Sega and Bioware team up for Sonic RPG

DS News | Coming to the DS.

Last year Bioware revealed they had formed a handheld development group, at the time the company revealed their first title would be a Nintendo DS game, well it's been revealed today by Bioware that they are working on Sonic RPG for the Nintendo DS.

Information on the title is slim, but we do know the game is coming exclusively to the Nintendo DS and is set for release in 2008. “BioWare is one of the hottest names in RPG development in the world,” said Simon Jeffery, President and COO, Sega of America, Inc. “Everyone at Sega has huge confidence that Sonic is in the safest of hands, and that BioWare can create the ultimate handheld RPG experience for gamers of all ages.”

We’re thrilled to be working with Sega on Sonic, one of the industry’s most enduring and compelling icons,” said Greg Zeschuk, president of BioWare. “As huge fans of Sonic ourselves, we’re committed to delivering a truly amazing story-driven experience within the Sonic universe, focusing on capturing the character’s broad appeal and placing him in a completely original adventure,” added Ray Muzyka, chief executive officer of BioWare.

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15 Comments

thebigm

4 years ago

Somewhat Bizarre this announcement that it's a Sonic RPG, however I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Wedley

4 years ago

Okay, I can see what Sega are getting out of this partnership.

What on earth are Bioware thinking, though? Do they think Mass Effect is engendering so much good will that they can afford to associate themselves with what has become (and I don't think I'm exaggerating) the single most lambasted and embarrassingly awful major franchise in the gaming industry? It's like Tom Cruise announcing he wants to be the lead in the next Mortal Kombat movie.

I mean, I don't mean to start a flame war here, but I think it's pretty much accepted that Sonic Team have lost their way and have been producing a steady stream of crap. In all the pleas and suggestions for how to return the once-proud mascot to his former glory, I don't recall anyone screaming out "RPG for the DS!" I really can't see why Bioware would take a risk like this that they really don't have to. Leave that to some struggling production house for which Sonic is actually a step up.

Who knows, maybe it'll be a good RPG for the DS, which is something I've been waiting for. Or, more likely, it'll be another Sonic game.

Nova Prime

4 years ago

Are you saying Tom Cruise hasn't been lambasted and isn't an embarrassingly awful human being?

What Bioware are getting out of this is(/are?) big sales. Sonic still sells quite well, because everyone retains hopes that it'll return to its former glory.

ittekimasu

4 years ago

well lets hope this partnership can produce a good sonic game then, still dunno how to feel though... doesnt feel right at this moment.

Karai Pantsu

4 years ago

Bioware are developing a Sonic RPG on the Nintendo DS... does not compute!

Although i am intrigued as to just how well Sonic would adapt to the AD&D 3.5 ruleset.

Oh no, a shiney red robotic crab is advancing menacingly upon your party!
> Jump spin attack!
Sonic failed his attack roll, you lose all your rings!

Okay, so maybe not. Still, I'll be keen to see how they go with it.

Gizmocreative

4 years ago

it might be sonic the hedgehog, shadows of robotnick

or hedehogs of the sonic republic. I think its a great idea.

renegadesx

4 years ago

I am confused with this as well, I want Sega to return to their former glory more than anyone. But I dont see how this is gonna work

teashades

4 years ago

I wager 400 quatos that this game will eat a huge load of balls. And I don't mean metaphorically, I mean, this game will literally get a coupel of kilos of balls, organize a bunch of its friends to come round and have a dinner party where the theme ingredient is balls.

Basically I think this game will be bad... That's what I'm getting at here....

Nev

4 years ago

It's interesting to recall that Sonic Adventure started out as "Sonic and Knuckles RPG" for the Saturn. Which is to say that it ended up being a action/platformer with RPG-like elements (more in-depth story, extra equipment, etc).

That said (and this is coming from one of the biggest old-school Sonic fans you can imagine), the story and extra characters have been the weakest elements of the Sonic series to date.

To wit, my all-time favourite game remains Sonic CD, due to the sheet enormity of the levels, the sublime music (in the Japanese version, at least) and the time travel mechanic. The fact that you could only play as Sonic made things even better. The only Sonic game where it's been worthwhile to play as any other character where Sonic 3 and Knuckles, as Tails and Knuckles were able to access areas in the level that Sonic could not.

The music in Sonic games certainly isn't a patch on the originals either. Whereas Nintendo constantly dives back into the past with the Mario and Zelda series, Sega seems to think that the orginal music is something best forgotten. They are wrong.

When all is said and done, the best possible choice for a Sonic title would be to strip everything back, and produce a game of superb, streamlined gameplay and minimal plot - something more along the lines of NiGHTS or Crazy Taxi.

An RPG would be the antithesis of this philosophy.

Which is not to say I won't buy it. My 4-year-old son is all kinds of Sonic crazy.

I still have to get him out of that nasty habit of calling Robotnik Eggman, though.

eviladrian

4 years ago

I find your lack of faith... disturbing.

Bioware is like this renovation rescue of gaming that takes worn-out franchises and makes them cool again, they rescued Star Wars from Jar-Jarification, and they'll rescue Sonic from the Shadow realm.
And then Sonic will carry me away into the sunset...

Oh Sonic, you always drowned out the sound of mummy and daddy fighting...

Sunrider

4 years ago

Nice dress.

Bioware have been on a roll for a while now so I can see them having fun with Sonic RPG. It will be a good diversion from their serious epics and I can see it being great. Heck, if a fat plumber can have three successful RPGs I don't see why a hedgehog can't have one.

dc0079

4 years ago

Interesting, if it's anything like Mario RPG (Nintendo+Square) back in the days it'll be good

Looking forward to this game.

Kaboth

4 years ago

I think there is a lot of promise here for an RPG. We've seen how Mario RPGs have been so successful. Sonic has a similarly rich cast, history, worlds, music and recognisable items and sounds that could make the game if nothing else a nostalgia fest for Sonic fans.

The DS interface gives Bioware a few options for controls as well as the potential to do some interesting things. My only concern is that a Sonic RPG would probably be more J-RPG in style ala Mario RPG or Paper Mario but this isn't a style Bioware has much experience with.

the_spensa

4 years ago

Well this is....interesting.

armageddon12

4 years ago

I think applying Sonic to an RPG would better suit an action RPG rather than a JRPG in the vein of Mario's various outings. Sonic has some recognisable items, but most of these are defensive and aren't as obvious as Mario's plethora of items. They could use various items from the Adventure series, however I don't think those remain true to Sonic.

Can't wait to see what Bioware creates with the property, certainly has potential.

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