Sawwwnik Chronicles
 

...a.k.a Sonic Trigger, if I'm understanding these controls right

Stolen'd from GAF

If it doesn't suck, I'm sold, but I'm wondering just how Bioware takes this on. It could a case of "Awesome game, bad Sonic game" but I'll have to see screens first!

So Bioware Sonic gets a name, among other things.

I'm willing to give this game the benefit of the doubt, since it seems to be so different from every other Sonic we've seen, well, ever. Sega's taking a big gamble giving up their baby to somebody else, either because they know the last few Sonic games haven't been as well-received as they hoped or if the Blue Dude with the 'Tude just really needs a new direction. Bioware seems to be taking this project seriously, at least, and I think a western development team would be more in-touch with what the public here wants in a Sonic game and can adjust it accordingly. Plus, even if it's bad, it's not like the Sonic bar is very high right now anyway. At worst, I think we'll be pleasantly surprised.

Well, it SOUNDS promising, at least. So far. I haven't received my NP yet, so I haven't had a chance to read it out, but I'll post scans of the interview when I get it, if people want.

That neogaf link is just taunting. That magazine's cover indicates it has information on Okami for the Wii, Nomura's "The World Ends With You" for DS, and the Advance Wars sequel.

Plus this Sonic RPG thing. It's great (more like, essential) that it's going to be in 2D. I really have hope for it, as a Sega fan, but I can't get my hopes up over Sonic titles any more.

I expect good things from this. Square Soft did an amazing job with the Mario series, so I'm sure that Bioware could do the same for the Sonic series.

Yes!

No!

Actually it does sound like it could be pretty interesting, I guess. Hopefully the game will reward you for purposely killing off Big the Cat once he's in your party.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...sonicscan4.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...sonicscan3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...sonicscan2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...sonicscan1.jpg

Some small scan pics, don't know if they'll scan the whole thing.

The scans impress me so! Now I'm excited for this game. :3:

Okay I really think this is one of the worst ideas ever conceived in the history of the games industry. I suppose that's saying a lot considering Texas Chainsaw Massacre on the Atari... but okay, in recent years... Fine! THIS year. So far.

It's just silly--let's put a character whose main appeal is to be super fast into a game type that is (at times) unbearably slow, and let's let some of the most excruciatingly boring people in the world develop it. This'll certainly work. Okay so I'm not a huge RPG fan anyway, but I really don't see how turn based combat is going to be representative of a Sonic-style experience.

The best thing about this is:
You don't have to play the game to enjoy that, if they're any good anyway.

Okay, okay, I admit, Sonic n Pals are way out of their element here, but it's not like they haven't been before. Sonic Tennis, for example, or how about Sonic Spinball? He's the sort of game icon that can put in any situation, whether it makes sense or not. Even if it's not a good Sonic game (by virtue of "he's in it, but not running"), at least maybe it'll be a good RPG that happens to have Sonic and Big the Cat in it.

Amen to that.

I use to play the sonic games back in the day on the sega genesis. I'd love to see how this will turn out.. never thought sonic having an RPG game. The only thing I really dont like is stlyus controls(no switching to dpad?) I dont mind some stlyus functionality, but dont really like the whole game being only controled by that.

I'll give you Sonic Tennis (even that involves running fast though), but Sonic Spinball always made a lot of sense to me--especially since the platform games were always a lot like pinball machines too. It's not so far-fetched, and the game is still fast and frantic, it still feels like a Sonic title.

I always thought that game was a bit underappreciated, anyway...

But yeah, it might become a good RPG (although with Sonic's storytelling as a legacy, I wouldn't bank on it just yet), but I still feel that spinoffs need to be vaguely related to the original product, unless it's just a goofy party game. I don't really approve of all the Mario Party and Mario Beach Volleyball and Mario Mini Horse... Ranch... Manager games that Nintendo cranks out, either. But more to the point, putting Sonic in such a slow game genre just feels wrong.

Then again, maybe they'll think of a way to make the game super frantic and appealing to Sonic (and RPG) fans, and I'll end up loving it. Some bad combinations turn out awesome despite the odds. Like cheese and cucumber.

Ah we can all refer to bad combinations leading to something good such as Dungeon Crawler+ Dating Sim= Persona 3 (Gold!). Though, using the stylus for movement sounds like a horribly awful idea for a full length rpg. I would have been at least convinced to try it out if the dpad was used for movement. Overall, I would get very tired of it quickly.

However, Mario RPG did turn out to be a fantastic game so I am going to not dismiss this game as quickly as I would be inclined to.

Wonder what the rings do in the game...
(Btw I think there is a mistake regarding the 11 character roster: Amy is listed twice.)

More scans:

http://xs123.xs.to/xs123/08026/sonic...icles_1248.jpg

http://xs123.xs.to/xs123/08026/sonic...icles_2118.jpg

Your seemingly empty post has left me feeling disappointed!

If they can pull this off, by God, I'm all for it.

Oh wow, it certainly looks amazing. Shit. <3 Please have Casino Night Zone in there with a pinball mini-game of some sort. And a neeeeeewww caaaaaar! COME AWWWN DOWN!

Sonic as a RPG wouldn't be the last thing I'd imagine. A Sonic game as the first with graphics that look as if it has been printed on newspaper, that's a little more eye popping. Why is that strangely appealing?

As long as word on this isn't that it sucks ass, I'm afraid I must buy it purely for the curiosity factor.

...Phantasy Star style combat?

lol

People who are criticising this on the principle that Sonic games are fast and RPGs are slow aren't thinking hard enough.

Super Mario Bros. = lots of jumping.
Super Mario RPG = an RPG... With jumping thrown in as a bonus!

Sonic = fast
Sonic Chronicles = an RPG with some fast as a side order (if the loop screenshot is any indication). Please yes.

Anyone play that Soleil RPG on Mega Drive (I think it's called Crusader of Something or Other in America)? I was amazed when I came across Sonic in that. I was so amazed I had a fit. "HE'S IN A FUCKING DECK CHAIR SIPPING A COCKTAIL"

Later on the six o'clock news chopper arrived on the scene. I just thought you should know!

Crusader of the Centy or something and yes, that was adorably awesome. We should just derail the entire topic and discuss the awesomeness of that game.

It's about time they released some information on this, all I knew for the last 2 or 3 months was that Bioware was making an RPG of Sonic for the DS. Now all I need is a release date or even a year as to when this would be coming out.

Sorry guys, but I'm stealing the penny that will derail this topix train because FULL SCANS ARE OUT

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...8472/page1.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...8472/page2.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...8472/page3.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...8472/page4.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...8472/page5.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...8472/page6.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...8472/page7.jpg

Hehe, let's see how this turns out...

Thanks for the scans! my sub ran out on NP, so im not getting this issue. The game looks good, cant wait to see some videos of it in action

Not to go off topic much, but the last page of this issue states BIG news of an RPG either DS/Wii, and they say itll be epic.

'K those graphics look sweet. Kinda reminds me of Saga Frontier 2. I'm gonna try and be one of the optimistic ones, 'cause I love me a good RPG. And I love me some classic Sonic. I'm fairly confident that this will at least be bearable. Although Uzuki's right, the plot is pretty lol.

Sin Ansem, your pictures are all gone and stuff. :(

This game looks like it has promise. I'll keep an eye on it.

Fuck, the bandwidth probably died.

Here, have this download link instead. I might put them up on imageshack again if I feel like it.

Sonic_RPG_NP.zip - FileFront.com

IGN: Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood Interview

New interview, and new screens.

Sonic CulT :: Sonic The Hedgehog

The Sonic Cult has had some screens showing a new area of the game.

Still nothing special but at least it breaks the monotony.

This next year may be the year Sonic's been waiting for. With his appearance in Brawl getting his name out to anyone who didn't know he existed (both of them) Sonic Unleashed (which looks like it has potential to be the old sonic we've been waiting for) and Chronicles (which looks like it could be a nice new direction) both can bring Sonic back up in the proverbial charts.

That's debatable. Highly, highly debatable. Sonic Rush Adventure looked like a welcome return to actual Sonic platforming gameplay, but it turned out to be a steaming pile of shit with probably the worst level design in any Sonic game to date.

I'll hope for nothing until I actually play it.

^Sonic Rush Adventure is all about the boost mode metagame. Until you figure it out the game sucks.

Also SRA had the best Sonic bosses since like, 2.

I'm actually looking really forward to this game, although I don't know much about it, I do think Bioware does a great job at most if not all games they make. That and Shadow is AWSOME!

IGN: Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood Preview

Bad news guys... according to IGN, this game feels generic. Like Mario and Luigi generic.

This doesn't dissuade me since I avoided the more traditional RPGs like the plague, but hrrmmm...

Also Taco: Lovely avatar/sig. HELP ME EIRIIIINNNN

Uh, but Mario & Luigi Super Star Saga was fantastic in both gameplay and humor/writing. If it's that bad then please sign me up for a sequel that's just as terrible.

If Mario and Luigi was generic, I don't want to play any innovative games, because my eyeballs will probably melt from the awesome.

If the preview is any indication, the game does start up awfully slow, though. That's kind of troublesome, since I doubt the game is long enough to justify such a shallow learning curve.

There's also the possibility that IGN, like all other reviewers, are biased. Seriously, what's wrong with this game so far that's been mentioned? You have turn-based RPG, you can encounter minor foes if you choose like in Chrono Trigger, you can do dual-techs, and you can have up to four people in your party that you can switch around if necessary. I've probably left things out, but looking at those statements alone it seems like that's an alright RPG to me, Sonic or not. All it requires is a good story and awesome music. As long as you have that, how can you go wrong?

I guess they were expecting something groundbreaking from BioWare. Whether it's Sonic, Mario, or another RPG game, what exactly can you make on the DS that's "groundbreaking?" You'd expect that sort of thing to be more geared towards the home consoles since you have more to work with there.

Anyway, I don't know if I've mentioned this before but when I get this game it'll be my first BioWare experience.

But apparently you didn't avoid god awful cliches.

And Mario & Luigi was -fantastic-. If this game feels like that, more power to it. The only four characters bit is a pity. I like my TRPGs to have a wider cast, to allow for more tactical play, but whatever. I'm still sort of fired up for this.

IGN also said God Hand felt like a generic beat 'em up. So this probably means Saaawwnniiiiiiiiiiik Chronicles will be a pretty good RPG!

Are you talking about more than four characters in battles or more than four characters in general? If it's the latter, then there are more playable characters unless it's been mentioned that you can only use those other characters at certain points in the game and they switch out, much like in FFVIII with Seifer and FFIX with Blank.

I meant in battle.

And if you're trying to convince me that an RPG is good, I have a protip: Never compare it to FF VIII.

But yeah, only IV characters in battle is too bad. I like a few more options in my battles.

EDIT:

For some reason, I'd gotten it in my head that this was a TRPG, not a turn based standard JRPG thing. Ignore the 4 character argument.

Sorry, FF8 was the first FF I ever played. I loved it and it's one of my favorites.

Edit: Deni edited faster than I could post, but I'd still like to know the most characters you've had control over in a battle in a traditional RPG.

LIke Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time? SOLD!

I haven't beaten either of the Mario & Luigi RPG games but enjoyed both for the amount I did play. So I have no problem with Sonic being like this as well.

Well, we'll just agree to disagree on VIII and move on.

Most? Well, you could technically control all of them in X, with the swap battle system. Same thing in Mana Khemia. 5 in SaGa Frontier. Six in the Suikodens...

Five million in Total War series..........................


Anyway, "like Mario & Luigi" would actually mean something if I played RPGs for the combat alone, but no one in their sane mind does that. Means to an end, people. Mario & Luigi was fantastic because of the excellent writing and fun atmosphere. I know Bioware can do some decent writing here and there (not counting Jade Empire), but I'm not sure how it lends itself to Sonic world, and whether the style is really humorous or more attempted cool and drama.

Oh don't get me wrong, I like Mario and Luigi (the first one, the second was a bit linear and had awful music, and wasn't as funny) IGN felt it generic despite being like Mario and Luigi in battle style, which is what I meant by "generic".

IGN Video: Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood Nintendo DS Trailer - Sizzler

WHOOOOOOO GENERIC TRAILER AND MOVIE VOICE GUY

Gotta love the comic style story sequences though.

Gametrailers video of trailer

That's funny that they got the movie guy to voice the trailer. It could've been better and shown more gameplay, but it's not that bad of a trailer. The comic style story sequences will also be something new for me.

Revolution Of Gaming -> Sonic Chronicles: the Dark Brotherhood

Lol NEW SCREENS

I wonder if E3 will give more people a playtest on this thing. I remember seeing a very detailed play runthrough on the net somewhere.

I predict this will be the better Sonic game out this year, but nobody will pay attention and instead focus when Sonic Unleashed bombs or doesn't please the fanboys. :/

I got to play a demo of this at the Nintendo Connection Tour here about two weeks ago, first time I was just walking around Green Hill Zone at random, talking to idiots. There were lots of rings to collect, spring boards to jump on and loops (automatic, you just tap a little section before the loop and they WOOOOSH to the other side).

Second time I actually found a battle. I think I managed to win it. Could only switch between Sonic and Amy, stylus controls worked well enough. There seems to be little cartoon videos of Sonic running when you leave an area, I guess it's a fancy loading screen.

The graphics were really, really nice. Initially I thought the hand painted backgrounds might lead to a really static kinda look, but there's a lot of stuff happening on-screen. Animated waterfalls, butterflies and all that shit.

Interestestert ++

Gamekyo -- E3 Gameplay Video

Certainly seems... interesting?

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/4...patientrw9.gif

Gametrailers.com - Best of E3 2008 Awards - Best Nintendo DS Game

Gametrailers liked it enough to give it Best handheld game of E3. Not saying too much but still.

Also REVIEWS ARE COMING IN

Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood Review

1up liked it.

IGN: Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood Review

IGN did not

then again, IGN hates Sonic with a passion, so

Most places are giving it an 8. Unfortunately from user impressions I'm hearing the soundtrack is pretty bad--just bastardizations of old Sonic music. But most like the battle system and the witty dialogue.

It's an incredibly weird game. Some design choices were odd (like mandatory stylus use outside of battle), and the artwork for the human NPCs is so bad it's distracting. Dialogue branches are a given, but the responses aren't so markedly different from one another (from what I saw). The sound effects are comical, and the music is very subdued for a Sonic game (probably because of who developed it).

Basically, it's not Super Mario RPG for Sonic. But it's decent for people who've liked Bioware games and can tolerate turn-based RPGs that are rough around the edges.

I'm still undecided on this. I have seen more good reviews than bad but IGN's review is holding me back. Are they over exaggerating the point points of the game? Anyone here have the European version so they could provide a list of pros and cons? Also, from the E3 video I saw some months ago the characters kept missing or doing 1 damage to the enemies with the battle taking forever.

I'm not surprised with the music being bad. Mass Effect didn't have a very amazing soundtrack either.

I played 3 hours on this after buying it here in Australia, and so far I like it. The battle system is engaging due to stylus action, I like how interactive the exploration maps are, and the dialogue is just funny and interesting.

Plus, any game that lets me have the option to be a total asshole to Amy, is a great game.

Chao system, where you hatch chaos and equip them for bonus effects in battle, is neat, and the ol' pokemon hatching cheat works here. When you hear them hatch, just save, then check, if its not the chao you want then reload and check again. There are rare and unique chaos in this game that are so damn useful in battle, and theres a limit to how many chao eggs you can find in one run through. I believe there's a total of 40 chaos in the game.

Cream and Omega are optional characters, gamefaqs has info on how to obtain them. From what I've heard, Cream is the best healer, Shadow and Knuckles are best offense, Big is a great tank character. Rouge they say is kinda useless in combat but she's the only thief in the game. Tails is also a healer and he does have the neat ability to haste a character, though Cream's ability to refill PP used for special moves trumps that.

The only downside I hear is that its a short game for an RPG. Some people got to the final boss before they even hit level 20 I hear...

Also the only way to level up Chaos is to trade it with someone. And no there is no WiFi in the game so you have to trade it with someone who lives near you. That is one huge fuck up on Bioware's part, did they honestly think people will be able to trade like that?

I've only played it for 3 hours so far, and I haven't really seen anything else that bugs me yet about the game.

That is a huge gripe I have with the game. Basically, you want to have Shadow and Knuckles in your party at all times unless you want to sit through VERY LONG and drawn out battles. The gap in damage between the characters is totally insane. I also have no idea why Sonic is classified as a strengh character when his attacks are all laughably weak.

:mad: :mad::mad: I just heard the soundtrack. This is by far the worst soundtrack ever made. It's seriously Boy and his Blob levels of horrid. Half the songs are basically out of tune and sound completely fucked up, and the other half sound like something I could make in Garageband in about 10 minutes.

I mean, I expected the music to suck since it's BioWare and they apparently only work with deaf people, but this is just offensive to everything Sonic stands for.

The music alone has made me decide not to buy this game. Sickening.

Yes. The music is definitely my biggest complaint about this game. I can't believe they thought it would be ok to use shitty sounding midis as the overworld music in this game when the past Sonic DS games had excellent tracks. If bioware makes a sequel to this game in the future I hope Sega themselves produce the music with one of their sound teams like they usually do. If Sega can do one thing right it's produce a good soundtrack for a game.

Otherwise, so far I'm kinda liking this game. The writing is much much better than your average Sonic game and I actually like some of the characters I usually hate. Bioware's writing skills allow them to make the characters more likable. Especially Big the Cat who I always hated.

I'm amazed that Richard Jacques would want his name anywhere near this abomination. I know he can make good Sonicy music, he did Sonic 3D blast and Sonic R. I know not everybody loves those soundtracks, but they don't sound broken.

This soundtrack is so bad it's already becoming legendary, and I just can't imagine he actually made this joke of a soundtrack, so my theory is that he must've pushed it off to one of his lackeys. Maybe that lackey hates Rich and is trying to destroy his reputation or something...

So I got my hands on the game.

Soundtrack every bit as shitty as everyone said, though it's more of a "non-descript" shitty than "good god this music's composition is EAR BLEEDINGLY HORRIFYING" like Partners in Time. Apparently Richard Jacques only helped with the soundtrack--the main audio is from a dude name Steve Sims. This bastard either needs better audio equipment or he needs to be FIRED.

Game is fun, plus the characters are amusing. I love making Sonic snark the hell out of everything.

I'd be surprised if anyone managed to hit the max level (30) in this game without spending a stupid amount of time going for it since EXP gain becomes rather low when you are in the 18~20 range.

You can substitute Shadow for Amy, it depends on the situation. Shadow is superior in POW attacks and has better pairing with Sonic & Knuckles, Amy has a higher regular attack and good support POW.

It's funny how you go from being super strong, to doing 1 damage as soon as an enemy with Armor pops up. Only real way around it is to use Armor Piercing POW or have various Chaos equipped, since taking advantage of elemental weakness can make up for it.

So I am playing this now. Not a bad game at all. Music is horrific though. I am still getting use to the touch screen mechanics and tend to screw up often unless I have to either a.) push the button multiple tiems or b.) push the button in certain locations on the screen.

I've been playing this game for the last couple of days. I'm not very impressed with it at all. I hate the music just as much as everybody on the forum has.

Its not really holding my interests that much and I have to give up playing after an hour. I'll probably end up beating it eventually. I'm only on chapter four at the moment. I do like using the stylus for your pow moves but other than that I find the game relatively weak.