a distance or grabbing onto poles to swing around. He first finds this out when saving an ice cream cone from spilling onto the floor in Apotos, where he grabs onto it with one of his arms.
277* RunningOnAllFours: Sonic the Werehog does this to move faster, as his legs are too short to allow easy running in a bipedal stance.
278* SatiatingSandwich: The Hero Sandwich food item, which provides a big 50 EXP when eaten by Sonic. They're amongst the best food items Sonic can eat in terms of EXP value.
279* SceneryPorn:
280** Particularly daytime stages in the [=PlayStation 3=] and Xbox 360 versions, especially when you are in full motion. Nighttime ain't exactly ugly either.
281** Even the Wii/[=PS2=] version's quite a sight to see, particularly the Gaia Gates.
282** The intro of the game (in both versions) shows a lot of it as well.
283* ShiftingSandLand: Arid Sands takes place in a setting inspired by Middle East.
284* ShipTease: There's a bit of it for Sonic and Amy in this game; it starts with Sonic feeling upset when Amy doesn't even recognize him in his Werehog form ([[VideoGame/SonicAdventure2 ironic considering]] [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006 past instances]]) and is even reluctant to speak to her afterward. You can even agree to take her out on a date before you head off to Eggmanland.
285* ShockwaveStomp: Titans like to do that.
286* ShooOutTheClowns: During the final battle, [[spoiler:the comical villain Dr. Eggman, following his defeat in the Egg Dragoon battle, is swatted out of the center of the Earth by the monstrous Dark Gaia]].
287* ShootTheMedicFirst: Well, they're called Heal Masters and all you've got is your fists, but you've got the idea. Heaven help you if one shows up with [[BossInMookClothing Titan]] backup. Your death will be slow and painful.
288* {{Shoryuken}}: Or more like Sho-Hog-ken and Sho-Claw-Ken.
289* ShoutOut:
290** One of Werehog Sonic's moves is called the [[Franchise/StreetFighter Sho-hog-ken]].
291** According to the [[UnlockableContent Directory]], Yasmine cannot decide on a team name and had chosen "[[Manga/FullmetalAlchemist Full Mettle Shamalchemists]]" two weeks ago.
292** The final unlockable video (at least in the [=PS2=]/Wii version) is clearly based on a scene from [[spoiler:''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda1'']].
293** Also, the final battle in the Wii version appears to have a homage to [[spoiler:''VideoGame/PunchOut'']].
294** When viewing souvenirs you've handed to Professor Pickle in the [=PS3=]/360 version, when you look at the description for the Spagonian Cameo:
295--->''"Ooh, my, it's so lovely... So very... [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings precious...]]"''
296* SilenceOfSadness: When Amy doesn't recognize Sonic while he's in his Werehog form, Sonic feels rather down. Aside from a few groans, he doesn't talk for the rest of the cutscene and doesn't respond to Chip's unsuccessful attempts to reassure him that he's not scary.
297* SlippySlideyIceWorld: Cool Edge, being set in the freezing, Arctic inspired Holoska.
298* SoftReboot: ''Unleashed'', despite not erasing the continuity brought up by the ''Adventure'' games, is a self-contained title that changes the tone of the series. ''Unleashed'' goes away with the realistic looking human cast from ''Adventure 2'' and ''2006'', and makes them as cartoonish as the anthropomorfic Sonic characters. The world is redesigned and retconned to be more fantastical instead of the realistic one the mentioned titles had. ''Unleashed'' is more beginner friendly than ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'' was ever intended to be.
299* SoundtrackDissonance: During the credits, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfiRbKgcKA0 Endless Possibilities]]" (Sonic's theme; 90s pop rock) plays first, while "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJOQ8OPd7UE Dear My Friend]]" (Chip's theme; a slower, more somber song) plays second. The [=Wii/PS2=] version's credits show various scenes from the game, in chronological order -- thus, the first song plays while they show cutscenes from the beginning of the game, and the second song plays mainly during scenes from the last few levels. In short, the song about friendship plays while you see [[spoiler:[[{{Squick}} Dark Gaia turn into Perfect Dark Gaia]]]].
300* TheSpiny: Enemies covered in electricity cause CollisionDamage. You can turn this on other enemies, too.
301* StalactiteSpite: Some icicles in the daytime stages for Holoska tend to fall when approaching them.
302* StealthInsult: SA-55 manages to sneak a few in, though he's usually more upfront with his snark.
303--><clapping> "Your skills at self-aggrandizement are unparalleled."\
304''[Eggman continues to laugh evilly for a few moments, before realizing what he said and smacking him.]''
305* StylisticSuck: When you get an E rank, the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX6BGd4iGm0 rendition of the main theme]] that plays is hilariously awful.
306* SuperDrowningSkills:
307** Averted in the daytime stages, as long as you're running fast enough (see WalkOnWater below). Nighttime stages aren't so lucky -- the Werehog ''sinks like a rock''.
308** Sonic the Werehog doesn't actually sink when he touches water; rather, he inexplicably drowns instantly as soon as his head touches water, and his body floats to the surface.
309* SuspiciousVideoGameGenerosity: Right before the final room in [[NintendoHard Eggmanland]], a group of canisters opposite the switch that opens the door conveniently provides all three power-ups for you. [[SchmuckBait Guess what's in the next room?]]
310* SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: For a certain plot device--the [[VideoGame/SonicAdventure2 Eclipse]] [[VideoGame/ShadowTheHedgehog Cannon]] is a KillSat that can harness the energy of all seven chaos emeralds to fire a WaveMotionGun that will create an EarthShatteringKaboom, but apparently Dr. Eggman didn't care to use it, so he built his own instead.
311* SymbolSwearing: Chip's reaction to eating the [[MasochistsMeal Canned Horror]].
312* TakeThatAudience: If you complete a stage at E-rank, you get [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRzeTsi-jcs a version of the results screen music]] [[StylisticSuck performed obscenely out-of-tune and poorly-played.]]
313* ThematicSequelLogoChange: The game's English logo writes its subtitle in a battered-looking font, with a prominent scratch mark in the center. This represents Sonic's bestial [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent Werehog]] form, which gives him sharp claws.
314* ThemeParkVersion: With the exception of Eggmanland, all the continents are thinly veiled analogues of real-world locations.
315* ThemeSongPowerUp: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td1XgkybCdo Endless Possibilities]] got a completely [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g6K-gsnGlE orchestrated remix]] for its [[FinalBoss Final Boss]].
316* ThroatLight: Dark Gaia, who has purple light emanating from deep within its throat.
317* ThrownOutTheAirlock: After transforming Sonic into his Werehog form, Eggman opens the airlock to suck him out into space, taking the Chaos Emeralds with him.
318* TimeLimitBoss: The battle against Egg Dragoon only lasts as long as Sonic has platforms to land on. It is easy to miss since you can whale on his weak points and end it in just a few minutes. That said, [[TooDumbToLive if for some reason you take too long]] (around [[https://latin-dr-robotnik.tumblr.com/post/656935642276741120/thanks-beevean-i-hate-it-no-but-seriously 8 minutes]]), Sonic will run out of platforms to fight on, causing Eggman to send him falling to his death with one final attack.
319-->'''Chip:''' Sonic! There's nothing left beneath us!\
320'''Sonic:''' Rgh! End of the line!
321* ToughBeetles: The first boss of the game is Egg Beetle, a giant mech designed after the stag beetle that is quite durable and possesses powerful pincers along with an array of multiple weapons. It also has an updated version called Egg Lancer, which is a combination of salvaged parts of Egg Beetle and Egg Death Ray.
322* TrademarkFavoriteFood: Sonic and his chili dogs, as well as Chip and his ubiquitous chocolate bars. Professor Pickle is also very particular about his cucumber sandwiches. [[PunnyName Which double as a clever reference to his name]], as pickles are made from cucumbers.
323* TrialAndErrorGameplay: The last acts in the game, particularly [[MarathonLevel Eggmanland]], have no other way to win aside from dying tons of times and memorizing all the hazards by heart. The level designers were apparently aware of this, given that 1-up tokens (which mercifully respawn on death this time, unlike ''Sonic '06'') are often located in front of checkpoints preceding some of the more frustrating sections.
324* TrueFinalBoss: Averted; this is the first game in the series where the Super Sonic battle doesn't need to be unlocked with any extra effort.
325* TurnsRed: All bosses begin fighting more desperately as you drain their health.
326* TwinkleInTheSky: This happens to Eggman in the [=PlayStation 3=] / Xbox 360 version of the fight with Egg Dragoon, after Sonic rips and flings him out of the mech.
327* TwinkleSmile: In the [=PlayStation=] 3 / Xbox 360 version of the fight with Dark Gaia, Sonic does this right before destroying its third eye.
328* UnexpectedGameplayChange: Beyond the two primary gameplay styles already present, the Tornado Defense Acts in the [=PS3/360=] version adds in a third entirely different gameplay style by having you complete a series of [[PressXToNotDie QTEs]] to defeat enemies in the air while on the Tornado -1.
329* UnexpectedKindness: When Sonic (as the Werehog) wakes up an unconscious Chip, Chip initially panics and fears that Sonic wants to eat him. Once Sonic actually shows concern for his well-being by asking him if he's alright, Chip realizes he's not dangerous. Later, he helps the amnesiac Chip get his memories back.
330* UnmovingPlaid: It's ''very'' subtle, but in the [=PS3=]60 version, a static swirly vapor-like texture can be seen through [[EldritchAbomination Dark Gaia's creatures.]]
331* UnusuallyUninterestingSight: All the anthropomorphic characters, but especially the Werehog. Most of the human characters don't seem to care much about a hairy monstrosity with spiky shoes and super stretchy arms.
332* VariableMix: When Sonic uses his speed boost, the bass instruments of the background music almost disappear due to the air rushing by.
333* VerbedTitle: ''Unleashed''.
334* VideoGameCrueltyPotential:
335** Enemies in Werehog stages don't actually [[EverythingFades fade]] until their death animation ends. Any attack interrupting that just resets the animation. Knowing that, one can spend as long as they wish keeping the poor abomination on the edge of life and death to rack up a combo.
336** You can attack citizens to your heart's content, and they'll react accordingly.
337** The first few times you meet Wentos, you can tease him through the DialogueTree by roaring at him, and then pretending that you're going to eat him.
338* VillainExitStageLeft: Eggman in the opening when Sonic goes Super... or at least it seems like he was, only to reveal he was just luring Sonic into his trap.
339* VillainousBreakdown: Eggman will get progressively more unhinged and bloodthirsty the further you get into the Egg Dragoon fight, topping with his enraged disbelief at Sonic's continued survival. Take too long to defeat him, and his patience finally runs out before he sends Sonic falling to his death.
340* VocalEvolution: Jason Griffith's performance has Sonic has noticeably become more energized and emotional compared to ''Sonic 06'' and ''Shadow the Hedgehog''. Apparently, he took some vocal training after ''Sonic '06''. And according to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_q34PyjWg0 this interview,]] he was actually ''sick'' when recording his lines for this game.
341* VoiceGrunting: Both versions have this outside of cutscenes, with the exception of Chip's in-gameplay tutorial dialogue in the [=Wii/PS2=] version, which strangely enough, unlike the [=360/PS3=] version, is fully voiced — several times over in fact, to account for the button inputs of every possible controller you can use for the game.
342* WalkingDisasterArea: Pretty much everywhere Sonic runs, he leaves a lot of debris of destroyed public property.
343* WalkOnWater: ''Run'', rather; this is required in several daytime stages. If you go any slower than top speed, [[SuperDrowningSkills Sonic will sink]]. This is taken to purely absurd levels in [[SlippySlideyIceWorld Cool Edge]] Act 2 and the DownloadableContent stage Dragon Road Act 5, which are ''composed almost entirely of water''!
344* WalletOfHolding: {{Lampshade|Hanging}}d after completing some ring trials: "Whoa! Where do you stuff all those rings? Don't they slow you down?"
345* WhamShot: Not just for this game, but the ''Sonic'' series up to this point. After a whole game of exploring the planet, there’s just one final part of the world to explore, so by this point, the player is probably assuming it’s another parody of a real-world country, or just a general Eggman base at best. You don’t even go there from the world map- Sonic has to talk to Tails in Shamar to give him and Chip a ride. Following a ride on the Tornado (with a minigame in the HD versions), Sonic and Chip make their landing in a red carnival. Then Eggman’s laugh is heard, and the camera finally focuses on the entrance to this stage, with its name written right across the top— Eggmanland. That’s right- after 10 years and many games talking about it, Eggman’s finally built his life’s ambition!
346--> Eggman: ''“[[WhamLine Welcome to Eggmanland, the brain child of my heart and soul]]!”''
347* WhateverHappenedToTheMouse:
348** It is left unclear what exactly happened to Eggmanland when Dark Gaia arose from the core, though it may have been demolished. The park's fate was eventually revealed by ''Sonic Channel'' (the Japanese ''Sonic'' website) via a 2021 story that had Sonic and Rouge explore Eggmanland, explaining that the park is still intact, but has been abandoned by Dr. Eggman.
349** The fate of the Chaos Energy Cannon after Eggman used it to awaken Dark Gaia is left unclear.
350* WhosLaughingNow: ''Unleashed'' marks when Eggman finally ''succeeds'' in creating his dream amusement park of Eggmanland. [[NintendoHard It is every bit as unforgiving as you would expect.]]
351* WhyWontYouDie: Said by Dr. Eggman halfway into the fight with the Egg Dragoon:
352-->''"Stubborn little pincushion! Give up and die already!"''
353* WorldTour: The game uses obvious {{Theme Park Version}}s, but they're not fooling anyone. Besides, in Japan it's even named ''Sonic World Adventure''!
354* WreakingHavok: The Havok physics are much better implemented here than in the [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006 last 3D adventure]]. It's best shown in sections where some enemies fly in front of you while you're at top speed to try to laser you, and the best way to beat them is to knock other enemies into them.
355* WrestlerInAllOfUs: One of the Werehog's attacks is a spinning piledriver.
356* YourSizeMayVary: In the [=PS3=]/Xbox 360 versions, the Dark Guardian is the same size as the Werehog. He's almost the size of a Titan in the [=PS2=]/Wii versions.
357----
358->[[spoiler:''"I will never forget you. I will be with you always. A part of the earth you tread."'']]
359
360->''I see it, I see it!\
361And now it's all within my reach! (Endless possibility!)\
362I see it, I see it now!\
363It's always been inside of me!\

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