A very good Sonic game, but the only terrifying part about the werehog, is the fact it stopped it from being great.
Graphics in the game are the best they've ever been, even higher par than Sonic 2006. Movements are fluid and graphics are crisp and clean to the point of even being able to see the individual hairs of Robotnik's mustache. The actual graphical style has received a heavy overhaul from the semi-realistic look the series has held onto ever since Sonic Adventure 1. The humans look cartoony, even goofy, while the structures and settings look even more photo-realistic than ever.
Sound has taken a heavy turn from the older games. Whereas Sonic games have usually used an upbeat rock and metal genre for its music, Sonic Unleashed uses a more heroic-sounding flourish. The most prevaliant instrument in the game is noticably the trumphet, followed by other parade instruments. Keeping with the "around the world" theme, Different cultural music is often used in conjunction with a specific setting. However, it is a matter of opinion as to wether or not this new turn is superior or inferior to the standards set by the previous Sonic titles. Unfortunately, yet expectedly, the subpar quality of 4kids' voice acting has not even come close to improving.
Control is a double-issue. In his normal form, Sonic is somewhat more difficult to control steadily compared to older titles. However, since his levels typically focus on speed and nothing but, this is hardly a problem. The gameplay is the fastest it's ever been thanks to the new "Hedgehog engine", enabling it to move at speeds fast enough to make you speedsick. The game often switches from a semi-3D behind-the-back camera reminscent of Sonic Adventure to a side-scrolling right-moving camera reminiscent of the classic Sonic titles (as well as mixing in elements from the more recent "Sonic Rivals" titles. However, the speed comes at a price, as you will often find yourself crashing into objects you never saw coming, and in many cases, this will cause an automatic death (such as sinking into the water you spent the last 5 seconds running on). Regardless, the speed levels are a powerful rush and a great deal of fun once you get accustomed to them. The dark side of the gameplay is the "Sonic the Werehog" levels. These brawler beat-em up levels make the game feel as though it was made for Knuckles the Echidna, but replaced him with a beefed-up Sonic at the last second. Replacing the speed factor is an annoying, mind-numbing amount of puzzle-solving, pot-mashing, creature-smashing, wall-scaling, flagpole-swinging, tightrope-walking gameplay that feels like a recycled Zelda game and does not fit in Sonic's world. While it may seem fun at first, it ultimately proves frustrating, leaving you wishing you were speeding again.
Is Sonic Unleashed the savior game Sonic fans have been hoping for? The most likely answer is no. It COULD have been had the Werehog factor not been implemented and the game based purely on the speed, but sadly this is not the case. Regardless, the game is far superior to Sonic 2006, and will prove fun if you give it a shot. Play it for the Speed levels, and endure the Werehog to keep playing them.