Sonic Unleashed, the newest upcoming multi-platform installment of the popular Sonic the Hedgehog series, may just reveal one of the most controversial marketing decisions yet when it comes to the distribution of the new game.

As mentioned in an earlier report, there will be two main versions of the new game–one for the Xbox 360 & PlayStation 3, and one for the Wii & PlayStation 2. The two versions were to differ in a few ways, the most significant being that it was to have completely different level design.

However, according to an exclusive Unleashed preview by Crispy Gamer, the PlayStation 2 & Wii versions of the game will only have 7 levels, compared to the 9 levels that will be intact in the 360 & PS3 versions.

What does this mean for people who don’t want to miss out on both versions of Unleashed? Will they be forced to buy both versions of the game in order to fully experience the game in its entirety? Or will they be forced to miss out on two whole levels if they decide to purchase the more interactive version of the game for the Wii? It’s strange to try and predict the reasoning behind this move, other than to try and get more sales despite the game being on multiple platforms. The game looks good, no doubt about it–but will it really be worth the extra money to get two extra levels?

In addition to this information, the preview appears to stress that the graphics in the Wii & PS2 version are far worse than those in the 360 & PS3 versions. It is confirmed that there will be other characters–Tails, Shadow, and Amy Rose, to name a few–but Sonic will be the only playable character. It also points out that there will, unfortunately, be no more beastiality scenes in the game this time around. What a pity!

Overall, this leaves many confused, and even more with mixed feelings. Hopefully as more information is revealed on Unleashed, some real concrete judgement can be made. Until then, at least we can hold solace in the fact that Sonic is the only playable character. That’s cool, right?

Sonic Unleashed. The newest, possibly most promising looking Sonic game of recent times. With the release of the High Europe trailer, available for download on SEGA’s press FTP (600MB of full HD glory!), many views are changing about the game; some people believe it to be too linear and “on-rails,” while others believe it to be one of the best Sonic games to come out in the past 5 years. Even though, you know it hasn’t come out quite yet.

What seems to be on the down-low, though, is how many versions of the game there are, and how they differ. I’ll cover the facts right now:

There will be two core versions of the game. You have the 360 & PS3 versions, which have rich graphics and are the games showcased in the trailers available so far. They look very crisp, very speedy, and visually pleasing as a whole. Nice and solid, with quick level design and some alternate paths to keep you on your toes. Spiffy.

The game will also come out for, in addition to 360 & PS3, the Wii & PS2. Yes, you read right, the PlayStation 2. While we once thought this console had reached its slow, inevitable death, the decision was made to release a different version on the dying console and mirror it with the Wii version. The Wii version is reported to have completely different level design, but the same story and music. In addition, while the graphics are not as pretty, they still look quite solid. Check past the break for comparison screen shots!

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