Sonic RPG graces Nintendo Power cover, plus (yet more) screenshots

8:33pm, 11th of Jan '08

Posted by Hudson. Filed under News.

Well look at that.

There’s not much I can add besides expressing the vague sense of optimism for the game that this artwork gives me. It probably doesn’t hurt that Sonic Team has nothing to do with it, though.

In any case you can expect aliens to be Sonic’s newest adversaries based on the spaceship thing behind that mysterious villainy-looking fellow.

Give me a minute here, I’m sure I can think of another vague prediction… hit points? Let’s go out on a limb and confirm that one: Sonic Chronicles: the Dark Brotherhood will feature some manner of hit points.

You heard it here first.

Update: Screenshot gallery after the break!

Update to the update: Additional screenshots! They look… good!

[via The GHZ]

Update: but wait, there’s more!

Well, what do you guys think? I’m getting a pretty strong Super Mario RPG vibe. Nice watercolors, too.

Comments on this article

There have been 22 responses to this article.

The graphics remind me of a cross between Sonic SatAM and Final Fantasy VII(But then again, I keep mentioning this everywhere I go)

udx

Posted January 11th, 2008 at 8:51 pm.

I think the only thing that’s bugging me right now are the shitty character portraits. Otherwise looks promising!

radrappy

Posted January 11th, 2008 at 9:24 pm.

Anybody else getting flashbacks to DiscWorld?
Especially with that street scene.

Graham

Posted January 11th, 2008 at 9:40 pm.

Yes, it is just like it. Sonic looks completely out of place in it.

I’ll assume the character portraits aren’t finals. They look like Sonic X images.

Kogen

Posted January 11th, 2008 at 9:54 pm.

Anybody else absurdly excited right now?

Like, am I the only one who’s ready for Sonic to finally forego the idea that Speed is more important than fun gameplay and level design? I’m glad they didn’t seem to awkwardly try to cram speed into an RPG, at least into the battle system. They also let an earnestly good developer handle it. I’m really excited.

Bryan

Posted January 11th, 2008 at 11:40 pm.

Hmm. This isn’t bad, but it does nothing to really raise or lower my interest, either.

Angelo

Posted January 12th, 2008 at 12:22 am.

So, SO weird…

It DOES give me a very strong FF7 vibe, but at the same time, it seems like the levels do allow for some measure of speed. Unless that last image of Sonic speeding around a loop is an obstacle which Sonic navigates automatically when you tap on it with the stylus, or something.

I’m not all that excited for the game itself, but I’m hoping that it’s going to forge ahead with a great storyline (this IS Bioware we’re talking about), REMIXED classic Sonic music (FINALLY) and inspire more quality for future Sonic titles.

V1L3

Posted January 12th, 2008 at 5:15 am.

Thanks a lot guys for such a nice surprise!
I am really impressed by all the screenshots and I even more more sur ethan Bioware will not dissapoint us now. :D

Cant wait to be able to buy this and play it non-stop! The graphics are looking amazing and like the best I seen on a DS game! Did the magazine give a release date as well? ^__^

So excited now there is info and images of what it will be like.

Diogo

Posted January 12th, 2008 at 5:22 am.

Wow.
Hard to beleive this is a DS game from those screens

SOUP32

Posted January 12th, 2008 at 8:16 am.

Why do we have more or less the same Sonic news entry twice, in the same day?

cube_b3

Posted January 12th, 2008 at 12:00 pm.

It looks good. I was worried about this when they called it The Dark Brotherhood.

It looks like a Action RPG, since the HP meters are always displayed (or whatever that red HP bar displays). It looks promising.

Judging from the screenshot on the cover, it looks like Dr. Eggman is going to be a secondary villian or a party member that is forced to work with Sonic to save their world.

It has a turn-based battle system, which kinda worries me. However, if they make it where the characters fight in real-time action or make the exploring like fast classic Sonic platforming, I’ll be happy. It also looks like 4 party members are allowed to attack in battle.

Also, about the Party members, it looks like you’ll get to explore with them outside of the field. Do they have special abilties to use outside of battle to use? That’s what I want to know. And, for some reasons, party member icons are displayed, showing some bars. Maybe they show stats and such?

The party members are Sonic (what a suprise. And that’s sarcasm.), Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Rogue and Big the Cat (*sigh*). I’m guessing Cream, Shadow, Omega and possibly Blaze are party members?

Are the rings going to return as Health? It would be a smart idea if it is going to be a Action RPG, but I think it’s going to be used to shop for items. And do you get them by doing quests, tapping anAd checking objects for them, or defeating emenies in battle.

The graphics remind me of Sonic Rush, but more brighter colors.

How will the stylus be used also? Will they use classic Control Pad and A, B, Y and X buttons only? Full-on touchscreen use? A mix of the two?

It looks like Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood looks promising and to be the revival of Sonic. However, I’m still worried that BioWare will remove the speed of the Sonic experience. Anyway, if Mario can get into the RPG genre, so can Sonic.

CaptainUlt

Posted January 12th, 2008 at 1:06 pm.

Is this (new) Sonic game a good reason for buying a DS Lite?,
well…I hope, since I don’t have a DS yet.

Regards-Alimn

alimn

Posted January 12th, 2008 at 2:09 pm.

To alimn: There are more than one reason to get a DS Lite.

udx

Posted January 12th, 2008 at 6:25 pm.

im now thinking of buying that lame ass box, that wii thing i think its called we or whatever.. gross.. this sux…

JOie

Posted January 12th, 2008 at 9:00 pm.

Shut up, JOie…

CaptainUlt

Posted January 12th, 2008 at 10:10 pm.

I really want and hope,to see Sonic’s Family older guys,like the “unique” Ray-The Flying Squirrel,the “coolest” Bark-The Polar Bear,the “unforgettable” Mighty-The Armadillo,or who knows,Bean-The Dynamite.Sure I hope to see my favourite “ninja” Espio-The Chameleon too!

Storm!

Posted January 13th, 2008 at 2:52 am.

The screenshots look promising but it looks a bit too much like landscape drawings which detracts from the Sonic universe. I’m confident that this game will be a success though.