i love sonic
Tools for this page
Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood
(2008, Video Games - Role Playing Games, Rated E)
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8. -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Speedster hedgehog ventures forth into RPG-land.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 8 and Up
The good stuff
-
Educational value:
What to watch out for
-
Violence & scariness:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood was written by Harold Goldberg
Parents need to know that this is not the typical Sonic game and it's far more complex than the usual platform game. This E-rated game has some cartoon punching. Because of some repetitive gameplay, it may bore younger players.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the various powers Sonic and his pals have. Which power would you like to have in real life? Of all the Sonic characters, which is most like you? This is the first Sonic role-playing game. Would you like to see more? Why, or why not?
More on Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood
What’s the Story?
When you think of Sonic the Hedgehog, Sega's fleet-footed mascot, you think of speedy platformer games full of running, jumping, and rushing crazily about like a roller coaster gone off the rails. But Sonic, who's been around for 17 years now, is now venturing into a new video game genre. By mixing Sonic's mythic backstory into a role-playing format, Sega has created SONIC CHRONICLES: THE DARK BROTHERHOOD, a fairly deep DS offering centering upon a simple premise: someone or something has kidnapped Knuckles, Sonic's sometime pal and sometime rival. It's up to Sonic and ten of his pals to find the sharp knuckled, short-tempered Knuckles.
Sonic Chronicles shines as an entry-level role playing game that has at least 20 hours of game within, all of which is played via the touch screen. As you play as a Level 1 Sonic, you're given a generally understandable tutorial which tells you how to move Sonic by touching a spot on the lower screen to which you want him to travel. You're told to talk to everyone by touching icons above them and you're shown how get powerups by simply running into them. The battle system, which at one point not only has you fighting but chasing down a drone, is also explained in the too-long tutorial.
CloseIs It Any Good?
BioWare, the game developer, impressively put a lot into a game. The graphics and cut scenes are full of personality and panache. The characters and story become really interesting one-third of the way through. And the battle system comes with a variety of ways to combat enemies by using all of Sonic's pals. But by trying to do everything their way, some elements were left out.
After a few hours of play, you'll find that battles take too long and can get boring, despite the variety of so-called POW moves, which are implemented via the touch screen. You do have to play a mini-game to make sure you hit your opponent with the POW move, but these sometimes don't have enough diversity in them. As with many RPGs, you must do a lot of exploring for not much payoff. Plus you meet a lot of the same enemies when backtracking. And yet, you have to applaud this detailed effort that's often brilliant. For instance, you'll like discovering Chao eggs, which, when put in your garden, grow up to be powerful helpers in battle. You can trade Chao wirelessly, too, if your pal has another Sonic Chronicles game. So while the new Sonic isn't perfect, overall, it's joy to play.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 09/30/2008, price $34/99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E (for Mild Cartoon Violence)
ESRB rating: E (for Mild Cartoon Violence)
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
- Easy to play
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
get your kids into rpgs with sonic!
good kid game
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
OK For ds
Sashasimba123 really likes the charactors and it has good graphics
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Do you play it? 
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
class clowen recommends:
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
for kids age 7
See more from class clowen
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
for kids age 7
See more from class clowen
