E3 2008: Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood Updated Hands-On

BioWare and Sega may make an unlikely pair, but with BioWare's impressive resume, it is difficult to ignore Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood. The idea of bringing together Sega's beloved characters from the Sonic the Hedgehog series and making an in-depth role-playing game might leave some gamers confused, but from what we've seen at Sega's booth during E3, it looks like a charming RPG that gamers of all backgrounds can enjoy.

For Sonic fans, you do get to run around the Green Hill Zone to collect rings and the familiar sounds from the original games will bring back memories. The back and forth conversation between Sonic and his friends definitely wouldn't be called "deep," but this game is aiming for an E rating so it's appropriate. Characters like Amy will join you early on, but as you go through the main storyline there are options to do side quests that will allow you to meet more new characters and learn more about everyone's back story. The story starts off with Knuckles being kidnapped by marauders who are also stealing chaos emeralds.

We had a chance to look at Chapter 7 of the game, a little more than halfway through the game, where Sonic is now in a new place called Kron and meets these heavily armored individuals and needs to earn their trust. We are told that once you beat them a few times, they will send you on missions and you need to prove that you're trustworthy. The way the game is set up is like a BioWare RPG where you have options to do missions, collect items and do side quests. Sonic Chronicles seems to have all the makings of a solid RPG, except that the characters are in the form of a hedgehog.

Combat is turn-based and the game can be played entirely with the stylus. Characters who move quickly like Sonic can select three actions per turn so the battle seems to move at a faster pace. Each character has power moves which are executed using your power points. Power points are recharged if you decide to defend a turn, and items will allow you to refresh your points as well. These special moves vary with each character and when you level, you have the option to upgrade these moves and the menu does a good job with explaining what upgrades to purchase. After you level, your stats will automatically increase but you also get points to spend as you see fit.

Throughout the game there are little artificial creatures called chao that hatch from eggs. There are about 40 to collect in the game and each come with its own special ability when equipped. We came across one early on that gave Sonic ice damage when he attacked, which does extra damage to creatures vulnerable to ice. These cute, alienlike creatures hover behind your character, and you can acquire more chao via Nintendo's wireless trading to complete your collection.

Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood will have over 40 hours of gameplay if you go through all the side quests and missions. Those who want to fly through the main storyline should expect about 20 hours. Look for Sonic and his friends on the DS this fall.