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Sonic Unleashed Recompiled UWP Setup Guide

This guide provides instructions for installing and setting up the "Sonic Unleashed Recompiled" fan project (UWP port by WorleyDL) on an Xbox Series S/X console running in Developer Mode. It also covers how to set up mods using HedgeModManager.

CRITICAL REQUIREMENT: E:\ Drive Letter

At a glance

Sonic Unleashed Recompiled (UWP)

Series X|S fan port, USB must be E:\\ on PC so paths align.

Last tested: 03/27/2025
Dev ModeRequired
StorageNTFS USB required, must mount as E:\ on PC
User folderUSB:\unleashed generated by PC installer
DifficultyAdvanced - 30-45 minutes
BIOS/keysUses your own Sonic Unleashed dump, no BIOS
ControllersXbox gamepad, set app type to Game
Works
  • PC installer writes game/update/DLC into E:\unleashed
  • HedgeModManager targeting E:\unleashed and mods
  • UWP build reads same structure when USB is connected
Known issues
  • Wrong drive letter breaks data/mod detection
  • USB must be plugged in before launch
  • 4K reported unstable - try 1080p per Beta readme

Keep the USB as E:\\ during PC prep and when using HMM, verify paths before copying back.

danger

This UWP port absolutely requires that your external USB drive is assigned the drive letter E: when connected to your Windows PC during the setup process (specifically for preparing game data and mods).

danger

If Windows assigns a different letter (like D:, F:, etc.), the game data and mods will not be found by the UWP application on Xbox.

info

Instructions on how to check and potentially change the drive letter are included in Part 1.

Other Important Notes:

caution
  • This is a fan-made project based on the original Sonic Unleashed and is not an official SEGA product.
  • UWP bugs and port issues belong on YTReviveMe/UnleashedRecomp-uwp only. Do not open upstream issues about the Xbox UWP build on hedge-dev/UnleashedRecompiled (credit in the Beta release credits WorleyDL for the UWP port).
  • External USB Drive REQUIRED: Game data and mods stay on NTFS USB under E:\unleashed (see PC prep below). The UWP readme states internal-only setups are not supported for this port.
  • Console: Matches the Emulation Revival listing - Xbox Series X|S in Developer Mode.

Prerequisites​

Before you begin, ensure the following conditions are met:

  1. Xbox Developer Mode Activated: Your Xbox Series S/X must be successfully set up and running in Developer Mode.
  2. Remote Access Enabled: Remote Access must be enabled and configured within the Xbox Dev Home application.
  3. External USB Drive: A USB drive formatted as NTFS with full read/write permissions set for UWP applications. This drive must appear as drive E: when connected to your Windows PC.
  4. PC: A Windows PC for downloading files, running the PC installer, using HedgeModManager, and accessing the Xbox Dev Portal.
  5. Sonic Unleashed Game Files: You need your own copy (dump) of the Xbox 360 version of Sonic Unleashed (ISO or extracted folder format), the latest Title Update, and optionally, any DLCs.
  6. Sonic Unleashed Recompiled PC Installer: The Windows version installer is needed to generate game data files.
  7. Sonic Unleashed Recompiled UWP build: Prepare these two packages for Device Portal sideload (same pair the Emulation Revival listing mirrors - see Part 2):
    • UnleashedRecompiled_*_x64.msixbundle (current Beta tag ships UnleashedRecompiled_1.0.3.0_x64.msixbundle)
    • Microsoft.VCLibs.x64.14.00.appx
warning

Prepare E:\unleashed entirely on Windows using Part 1. The UWP Beta readme states the PC installer wizard does not run correctly inside this UWP build - if the setup wizard opens on Xbox, your USB layout is incomplete. UWP issues belong on UnleashedRecomp-uwp, not on hedge-dev/UnleashedRecompiled.

Need help with prerequisites? See the Xbox Developer Mode Setup guide for detailed instructions on activating Dev Mode, setting up Remote Access, and preparing a USB drive (including formatting and permissions, but double-check the drive letter requirement below).

Part 1: Preparing Game Data Files on the E:\ Drive (Using PC Installer)​

This step must be done on your PC, and the USB drive must be assigned the letter E:.

1.1. Ensure Your USB Drive is Assigned E:​

  1. Connect USB Drive: Plug your prepared (NTFS, permissions set) USB drive into your Windows PC.
  2. Check Drive Letter: Open File Explorer (This PC). Note the drive letter assigned to your USB drive.
  3. If Not E:, Attempt to Change: If the drive letter is not E:, you must attempt to change it. Warning: Changing drive letters can sometimes affect programs that expect a drive at a specific letter. Proceed with caution.
    • Open Disk Management:
      • Right-click the Windows Start button and select "Disk Management".
      • Alternatively, press Win + R, type diskmgmt.msc, and press Enter.
    • Identify USB Drive: Locate your USB drive in the list of disks and partitions. It will likely show as "Removable". Be absolutely sure you have identified the correct drive based on its size and label.
    • Change Drive Letter:
      • Right-click on the main partition of your USB drive (the large block representing the storage).
      • Select "Change Drive Letter and Paths...".
      • Click the "Change..." button.
      • Select the radio button for "Assign the following drive letter:".
      • From the dropdown menu, select E.
      • Click "OK".
      • If E: is Taken: If E: is already in use by another drive (internal or external), you will first need to change that drive's letter to something else (like G:, H:, etc.) using the same process, then change your USB drive's letter to E:.
    • Confirm Warning: Windows may warn you that changing the drive letter might cause programs to stop working. Click "Yes" to proceed.
    • Verify: Close Disk Management and check File Explorer again to confirm your USB drive is now assigned the letter E:.

1.2. Prepare Installer and Game Files on E:\ Drive​

(Assuming your USB drive is now successfully assigned as E:)

  1. Download PC Installer: Go to the official Sonic Unleashed Recompiled GitHub releases page: https://github.com/hedge-dev/UnleashedRecompiled/releases
  2. Download Windows Zip: Download the UnleashedRecompiled-Windows.zip file.
  3. Extract Installer: Extract the .zip file to a temporary location on your PC.
  4. Create unleashed Folder on USB: On your E:\ drive (your USB drive), create a new folder named exactly unleashed (Path: E:\unleashed).
  5. Move Installer Contents to USB: Copy all contents from the extracted UnleashedRecompiled-Windows folder into the E:\unleashed folder.
  6. Prepare Game Source Files on USB:
    • Inside the E:\unleashed folder, create a subfolder named my sonic files.
    • Copy your Sonic Unleashed game files (ISO or extracted folder), Title Update, and DLCs into E:\unleashed\my sonic files.
  7. Run PC Installer (from USB):
    • Navigate to E:\unleashed.
    • Run UnleashedRecompiled.exe from the USB drive.
    • Select language, click "Next", click "Next".
  8. Add Game Sources (from USB):
    • Game: Click "Add Files". Navigate to E:\unleashed\my sonic files and select your game file (.iso or default.xex). Click "Open".
    • Update: Click "Update" tab > "Add Files". Navigate to E:\unleashed\my sonic files and select your Title Update. Click "Open".
    • DLC (Optional): Click "DLC" tab > "Add Files". Select all DLC files in E:\unleashed\my sonic files. Click "Open". Or click "Skip".
  9. Install Files (to USB): Click "Next". Click "Next" again. The installer will generate game data folders (game, update, etc.) inside E:\unleashed. Wait for completion.
  10. Finish Installation: Click "Next", then "Exit". Your E:\unleashed folder now contains the necessary generated game data. (You can delete my sonic files now if desired).

Part 2: Installing the UWP Application​

Install the app package on the Xbox (internal OK - game data still lives on USB at E:\unleashed).

  1. Download UWP files:
  2. Access Dev Portal: Connect to your Xbox Device Portal.
  3. Navigate to "Add": Go to "My games & apps" > "Add".
  4. Upload MSIX bundle: Choose the UnleashedRecompiled_*.msixbundle.
  5. Upload dependency: Click "Next". Add Microsoft.VCLibs.x64.14.00.appx.
  6. Start Installation: Click "Start", wait for completion, click "Done".
  7. Configure on Xbox:
    • On Xbox Dev Home, find the game.
    • Press "View" button > "View details".
    • Change "App type" to "Game".
    • (Recommended) Restart Console.

Part 3: Launching the Game​

tip

The Beta release readme notes 4K can be unstable and suggests 1080p if you hit crashes - change resolution in-game if needed.

  1. Connect USB Drive: Plug in the same NTFS USB that holds unleashed from Part 1 before launching. Part 1 must have been done with USB as E: on Windows so game, update, DLC, etc. live under E:\unleashed paths the port expects.
  2. Launch: Go to the Xbox dashboard > "My games & apps" > "Games", find "Sonic Unleashed Recompiled", and launch it.

The UWP app will look for its data in the unleashed folder on the connected external drive, expecting it to correspond to the E:\ path established during PC setup.

Part 4: Modding Setup (Requires USB assigned as E:)​

Mods are managed on PC using HedgeModManager, configured to read/write to the E:\unleashed structure on your USB drive.

4.1. Download HedgeModManager​

  1. Download: Get the latest .exe from the HedgeModManager GitHub Release Page.

4.2. Prepare mods Folder on E:\ Drive​

  1. Create mods Folder: On your USB drive (E:\), navigate into the unleashed folder. Create a subfolder named mods (Path: E:\unleashed\mods).
  2. Delete ModsDB.ini: If copying from a PC setup, delete ModsDB.ini inside E:\unleashed\mods.
  3. Add Mods: Place your mod files/folders inside E:\unleashed\mods.

4.3. Configure Mods with HedgeModManager​

  1. Run HMM: Launch HedgeModManager.exe on your PC (with the USB drive connected as E:).
  2. Configure Paths (Crucial):
    • Go to the "Settings" tab.
    • Ensure the "Install Directory" points to E:\unleashed.
    • Ensure the "Mods Directory" points to E:\unleashed\mods.
  3. Manage Mods: Go to the "Mods" tab. Enable desired mods. Set priority.
  4. Save: Click "Save". HMM writes to E:\unleashed\mods\ModsDB.ini.

4.4. Play with Mods​

  1. Connect USB to Xbox: Eject USB from PC, connect to Xbox.
  2. Launch Game: Launch Sonic Unleashed Recompiled UWP. It should load mods based on the ModsDB.ini found at the expected E:\unleashed\mods path structure.

Troubleshooting / Q&A​

Q: Game doesn't launch or crashes / Mods aren't working. A:

  • Installer wizard on Xbox: If Unleashed’s setup wizard appears on Dev Mode, the E:\unleashed tree was not copied correctly - redo Part 1 on PC. The UWP build is not meant to run that wizard (Beta release readme).
  • PC path E:\unleashed: Confirm Part 1 was done with USB as E: on Windows so game, update, DLC folders generate under E:\unleashed.
  • USB Connected? Ensure the USB drive is connected to the Xbox before launching.
  • HMM Paths Correct? Double-check HedgeModManager's "Install Directory" (E:\unleashed) and "Mods Directory" (E:\unleashed\mods) in Settings. Click Save after changes.
  • Game Data Generation: Verify the PC installer fully generated the game, update, etc., folders inside E:\unleashed.
  • USB Permissions: Re-verify NTFS format and "ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES" full control permissions.
  • UWP Installation: Ensure both the .msixbundle and .appx dependency installed correctly.
  • Series X|S Only: Confirm you are not using an Xbox One.
  • Try Without Mods: Disable mods in HMM (Save) and test.

Disclaimer:

caution

For this UWP build, report problems on YTReviveMe/UnleashedRecomp-uwp. Use hedge-dev/UnleashedRecompiled only for PC upstream bugs. HedgeModManager is a separate tool - use its repo for HMM crashes unrelated to Xbox UWP packaging.