New Info on Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood

Sounds like NGamer has sprung a leak, as the latest issue (available Wednesday) is to feature some new info on Sonic’s new DS RPG quest, which has met with more varying degrees of “will it work?” questioning than any other RPG since Mario first broke into the genre.

As revealed before by Nintendo Power, stylus-control plays a heavy part in how the game is played, and NGamer reveals more insight as it describes not only controlling the characters, but also using it to select context sensitive level “furniture” for the characters to use.

In addition, classic Sonic staples such as springboards, loop-the-loops, and platforms can also be manipulated and traversed by use of the touchscreen, with Sonic acting accordingly to what the situation and obstacles demand.

Many of these types of obstacles act as puzzles of a sort, requiring certain actions by certain characters and their unique abilities and attributes in order to be solved. For example, Sonic’s speed is less likely to be as effective on a large stake as Amy’s giant hammer.

Combat follows the tradition of many an RPG and is turn-based, said to share similarities with the Mario & Luigi RPGs. Rounds begin with a simple menu selection, and chosen attacks and moves will be augmented with tests and mini-games, some of which are not unlike moves seen in Elite Beat Agents (such as tapping a circle over an enemy right when the ring surrounding it shrinks to the circle’s size).

The story, while likely more elaborate than some of Sonic’s more traditional fare, may disappoint diehard Bioware stalwarts, as it will be a more linear affair than what the company has come to be known for. There are dialogue trees present which can reveal more information, but all the means still serve to lead players to the same end.

NGamer also notes a slightly darker tone for the game, which is likely to irk those still reeling from Shadow’s solo title and Sonic’s “next-gen revival,” and long for a return to simpler times. One such instance is a moment where Amy tells Rouge “You’re a tramp!”

Now, that’s just not right. Rouge has been shown to be a thief, a liar, a schemer, and an opportunist, but she’s never shown any evidence of being a tramp.

NGamer goes on sell Wednesday, as noted, and should have more information to keep Sonic fans in varying states of wonder, anticipation, and disdain.