Sonic Team director Yoshihisa Hashimotohas been chattingabout Sega’s latest attempt at reviving the spiky one’s broken legacy,Sonic Unleashed, by boldly claiming that it can win back the love of the older fans. Despite Sonic’s focus on the kiddy market, Hashimoto claims that there is enough gameplay inUnleashedto keep advanced players happy.
“Sonic Unleashedhas the gameplayelements that loyalSonicfans want,” he claims. “It is not designed to be in the same format as classicSonic, but we took out the best part of classicSonicand successfully revived it to be a newSonic the Hedgehogof the 21st century.”
Hashimoto also admits that he agrees with the critical battering thatSonichas had over the years: “I think the fans’ evaluations are fair. I often read the forums run bySonicfans on a routine basis. I hardly feel any discomfort from their comments. I often find myself rather agreeable to them. I believe thatSonic Unleashedwill be accepted by many of the Sonic fans.”
Speaking as a loyalSonicfan, I would debate the assertion that pure speed was the “best” part of the old games. In fact, I debated it quite thoroughly ina previous feature. That said, readers will know that IplayedSonic Unleashedin Tokyo, and I did like it. It’s not like the old days, but it did not suck.
