Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I didn't really know what to expect when firing up Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood for the first time. After playing the game, though, I think I have an idea of what Bioware's pitch to Sega was in the initial meetings, "it'll be exactly like Mario RPG only with Elite Beat Agent mechanics thrown in at odd intervals, and a story told through the rich canon of the Sonic universe." That may sound like I'm not too into the game, but I am. It has flaws, but the basic description I listed above made a prett good game.
The game is a solid take on Sonic in an RPG forum, everything works and Bioware finds a place for all of Sonic's odd lore. The main problems, polish and pace, aren't enough to damage enjoyment of the entire experience.
My biggest complaint with the game is that it just feels and looks cheap. The game looks great while standing still. The backgrounds are crisp and the characters are distinctive for a DS game, but in motion everything falls apart. The characters do animate well, but you can't appreciate it, because the screen shakes when trying to track a character that is in motion. The backgrounds that looked detailed standing still look like something out of a flash game in motion and it all becomes a murky, janky mess that isn't pleasent to look at. You can work past this, but it does bring down the overall mood of the game.
Sonic is controlled in the same way as Link in Phantom Hourglass and this system works fine, but it is a little frustrating that you have to use the stylus. During battles when you just want to tap A and get through them quickly, you can't, you have to click attack and then select the target. It isn't a huge problem, but it is just a bit frustrating.
The biggest frustration beyond the cheapness is the pacing. The game throws you a bunch of fetch quests with little backstory or incentive. The quests aren't hard, but they are just filler and rarely pay off anything more than health or powerups. During the fetch quests you'll have to deal with on-map enemies that will attack you (or you them) and this will send you to the battle screen.
The battles are turn-based and basic. You have Attack, Defend, POW moves, Items, and Flee. These options are pretty much the same as other RPGs and identical to Mario RPG. The only mix up in all of these is the POW moves. Your POW moves are your magic, when you perform a POW move on-screen cues will pop up, that you'll have to perform in order to get the maximum power and accuracy out of your attacks. These cues are the bits that resemble "Elite Beat Agents" you'll have to tap on-screen buttons on rhythm, tap them so many times in a set number of seconds, or follow a button as it moves on screen. It is a fun, interactive way to keep the players involved in the battles. These on-screen cues only appear in the POW moves and when defending from enemies POW moves, it is the best part of the battle system, and I wish it would have been integrated in the normal attacks as well.
Finally, a lot of attacks "missed" which is a huge pet-peeve, it is really bad at the beginning of the game, but it does seem to calm down about halfway through.
Another thing that is identical to Mario RPG is the equipment and items. You can equip amulets, gloves, pants, etc. to increase your characters stats. You can also find and raise Chao that can provide special types of upgrades, these can be traded with friends. Again, it is still fun even if it is an obvious clone of Mario RPG.
It may sound like there is a lot wrong with this game, but honestly it rises above all these complaints to provie a good portable RPG that makes the best of a crusty old character that still has a lot of good will with a core group of gamers.
Bioware fans are going to be disappointed with the license and the Easterness of the design. Sonic fans, though, should be ecstatic for this game. The pacing does pick up a bit after a couple of hours and the battles are less repetitive then some RPGs and if you have good will towards any of these characters you are going to get sucked in. The story is nothing special, but it doesn't get bogged down in seriousness, even if Sonic's BADITUDE is on full display.
Sonic RPG is a lot of fun, it doesn't take itself too seriously which is why it is so easy to forgive it for not being very original, and at this point in Sonic's life I'd rather have a solid ripoff, then another mediocre (or worse) attempt to recapture old glories. As a portable RPG that is going to be played in short spurts it is a very good game, that may have a bright future in sequels yet to come. As for this time around though? It is a really good time.
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Product Description:
Sonic and his friends have banded together with leading RPG developer BioWare to create a stylish blend of strategy and speed for Sonic's first RPG, Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood. Exclusively for the Nintendo DS, Sonic Chronicles mixes a rich story, hand-painted visuals, fast-paced team combat, and wireless collectible trading into a uniquely compelling adventure.Rhythmically tapping and dragging with the stylus in Sonic-style battles, players can level up and use Rings to buy new special attacks as they progress through 20 different and beautifully hand-drawn areas including new and classic Sonic locales. With an engaging storyline, lightning fast attacks, high production values, and impeccable visuals, Sonic Chronicles allows gamers to experience Sonic in a whole new way.Online Trading and Collecting: Collect several types of artificial Chao lifeforms, each with varying power-ups and abilities that help in combat and elsewhere. Players can exchange their Chao with friends via local wireless play.New Party System Gameplay: Sonic Chronicles introduces the "party system" for diverse team tactics using each of the 11 playable character's unique and customizable skills and powers.
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