Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood

 DS
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Sep 30, 2008
User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 128 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 75 out of 128
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 128
  3. Negative: 29 out of 128
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  1. ninja_dolphin
    Feb 6, 2013
    7
    A weird game that I am surprised I enjoyed as much as I did. It plays entirely with touch controls and this works pretty well. The battles are performed by doing rhythm game style timing challenges, which is fun if a little repetitive. The game isn't challenging when compared to RPGs like final fantasy but it is a great introductory game to the genre. The story is pretty forgettable but IA weird game that I am surprised I enjoyed as much as I did. It plays entirely with touch controls and this works pretty well. The battles are performed by doing rhythm game style timing challenges, which is fun if a little repetitive. The game isn't challenging when compared to RPGs like final fantasy but it is a great introductory game to the genre. The story is pretty forgettable but I did like that they managed to put all the annoying sonic characters like big the cat in the game without them being infuriating. The graphics are pretty decent with some nice hand drawn areas and decent character models. Overall though it's a game which I feel needs a sequel a this game has so much untouched potential, and there is a massive cliffhanger at the end.… Expand
  2. Krossbone
    Feb 3, 2020
    10
    This is exactly the kind of game I want out of Sonic: ambitious, story-driven, characterized, serious, with fun gameplay to boot.

    The story involving the Nocturnus Clan and their relations to Knuckles as well as the whole world after their imprisonment over 4,000 years ago, the amazingly done character dynamics pulled off between Sonic and co., a massive number of side quests for you to    This is exactly the kind of game I want out of Sonic: ambitious, story-driven, characterized, serious, with fun gameplay to boot.

    The story involving the Nocturnus Clan and their relations to Knuckles as well as the whole world after their imprisonment over 4,000 years ago, the amazingly done character dynamics pulled off between Sonic and co., a massive number of side quests for you to do, game exclusive characters on top of a big playable roster, kickass music, it all adds up to make an almost alien experience for the blue blur. Not as in it's a great experience (countless Sonic games pull that off), but rather how fittingly well Sonic works in an RPG format.

    It is truly unfortunate that Ken Penders pettily decided to threaten legal action over certain similar themes between the Nocturnus Clan and his work, thus making a sequel very unlikely to happen, at least in the foreseeable future.

    Long and short of it, if you like Sonic for the serious stories and characterization as well as just enjoy RPGs in general, then this game is a must play for you.    … Expand
  3. Rtheom
    Jun 7, 2017
    8
    Much like no one expected crossing Sonic the Hedgehog with comic books was going to work, crossing Sonic with an RPG works surprisingly well. If you're looking for regular Sonic sidescrolling action, then you're out of luck, but the story here is pretty fantastic. It pays homage to the series very well, has a bunch of hidden inside jokes, and was clearly made by people that love the SonicMuch like no one expected crossing Sonic the Hedgehog with comic books was going to work, crossing Sonic with an RPG works surprisingly well. If you're looking for regular Sonic sidescrolling action, then you're out of luck, but the story here is pretty fantastic. It pays homage to the series very well, has a bunch of hidden inside jokes, and was clearly made by people that love the Sonic franchise and it's surprisingly deep backstory. Definitely worth playing if you like Sonic and RPGs.… Expand
  4. JenJen387
    Jun 13, 2013
    7
    The story was okay. I appreciate the option to choose responses and chao. I enjoy some of the humor including omega and meat bags. I probably laughed more than I should have. The idea of the making is pretty original. This game introduces Shade who I think should at least become a supporting character in future games or episodes of Sonic. Also, the cliffhanger got me pretty convinced thereThe story was okay. I appreciate the option to choose responses and chao. I enjoy some of the humor including omega and meat bags. I probably laughed more than I should have. The idea of the making is pretty original. This game introduces Shade who I think should at least become a supporting character in future games or episodes of Sonic. Also, the cliffhanger got me pretty convinced there was gonna be a sequel but sadly, there isn't, although if there was I would buy it. I've gotta admit, enemies can be really irritating. The games a bit too linear, resetting pow moves when replaying suck, and multiplayer options stink. Looking back, I don't know why I replayed the game so many times, but I guess I'll give them that. It was a decent rpg game. Though I wouldn't recommend it. There are better Sonic/rpg's out there.… Expand
  5. YoutubeTGW
    Aug 31, 2015
    9
    Even though it is slow pace this is surprisingly a good sonic the hedgehog game we have gotten in a long time. I love how you can play as all the characters including my favorite, shadow the hedgehog. it's cool how you can choose sonics dialogue on how he responds to people whether it's negative, positive, or just wisecracking towards character he is talking to.
  6. GTKatz
    Mar 29, 2014
    6
    I can't help but want to like this game. Note I said "want to like", but the truth is, this game really was a mixed bag for me. To keep it simple, I'll list the pros and cons that I believe hold the game back.
    Pros
    - Story and script. Whether canon or not, I don't care, but the story does have interesting moments and follows through with its narrative pretty fairly. Mind you, the premise    I can't help but want to like this game. Note I said "want to like", but the truth is, this game really was a mixed bag for me. To keep it simple, I'll list the pros and cons that I believe hold the game back.
    Pros
    - Story and script. Whether canon or not, I don't care, but the story does have interesting moments and follows through with its narrative pretty fairly. Mind you, the premise is a bit hackneyed, but this is Sonic, tropes in the franchise have been to death, often by the desire of fans, so no big deal.
    - Art Style. At first, I wasn't too keen on the art style Sonic Chronicles had, but as I played, and eventually got into the later game acts, the design choices began to make more aesthetic sense to me. The character designs and backdrops were nicely rendered, and meshed well with the cartoony feel the game was going for.
    - Conversational Freedom. The fact that you could make Sonic reply to people's statements in either a passive, aggressive, sarcastic, or crass manner made me smile. And with BioWare aware of this trend in RPGs, I was glad it was implemented as it adds to the story, not to mention the interaction between the characters.
    - Characters. This includes enemies and NPCs. I enjoyed the fact there were a multitude of people to talk to, including other Sonic characters, such as GUN Commander and Vector.

    Cons
    - Sprite Textures. OMG were these things ugly. I mean, it'd be one thing to have used the models from Sonic R, which were simple polygons and well done for the hardware, or even to go full-on 2D sprites. First off, the models had this annoying charcoal grey outline that was, I guess, to look like a hard inked line seen in 2D artwork. Not to mention, the models were clunky and jarring. Simpler models or even 2D sprites would have sufficed.
    - Music. Central City theme and the battle music. Central City's theme, a detuned, broken down remix of Diamond Dust Zone for 3D Blast, was terrible in the sense it wasn't calming, it wasn't very town sounding, and seemed to be more fitting for an abandoned amusement park. The battle themes leave something to be desired, as much of them start to sound more and more similar as time goes on. Though the sound is very electronic and gritty, it almost feels as if there's no structure, no beat to get pumped for a fight. Now, not to try and compare it to Final Fantasy, but I will, which had the same intro for the first six games, all varied their own battle themes in some way or another so that they could be easily discernible from one another. It's not that I don't like that kind of music, as it seemed to have worked in the Adventure series, but it just doesn't feel right in the setting. Now in the chase scenes, it seemed more appropriate, but not in the battles, where so many are used to a driving bass riff to start off.
    - Platforming and QTEs. I'm sorry, but having to stop, tap the icon, and then perform the action just to reach a platform is ridiculous to me. But this wasn't just a flaw with Sonic Chronicles, many RPGs on the DS suffered this dilemma of relying on the touch screen for motion and platforming. Now if it were implemented well, then yeah, maybe, but no. It's jarring, it's ugly, and it just kills any pace any level of player has. Also, on a similar note, the quick-time events for battle, a nice idea, trying hard to utilize the concept Mario RPG started in 1995, but just falls short into aiding in delivering a enjoyable playing experience. How come? Because the actions become too complicated too quickly, and the fact it requires the utmost precision to perform, on a system damned for its imprecision. One pixel off, or two frames late, too bad, the action has failed. And thankfully, QTEs were only special attacks and chase scenes, because though I'd have liked to see Normal Attacks utilize QTEs for damage boosts, the way they were implemented here in Chronicles makes me glad they weren't.
    - Experience curve. Experience curve so sharp, even Castlevania Harmony of Dissonance is like, "Ouch." Instead of steadily diminishing with each level gained or just an increase in required EXP, what happens? After a level or two, an enemy that dropped 100 XP will then drop only 10 XP after the next level up. Understandably, there is a limited amount of levels to aspire to, but that doesn't mean there should be a sheer cliff or roller coaster ride with XP. Not to mention, most of the time you actually have to grind for a long while to just to increase a level, like an hour at some points.
    - Status Allocation. Not as loathed as some of the other cons, but still a negative feature overall, mostly just because it's poorly utilized. Even though the points are defined as to what they improve, the flexibility to improve a character in a general direction and terms are not accurate as to what they actually are. Your attack, defense, and special are improved automatically, and what you improve is your accuracy, evasion, and luck. RPGs are should be flexible. Period.    … Expand
  7. Coreyhardie
    Aug 5, 2016
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Where's the sequel guys? This game was great, story, gameplay, soundtrack was ok it didn't make my ears bleed, after a cliffhanger like that? Come on BIOWARE? SONIC TEAM?… Expand
  8. Dante_croft
    Jan 27, 2013
    10
    This sonic game is a rare jewel: combines adventure and RPG with the most loved characters of the franchise. It has nice graphics and a interesting plot. In the fights you will use the stylus to perform the character's moves, which add much fun. If you're a Sonic fan or a RPG fan, I recommend this game!
  9. KeithP
    May 24, 2009
    10
    I really like Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood. The game is not boring. I would recommend this game to people who are fans of Sonic the Hedgehog.
  10. JamesW
    Feb 5, 2009
    9
    After the atrocities of the console games, the DS has become the hedgehog's best friend. The Rush games were great, and so is this. I actually prefer it to the Final Fantasy genre!
  11. Luigibarqs
    Oct 28, 2010
    2
    As a major fan of RPG games and Sonic the Hedgehog I was expecting big things for this game, unfortunately, the game was a major disappointment to me. The RPG gameplay is very slow and rather repetitive, some enemies and playable characters are really unbalanced in comparison to others and can really break the game. Exploration is very limited and after you progress to certain points inAs a major fan of RPG games and Sonic the Hedgehog I was expecting big things for this game, unfortunately, the game was a major disappointment to me. The RPG gameplay is very slow and rather repetitive, some enemies and playable characters are really unbalanced in comparison to others and can really break the game. Exploration is very limited and after you progress to certain points in the game, you are unable to turn back and revisit those previous areas. The backgrounds and illustrations are nice to look at but the 3D character models are somewhat ugly. The story is decently written but it conflicts with many canon and non-canon Sonic storylines which can cause a large amount of confusion.The music is awful in my opinion because most of it is far below the DS's standards and sounds effects are somewhat poor quality at best. This game is filled with quite a few glitches such as getting into areas in the maps that you aren't supposed due to poor collision detection and some poorly programed fetch quest scripts than can duplicate your fetch quest items. The game to my knowledge can't be completed 100% to my knowledge due to certain Special Event Chaos being unobtainable. Overall, I was very disappointed with this game and due to its large number of flaws, I wouldn't recommend this game to anyone who is considering to buy it.… Expand
  12. Cale
    Dec 16, 2011
    1
    Normally, I'm not one for short reviews. I like being logical, creative and at least vaguely interesting. This game doesn't deserve a long review, because it's just plain awful. The controls are awful, owing completely to the fact that almost all of the DS's buttons weren't mapped at all. The battle system is one of the most monotonous and gimmicky I've ever had the displeasure of using,Normally, I'm not one for short reviews. I like being logical, creative and at least vaguely interesting. This game doesn't deserve a long review, because it's just plain awful. The controls are awful, owing completely to the fact that almost all of the DS's buttons weren't mapped at all. The battle system is one of the most monotonous and gimmicky I've ever had the displeasure of using, the worst of which lies in the chao things. They had to be made deliberately super-cute so that one wouldn't mind how annoying they are and yet an absolute necessity if you don't feel like grinding for an hour here and there. The pace seems completely off, fast where it should be slow and vice versa. The story popped in and out of canon so much I half expected to see Tails coming out as actually being female, or some other absurd plot twist that could serve as a reasonable starting point for some yiff comics. To me, only games that are legendary for being horrible such as "Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" for NES or "E.T." for the Atari 2600 deserve a zero score. And if there's one thing nice I can say about this game, it is that it isn't quite that bad.… Expand
  13. Sonicphoto
    Sep 15, 2010
    6
    Sonic Chronicles is perhaps the most disappointing sonic game I have played. Granted, as an RPG is not a bad game, but it doesn't offer a truly unique experience from the rest of the RPGs I have played. I like the fact that they included many characters of the franchise in the story, but I personally just see no reason to put Sonic the RPG realm. I still decided to check it out because itSonic Chronicles is perhaps the most disappointing sonic game I have played. Granted, as an RPG is not a bad game, but it doesn't offer a truly unique experience from the rest of the RPGs I have played. I like the fact that they included many characters of the franchise in the story, but I personally just see no reason to put Sonic the RPG realm. I still decided to check it out because it was made by Bioware, the creators of the great Knights of the Old Republic. But it looks like they are not so great working on portable games.Still, you should give it a rent and see if you can accept this new gameplay.… Expand
  14. David
    Feb 17, 2009
    0
    This game was the worst Sonic game I have played. RPGs are meant to be slow, and Sonic games are meant to be fast. The music was poor and the end was a ripoff.
  15. JoeyR
    Jun 24, 2009
    9
    I won't even bother to counter all the flawed arguements of the nay-sayers of the Sonic franchise, I've been doing that all year. But I do feel strongly that Sonic Chronicles is a great game: a unique blend of RPG slowness with the high-speed adrenaline rush of Sonic. The story was good and appealed to me both as an RPG fan and a Sonic fan (yes: diehard, as diehard as you can I won't even bother to counter all the flawed arguements of the nay-sayers of the Sonic franchise, I've been doing that all year. But I do feel strongly that Sonic Chronicles is a great game: a unique blend of RPG slowness with the high-speed adrenaline rush of Sonic. The story was good and appealed to me both as an RPG fan and a Sonic fan (yes: diehard, as diehard as you can possibly get). It's better than a lot of RPGs I've played. Very fun and engaging!… Expand
  16. TheQuietGamer
    Oct 7, 2012
    8
    I've played 3 Sonic games before this one and I didn't like them, but I'm a huge RPG fan and Bioware is my favorite game developer so I decided to pick this up because I figured if anyone could make a good Sonic game it's Bioware, and they didn't let me down. The story is well written and features familiar faces from the series as well as some new faces. I do have some complaints with theI've played 3 Sonic games before this one and I didn't like them, but I'm a huge RPG fan and Bioware is my favorite game developer so I decided to pick this up because I figured if anyone could make a good Sonic game it's Bioware, and they didn't let me down. The story is well written and features familiar faces from the series as well as some new faces. I do have some complaints with the ending, it's a cliffhanger that sets it up for a sequel that probably isn't going to be made, which is sad because I would really love one. The combat system is a mix between your classic turn based RPG and a rhythm game, yeah I know it sounds weird and until you get used to it it's irritating, but once you get the hang of it it feels smooth for the most part. While I could spend the rest of the review telling you the good and the aspects of this game I think I'll just close by telling you that this is a great game and you should get it if your a fan of Sonic, Bioware, or RPG's.… Expand
  17. SonicUndergroun
    Nov 20, 2022
    0
    anyone responsible for this games development should be burned at the stake and/or kill themselves
  18. KhoiP
    Nov 5, 2008
    8
    Game was fun... Kinda repetitive. I wish the little Elite Beat kind of actions were available during regular attacks too. I'm used to it for other games to just sit and watch but mman, it was boring to watch a blue ball go across the screen after clicking attack because you don't have enough PP.
  19. [anonymous]
    Sep 19, 2009
    8
    many critics say that sonic hasn't done to well lately, in sonic's dark times a becon of light has shone through. Sonic chronicles is a great RPG, all the characters in the party recieve XP from the battle even if they weren't there and the platforming snipets make building a team involve more strategy. The game also comes with a great dialouge feature allowing you to many critics say that sonic hasn't done to well lately, in sonic's dark times a becon of light has shone through. Sonic chronicles is a great RPG, all the characters in the party recieve XP from the battle even if they weren't there and the platforming snipets make building a team involve more strategy. The game also comes with a great dialouge feature allowing you to choose how some events come out (this won't change the cliffhanger ending though.) The battle minigames also give RPG battles a brand new feel. However, there is no pause during battle and because of the minigames you could look away for 2 seconds and your character could die. However, this game was well made and i cant wait for the sequel… Expand
  20. Aquaris475
    Jul 5, 2013
    3
    I was hyped when I first heard about a Sonic RPG. I thought it would be pretty cool, especially since it was being made by Bioware. but I had NO IDEA it would come out in this form. the story is probably one of the worst in the Sonic series. it feels like Bioware wanted to take a really bad Sonic fan fiction and turn it into a game. Heck, I’ve read Sonic fan fictions that I thought wereI was hyped when I first heard about a Sonic RPG. I thought it would be pretty cool, especially since it was being made by Bioware. but I had NO IDEA it would come out in this form. the story is probably one of the worst in the Sonic series. it feels like Bioware wanted to take a really bad Sonic fan fiction and turn it into a game. Heck, I’ve read Sonic fan fictions that I thought were miles better than this plot. the gameplay is very bland in this title. you constantly have to use the stylus in the game and it feels unnatural for a Sonic game. the combat can be downright annoying at times. the way the combat In this game is handled is seriously terrible, as you can't really plan what to do. when an attack or defense command is hit, that character must do that for each remaining turn, where items and POW moves take up one slot at a time. this makes the game seriously unbalanced with gameplay. the graphics are terrible. the character models look really clustered up, and don't fit in well with a 2D environment. the soundtrack is the absolute worst in the series, and worst part about the game. each track sounds distorted and annoying, and sounds like a terrible collection of 16-bit music. Overall, what can I say about Sonic Chronicles- the story sounds like poorly written fan fiction, the gameplay is unbalanced and unnatural, and the soundtrack will want you to turn off the game.… Expand
  21. SonicForever
    Jul 1, 2014
    10
    This was a very good game. It was worth every cent. That being said, it was a good move on SEGA and BIOWARE for a lot of people such as myself who are in love with both Sonic as a character and RPGs in general such as Skyrim. Putting the mix into a small cheap handheld gaming console that has very poor graphics and gameplay and adding more story rather than gameplay to it. The fact thatThis was a very good game. It was worth every cent. That being said, it was a good move on SEGA and BIOWARE for a lot of people such as myself who are in love with both Sonic as a character and RPGs in general such as Skyrim. Putting the mix into a small cheap handheld gaming console that has very poor graphics and gameplay and adding more story rather than gameplay to it. The fact that you can now choose what Sonic says to his fellow friends or foes in the game just makes it joyous. I would love SEGA to look back on this and think about a Sonic RPG should they release games out to Next Gen consoles. Of course that and platforming.… Expand
  22. hulmej
    Sep 12, 2015
    10
    This game had a very good story and the game itself is quite long. Just make sure you try to work out where to go by yourself and you should enjoy this game as I have.
  23. GamecubeLover
    Jul 27, 2016
    8
    This game is a very fun RPG and all this hate is coming from people who hate sonic in general cause this game is the bomb! Sure there are flaws but need I say more of how amazing this rpg is.
  24. dogii
    Aug 7, 2016
    8
    Sonic chronicles was the first game I played on my DS. And easily the most enjoyable. I don't feel the same way others have felt for this game since I found the story very engaging. The battles with the chaos-thingies were also really fun with the rhythm aspects. Although some aspects were a bit confusing and some puzzles a bit hard the game was overall very rewarding and enjoyable fromSonic chronicles was the first game I played on my DS. And easily the most enjoyable. I don't feel the same way others have felt for this game since I found the story very engaging. The battles with the chaos-thingies were also really fun with the rhythm aspects. Although some aspects were a bit confusing and some puzzles a bit hard the game was overall very rewarding and enjoyable from the standpoint of my then 12 year old self (7 years ago).… Expand
  25. ashketchum
    Jul 18, 2017
    7
    Sonic Chronicles. The first Sonic RPG game. Exclusively made for DS, it seems to be at least a little inspired by the Mario RPG series. Chronicles is actually a pretty good game. It has a wide selection of available characters, each with their own special movesets and types, that reflect their personalities and abilities seen in other Sonic games. Many of the abilities also use the DSSonic Chronicles. The first Sonic RPG game. Exclusively made for DS, it seems to be at least a little inspired by the Mario RPG series. Chronicles is actually a pretty good game. It has a wide selection of available characters, each with their own special movesets and types, that reflect their personalities and abilities seen in other Sonic games. Many of the abilities also use the DS touchpad pretty well. The story tries to be something more, but ends up a pretty standard story. However, the exploring sections are weak in comparison to the battles, as the worlds all have pretty similar layouts and overall designs, and felt uselessly long. Despite this, it's a game that has a lot of potential.… Expand
  26. Frazo
    Sep 23, 2017
    8
    I've generally enjoyed playing this game since 2008. Yes, the stylus controls are awkward, the combat can get a little tedious and the music is awful, but everything else was good. It isn't a game for everyone, but Sonic fans will get legitimate enjoyment from it.
  27. Amora
    Dec 24, 2018
    8
    Sonic Chronicles is a pretty good RPG mixing a bit from platforming games but still keeping the focus on an RPG but the game doesn't shine sadly with the soundtrack and some of the mechanics that comes with it, but for the time being this is still a really good game!
  28. jvhbv
    Jun 25, 2018
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. While this game isn't exactly what a classical sonic game would look like or feel like, I find that there are some places where I actually loved what they did for the game. As a Sonic the Hedgehog rpg, I believe that it accurately depicts the normal attitudes of most of the cast and gives you enough choices to actually change how you'll play the game. The two largest of those that can change the experience of the game would be unlocking Cream the Rabbit (and her chao Cheese), and unlocking E-123 Omega. When you finally get through the Blue Ridge zone (through an admittedly cryptic puzzle that seems super confusing at first but is actually really easy if you think about it), you finally move into the city of Metropolis, where the party parts into 2 teams, one to help take out marauder ships and gain access to Angel Island, and the other to help shoot down more marauder ships and whatnot. You fight lord Ix in an epic showdown, only to find out that he would escape into a wormhole to otherworldly locations. Shade agrees to join you and you fight through the black hole sun chapter and follow Ix. Skipping all of the other things that the wormhole introduces, you eventually have a final showdown with lord Ix in his perfect form and Super Sonic. When I received this game as a present for my birthday in 2008, I was really excited to play it (because of all the ads for it I saw in the Sonic the Hedgehog archie comics) and I was not let down. I have incredible nostalgia for this game and have played it a few times recently since then, and I still hold the same opinion that I had then. In total I have probably beat this game like 9 or 10 times, and every time that I start a new game+, I get the same great experience I had then. I highly recommend this game, and the only reason that I dinged a point is that some of the puzzles are extremely unintuitive and difficult to figure out, other than that it's a pretty great game.… Expand
  29. Criti-Wise
    Jul 4, 2019
    6
    I'm pretty sure people into RPGs will find this as amusing because of the decent story and nice controls, but this doesn't feel like a Sonic game. This game just seemed so forgettable that I just don't bother picking it up to play anymore.
  30. ZXSth
    Mar 30, 2019
    1
    As a huge fan of both Sonic the Hedgehog and role-playing games, I was thrilled at the thought of playing a Sonic RPG published by Bioware. To say that both Sega and Bioware screwed the pooch here would be a gross understatement.

    I will briefly speak to the few things this game gets right, and say that I enjoyed the way this game solidified and defined the various characters in the    As a huge fan of both Sonic the Hedgehog and role-playing games, I was thrilled at the thought of playing a Sonic RPG published by Bioware. To say that both Sega and Bioware screwed the pooch here would be a gross understatement.

    I will briefly speak to the few things this game gets right, and say that I enjoyed the way this game solidified and defined the various characters in the Sonic franchise. While most are one-dimensional, it was wonderful to see them interacting in a slightly more interesting and complex way than in prior games. Foregoing voice acting, full-motion cutscenes and dynamic character models was a smart decision here, considering the laughably atrocious cutscenes and character interactions of many of the 3D Sonic games. As well, the story is marginally better than those of most Sonic games. Unfortunately, being better than those that came before it one way doesn't save this game from being a clunky, boring mess.

    Making use of the DS stylus mandatory is enough of a mistake for any game on the platform, but to punish the player for failing combos (the reasons why often seeming like the result of poor work on the part of the developers, rather than due to any error on the player's part) adds insult to injury. This would be off-putting enough on its own, but in addition, the music is uncharacteristically atrocious for a Sonic game, and the sound effects used in combat sound like stock effects ripped out of a game made a decade earlier. As if all these flaws weren't enough, dialogue choices have no direct consequences (as far as I could see, at least), and the environments look like grade-school construction paper collages.

    Both Sega and Bioware have proven that they are capable of so much more than this poor excuse for a video game. It is nothing less than an embarrassing stain upon the legacies of both companies, and even on a character with a legacy as messy as Sonic the Hedgehog's.

    Even if you're a hardcore Sonic fan, don't play this.    … Expand
  31. Blackiman
    Jan 29, 2020
    10
    I was able to play this game quite recently, because there was no opportunity to play earlier. When I played the game and read reviews, I was shocked. People complain that this game is bad and one of the worst in the series, but as for me this game is, on the contrary, one of the best. I do not know that people in the game are not happy, because the game was able to entice me and I playedI was able to play this game quite recently, because there was no opportunity to play earlier. When I played the game and read reviews, I was shocked. People complain that this game is bad and one of the worst in the series, but as for me this game is, on the contrary, one of the best. I do not know that people in the game are not happy, because the game was able to entice me and I played it with pleasure.… Expand
  32. Janky77
    Jun 21, 2023
    10
    Sonic Chronicles has the best character interactions in any Sonic Game. I love the story, the rpg gameplay and the character Shade the Echidna. She should definitely make a comeback so Knuckles learn that he isn't truly the last Echidna.
  33. Uradisur
    May 3, 2021
    8
    Очень удачный эксперимент. Я не любитель этого жанра, но игра зашла на ура. Спасибо за интересный сюжет, варианты ответа в диалогах, простую и аутентичную систему прокачки. Ну и отдельное спасибо за классную боевую систему. Игра очень понравилась.Очень удачный эксперимент. Я не любитель этого жанра, но игра зашла на ура. Спасибо за интересный сюжет, варианты ответа в диалогах, простую и аутентичную систему прокачки. Ну и отдельное спасибо за классную боевую систему. Игра очень понравилась.
  34. nahobino5_
    Jun 26, 2021
    8
    This game has its flaws, but it honestly isn't bad. I really enjoyed choosing characters and unique movesets. Using moves and having to get all of the combos right on the touchscreen was really stressful, but in the end it worked out just fine. I really enjoyed all areas and how interactive all the characters are! The comic-style cutscenes were also very enjoyable!
  35. Call-o-freak
    Sep 8, 2021
    9
    Recommended for anyone who is into the RPG genre. Has so many characters to play as, each with their own unique moves, and the chao guardians are a nice addition
  36. E102Gamma
    Aug 8, 2023
    5
    This was my very first RPG. I've completed it three times since first getting it in middle school and it's fine. I'm no expert on RPGs so I won't talk about this for long. I don't remember the story very well as each playthrough lasted over the course of years taking frequent and long breaks along the way. The ending was very underwhelming and it did cause a series of legal battles for aThis was my very first RPG. I've completed it three times since first getting it in middle school and it's fine. I'm no expert on RPGs so I won't talk about this for long. I don't remember the story very well as each playthrough lasted over the course of years taking frequent and long breaks along the way. The ending was very underwhelming and it did cause a series of legal battles for a couple years so there's that.… Expand
  37. Kdog152
    Dec 19, 2022
    6
    Tbh, this game isn't bad. It can be fun at times, but most of the time, it's boring. Tue story is decent but the soundtrack is awful. I can't get over the fact that this is basically a Pokémon game, but with sonic instead and I'm not a big Pokémon fan. I do like how there are multiple playable characters though. However, I won't deny that there is still fun to have and I did enjoy it sometimes.

Awards & Rankings

43
#43 Best DS Game of 2008
7
#7 Most Discussed DS Game of 2008
5
#5 Most Shared DS Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 55 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 30 out of 55
  3. Negative: 0 out of 55
  1. 3DJuegos
    82
    At last, Sonic discovers the RPG games world in a title which disguises the blue hedgehog's universe with some of the best BioWare features. The result is probably one of the best Sonic videogames of the last years and an inevitable purchase for the fans.
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  2. Eurogamer
    70
    Sonic Chronicles is undeniably a nice-looking game, and its slick presentation makes for an enticing experience to begin with. The longer you play, however, the more the cracks start to show, and what seemed like a potential minor classic is soon reduced to just "pretty good".
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  3. Nintendo Power
    80
    Sonic Chronicles may annoy you at times, but it certainly won't ever bore you. [Nov 2008, p.96]
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