Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood

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Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood

Developer(s) BioWare
Publisher(s) Sega
Platform(s) Nintendo DS
Release date NA Q3 2008
[citation needed]EU TBA 2008
AUS September 4, 2008
[citation needed]JP TBA 2008
Genre(s) Console role-playing game
Mode(s) Single player

Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood is an upcoming Nintendo DS console role-playing game, based on the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, developed by Canadian RPG developer BioWare which is now part of Electronic Arts. Due for release in 2008 in North America and Europe[1], the game focuses on the events surrounding the kidnapping of Knuckles, and the disappearance of the Chaos Emeralds.[2]

Contents

[edit] Gameplay

As with many RPGs, two main types of gameplay will feature: exploration, and combat. Exploration areas will see the character being controlled by tapping the stylus where the player wants the character to go, whilst action buttons will be used to traverse certain elements, such as loop-the-loops.[3] Navigation will also require a certain character to be in the lead for progress to continue, taking advantage of that character's special ability, be it flying, climbing, or jumping large gaps.[4] Puzzle elements will also feature, even allowing the party to break up to complete the task, such as pressing switches in various areas.[5]

Combat gameplay will occur when enemies are walked into, shifting the view to a close-up for turn-based battles to occur. Standard attacks are available, whilst special attacks can be performed by rhythmically tapping the stylus. These will use up Fatigue Points, in a manner similar to Magic Points in other RPGs.[3] Examples of individual special attacks include Sonic's Axe Kick and Whirlwind, whilst some group-based special attacks will require certain characters in the party, such as the Blue Bomber, which requires Tails.[5] After combat is complete, loot is available, ranging from rings to character equipment - equippable in one of three slots per character - whilst experience points will boost one of four attributes per character: speed, attack, defense, and luck.[3]

Characters will also be able to collect and equip Chao, each with their own ability, to enhance a team member's status[4]. These Chao will be collectable and can be stored in the Chao Garden, and using the Wi-Fi link, players will be able to swap the Chao they have collected.[6]

[edit] Story

Sonic is on vacation after defeating Eggman some time ago, when he receives a call from Tails, stating that Knuckles has been kidnapped, and that the Chaos Emeralds are disappearing.[2]

The story is split into two acts. The first takes place in Sonic's world, with the team attempting to unravel the situation they are in, whilst also stopping the Master Emerald from being taken. The second act sees Sonic and the team travelling to another dimension in order to stop a new threat to their own world.[2]

[edit] New Info

The game will feature areas and music from previous Sonic games, ranging from Emerald Town to more classic fields such as Green Hill Zone, Central City and Mystic Ruins; new areas will also feature, such as Blue Ridge Zone.[2]

A new character will be introduced to the game, known as Shade[7]; apart from the fact that she is female, no further information is known.

[edit] Characters

The following characters have currently been confirmed to be in the game.

Shade, the mysterious new character in her battle armor.
Shade, the mysterious new character in her battle armor.

[edit] Playable characters

[edit] Confirmed Nonplayable Characters

[edit] Characters mentioned by others

[edit] Development

Promotional artwork for the Zoah.
Promotional artwork for the Zoah.

Development began in 2006 when Bioware began to look into a handheld video game project to start, and at that point, had over 30 people involved.[2]

During February 2008, Sega announced that they would be giving fans the opportunity to vote on the name of a hostile alien race that would appear within the game[11]. From March 4th, fans were invited to vote on Sega Europe's Sonic portal Sonic City for their preferred name[12]. The winning entry in the contest was announced as The Zoah[9], a reference to the town in Panzer Dragoon Saga. The name was suggested as a potential name initially by the Sega fan blog Sega Nerds[13][14].

Members of the Sonic Chronicles team also update members of the public on their progress and views on the game every two weeks on the Sonic City Blognik.[15]

[edit] Comic adaption

Archie comics recently stated that they had plans for an adaption of Sonic Chronicles.[16]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Villoria, Gerald (2007). BioWare to Develop Sonic RPG. (DS). GameSpy. Retrieved on 2007-08-07.
  2. ^ a b c d e Matt Casamassina (2008-02-15). Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood Interview. IGN. Retrieved on 2008-02-16.
  3. ^ a b c Ricardo Torres (2008-04-15). Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood Hands-On.
  4. ^ a b Craig Harris (2008-04-15). Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood Hands-on.
  5. ^ a b c Bozon. Hands-on Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood.
  6. ^ a b c NGamer Staff. DS Previews: Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood. Retrieved on 2008-06-09. “Fiddling with the item menus revealed that new character Shade will be playable, as will E-123 Omega, the clanking bot star of Sonic Heroes and Shadow The Hedgehog.”
  7. ^ "Friend or Foe?" (February 2008). Nintendo Power (225): 42. Future US. 
  8. ^ a b c d e f IGN. IGN: Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood.
  9. ^ a b c Sega Europe (2008-03-18). Sonic City Blognik. Sega Europe. Retrieved on 2008-03-19.
  10. ^ tssz|news: New Sonic Chronicles Playable Characters, Plot Details.
  11. ^ ArchangelUK (2008-03-19). SONIC CHRONICLES™ A RACE TO NAME. Sega Europe.
  12. ^ ArchangelUK (2008-04-03). Sonic Chronicles: Race To Name - POLL IS LIVE. Sega Europe.
  13. ^ Sega Nerds (2008-03-19). seganerds. Retrieved on 2008-03-19.
  14. ^ SEGA America Blog (2008-03-21). SEGA America Blog. Retrieved on 2008-03-21.
  15. ^ ArchangelUK (2008-05-21). The Chronicles Diaries - #1: Randall Bishop (BioWare). Sega Europe. “Hi everyone, from now up until launch you’ll be finding on this blog every two weeks or so a guest blog from one of the production team behind upcoming DS game Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood.”
  16. ^ Sonic X#33 Sonic-Grams.

[edit] External links

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