Games

Sonic: The Dark Brotherhood

Publisher: Sega

Platform: Reviewed on DS

Price: From £24.99

Certificate: 7+

Sonic returns to the DS but will he put the gaming world in a spin?

Sega's little blue mascot has made his latest appearance on Nintendo's DS handheld console and from the very beginning everything looks impressive.

Strangely 'Sonic' and friends are not here to entertain with a full throttle platformer. Instead this is a roleplaying adventure game where the player searches for answers regarding the disappearances of Knuckles and the famed Chaos Emeralds.

Strangely it's been developed by Canadian developers Bio Ware who are responsible for the groundbreaking first person shooters - 'System Shock' and the awe inducing 'Bio Shock'. And what's more this title follows a Japanese tradition of gaming, resulting in a story and text heavy, turn based epic.

Thankfully 'Sonic' suits this sort of adventure and right from the very get-go this is an entertaining and intriguing journey into the hedgehogs world as interpreted by one of the bravest, most innovative studios out there.

The environments are colourful when needed, moody and glum when this is more appropriate. And 'Sonic', Tails and company look good on the DS platform. The world came to love these characters on the MegaDrive so displaying the blue guy on a more powerful machine albeit screen size really isn't an issue.

Despite not being able to dart around, movement is swift and combat is enjoyable, reminiscent of 'Final Fantasy 7'. As such players cannot rely on their quick reflexes when it comes to combat due to the very nature of the aforementioned turn based system but they do have other options.

The magic system here is the key equaliser here - letting our heroes conjure whirlwinds, deliver crazy axes kicks, and more. As such it could be argued that this incarnation of Sonic is the strongest variation ever seen.

Regardless of Sonic's' eventual power level combat is still fun, even thrilling in certain sections. It's real, addictive, number-crunching stuff. Little combats are quirky and quick while end of level bosses in 'The Dark Brotherhood' is still challenging - edge of the seat stuff.

Finally exploration manages to work well too, complimenting the fighting well. As ever in good JRPG styled games, is as rewarding as the player makes it, which is potentially excellent. And the bound to be ignored in the UK, trading feature is here too. Fun, but unworthy of mention outside of a Japanese school yard.

So overall while not Sonics tradition fare this is an excellent adventure in the hedgehogs' world. Time can be taking to ask the questions that have always needed answer in the text screens and batter bad guys in the combat screens just like 'Sonic' should.

As far as RPG fans are concerned this may well be the perfect title for the Nintendo DS.