More info from NeoGAF:
- Sonic is the Cover Story for this issue of NP. Cover art's nice.
- In game graphics have a watercolor look to them. Everything is hand-drawn.
- 4 party members at a time, 11 total choices, only 7 are known: Sonic, Tails, Amy, Knuckles, Rouge, Shadow, and Big the Cat.
- The party has the ability to split off in to teams at certain parts
- Rings are the game's currency
- Controls are done with the stylus, Phantom Hourglass style.
- No random battles; enemies are seen on the field, Chrono Trigger style.
- Battles are turn based, Final Fantasy style. Select the moves for your entire party and then watch them play out.
- They want the battles to remain as face-paced as possible.
- Special Attacks are executed by doing Elite Beat Agents style screen tapping.
- There are special attacks where two or more characters team up (like Chrono Trigger)
- Instead of MP, you have "Fatigue Points"
- When you level up, you can distribute stat points as you see fit.
- You purchase special attacks and can upgrade them over time.
- "Full Animated Cutscenes" promised
- Remixed classic music
- Side Quests promised
- "Simple Dialog Trees" also planned
- Each area is split in to two acts; first act is in the normal world, second act is in a "dark world" of sorts.
- Plot: Two years since Eggman's last defeat, Sonic is on vacation. Tails notifies Sonic that Knuckles has been kidnapped by a group of marauders and that six of the seven Chaos Emeralds are missing. Eggman's not responsible for any of this, but Bioware wants to make him a credible villain again none the less. They hint at a "twist" regarding Sonic and Eggman that goes all the way back to the early games (perhaps it explains their rivalry? I hope not).
