Sonic RPG: We want to revitalise Big the Cat, says Bioware

Bioware bosses Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk have been talking in public about DS RPG Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood. Big the Cat is about to get a boost, apparently.

"I think maybe the challenge there, if people are not as excited about having the friends, is making them worthwhile, making them a good part of the game," said Zeschuk. "They’re not going to be gimmicky. They’re not going to be side things. It is actually a core part of the gameplay mechanic. It’s actually, we think, going to revitalize the love of the Sonic friends, especially Big the Cat."

Good gravy. Not only is Big being thrust back into the limelight, but Bioware is also focusing on "speed" as a Sonic ability.

"We’re really excited with how you combine narrative flow in a way that’s appropriate to the DS platform and aimed at little younger audience — but really, all ages," said Muzyka. "We’re trying to make a game that is going to appeal to a lot of people. But also to use the best things about the Sonic IP, like speed. It is really about speed for Sonic, but for the other characters it’s about other things. They have their own unique abilities."

Either really, really awesome, or really, really broken. We're staying positive. It's releasing this year.