Q&A: BioWare on Sonic Chronicles

We chat with BioWare about the experience of translating the blue hedgehog to a handheld format, slowing things down for an RPG, combat systems, and much more.

Video game icon Sonic the Hedgehog speeds into role-playing game territory in the upcoming Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood for the Nintendo DS, with BioWare, the developer behind other RPG hits such as Mass Effect and Knights of the Old Republic, taking the reins of the anticipated game. We spoke to BioWare art director Joel MacMillan about translating Sonic's pace onto a handheld, the combat system, and how much gameplay we can expect when the game ships later this month.

GameSpot AU: This is BioWare's first stab at an RPG for a handheld device. What are the specific challenges for designing that type of game on the DS?

Joel MacMillan: One of the interesting challenges from an art standpoint was trying to develop a visual style that celebrated the DS's hardware capabilities, rather than falter with them. In the end, even after setting a visual direction that fit the console, we still fought to wring every last drop of processing power out of the DS.

GS AU: Sonic has traditionally been about speed. How do you translate that into an RPG experience?

JM: This was a big challenge for us, and we were well aware of it before we even started. Gameplay-wise, we tried to condense a lot of the action into little vignettes that would play out continuously, such as using the "round-based" combat. This at least "looked" fast, even if the player isn't "playing" fast.

GS AU: What can you tell us about the plot?

JM: I think this is obviously best left for the audience's first play-through to find out. I will say that the overall story is broken up into two acts, the first taking place in a very familiar Sonic world, and the second branching out into something we haven't seen yet, something a little darker (not just visually). I'm confident that what has been done with the story in Sonic Chronicles will be something that fans will remember for a while, and will hopefully be expanded in the future.

GS AU: How many of the Sonic universe's characters will be in the game? How many can you have in your party at once?

JM: Again, I'd like to leave some of this for the audience to discover when they play through the game. Rest assured we've revived a really good handful of Sonic's chums to keep him company on his adventures. The way it plays out is that you'll have four party members with you at most times, but there'll be a stronghold of 11 total. Part of the fun will be finding out just who will be fighting alongside you.

GS AU: Tell us about the combat system. From what we've seen so far, it's a mix of turn-based with some real-time action.

JM: That's correct. Combat's been engineered to play out as rounds, to help illustrate a feeling of speed. To accentuate that, there's a Realtime Button Input system we have that coincides with combat. During the team's power moves, the player will have to successfully accomplish a small button-and-stylus sequence in order to deliver a maximum damage attack. It's actually a lot of fun; as the player levels up their power moves, the Realtime Button Input gets more difficult. It's a good way to keep the player on their toes.

GS AU: How do characters level up, gain new abilities, and weapons in the game?

JM: This is mostly done through experience points and fighting. As the player levels up, they'll unlock new power moves to use. Some of the more complex moves really help convey the fun, cartoony direction we've chosen to go with the feel of the game. We definitely have a few favourites here in the studio--Blue Bomber and Triple Tornado are pretty popular.

GS AU: How long will the single-player experience last? Do you have any plans for multiplayer?

JM: There will be some multiplayer "trading" to take advantage of. For the full single-player gameplay experience, you can expect about 20-25 hours.

GS AU: Joel MacMillan, thanks for your time.

26 Comments

  • stevo_360

    Posted Sep 16, 2008 8:36 am GMT

    If anyone can stop Sonic games from being terrible, it Bioware.

  • Adam_the_Nerd

    Posted Sep 15, 2008 1:42 pm GMT

    Sonic has seen better days. I can't say I'm holding my breath for this game, but hey; with a little BioWare magic, anything's possible.

  • Adam_the_Nerd

    Posted Sep 15, 2008 1:42 pm GMT

    Sonic has seen better days. I can't say I'm holding my breath for this game, but hey; with a little BioWare magic, anything's possible.

  • Jedilink109

    Posted Sep 12, 2008 1:57 pm GMT

    As long as Princess Sally, Rotor, Antoine, Dulcy and so on are in the game. Hopefully Sally and Rotor will be playable characters again! That'd be THE BEST! Because I really don't want Cream and Bigs the Cat and all that crap. Bring back the good characters from the SATAM show!

  • lanmanna

    Posted Sep 11, 2008 4:59 am GMT

    Wow, 2 bad Sonic games and you guys hate him. >_>

  • YoJim8obaJoe

    Posted Sep 10, 2008 6:06 pm GMT

    Why are they making a game for a once great but now dead francise when they could be making a new KOTOR or Mass Effect

  • mr-freakid

    Posted Sep 10, 2008 4:44 pm GMT

    I was hoping something more lenghty, I mean; to play on those imsomny nights, but it looks like it'll be a lot of flash but short...

  • deadstarr

    Posted Sep 10, 2008 2:20 pm GMT

    20-25 hours sounds good to me. Also Bioware are a great company. A good Sonic game at last? hopefully.

  • mjc0961

    Posted Sep 10, 2008 8:14 am GMT

    "During the team's power moves, the player will have to successfully accomplish a small button-and-stylus sequence in order to deliver a maximum damage attack."
    Okay, so it's Super Mario RPG all over again. What a surprise, huh? A Sonic game that's made of fail.

    "We definitely have a few favourites here in the studio--Blue Bomber and Triple Tornado are pretty popular."
    Pah. The only Blue Bomber that matters is Mega Man. Inafune should come *****-slap everyone at this development studio.

  • Rikuide_Furame

    Posted Sep 10, 2008 8:12 am GMT

    "You can expect 20-25 hours" - sold! Considering that BW are in charge, SC should be great.

  • lextexrex

    Posted Sep 10, 2008 7:51 am GMT

    "We definitely have a few favourites here in the studio--Blue Bomber and Triple Tornado are pretty popular."

    Lol. Fads going on in the work area. I can imagine the conversation right now...

  • Barnman2205

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 3:03 am GMT

    hmm... you wouldn't think a Sonic RPG would work... but you wouldn't think a Mario RPG would work either, and turned out to be one of the top games on GameCube. guess we'll find out soon enough...

  • Thunderstarter

    Posted Sep 4, 2008 5:04 pm GMT

    After playing Mass Effect and Jade Empire, I immediately pre-ordered this one. Oh....I'm shaking with anticipation.

  • poetsoul

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 3:58 pm GMT

    Aside from the early comics, I've yet to be truly engaged by a Sonic story. I don't care whether the story is from the comic canon or the game universe, as long as BIOWARE makes it engaging.

  • Dark_knight109

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 12:39 pm GMT

    Rest assured we've revived a really good handful of Sonic's chums to keep him company on his adventures

    Excuse me... I have to go out to my SatAM shrine and start making offerings.

  • the_Hippest_Cat

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 12:38 pm GMT

    not that there's anything wrong with the talent behind Sonic's Team, but a Sonic revival needs people that aren't just relying on the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise to move copies on the game. Well done Bioware, I'm sold on this one.

  • Lord_Artix

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 12:18 pm GMT

    I have confidence in this title. After all, Sonic Team's not behind it.

  • TheArcade

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 9:00 am GMT

    halomonkey1_3_5

    i stopped trusting ANYTHING sonic after adventure 2...

    lol same here. XD

  • TheArcade

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 8:58 am GMT

    Isn't Bioware now owned by EA? O_o That was the company behind Mass Effect if I'm not mistaken.

  • Rect_Pola

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 8:28 am GMT

    I have enough faith in Bioware to preorder. I wouldn't have done that for the Sonic Team.

  • Ardus

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 7:54 am GMT

    This is gonna be sweet.

  • halomonkey1_3_5

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 7:39 am GMT

    i stopped trusting ANYTHING sonic after adventure 2...

  • infamous_27

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 4:42 am GMT

    Well I'm buying

  • kbaily

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 4:21 am GMT

    Hopefully this does for Sonic what Super Mario RPG did for Mario.

  • roxas6843

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 3:47 am GMT

    yea

  • Juampix

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 2:30 am GMT

    I hope this game doesn't disappoint.

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