Sonic the Hedgehog Creator Expresses Interest in Developing an RPG

Sonic franchise leader Takashi Iizuka aspires to develop a Sonic the Hedgehog RPG before retiring, as the iconic character has yet to star in an RPG made by Sonic Team, with the only such title being the 2008 Bioware release Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood.

Sonic the Hedgehog franchise boss Takashi Iizuka has expressed his desire to create a Sonic-themed RPG before retiring from the series. While the Sonic franchise is primarily known for its fast-paced platforming, Sega and Sonic Team have explored various gaming genres with the iconic hedgehog, including racing, party, sports, and pinball games. However, they have not yet ventured into the RPG genre themselves.

The only Sonic RPG to date was Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, a collaboration between Bioware and Sega for the Nintendo DS. This turn-based RPG featured a new threat, the Nocturnus Clan, and leveraged Bioware's expertise in Western RPGs. Unfortunately, the game received mixed reviews, and its canonical status was called into question due to a plagiarism lawsuit. Despite this previous attempt, Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka remains interested in developing a proper Sonic RPG, seeking to expand the franchise's lore and gameplay experiences before his retirement.

During a Summer Game Fest interview, Sonic franchise boss Takashi Iizuka expressed interest in creating a Sonic the Hedgehog RPG, noting that Sega owns acclaimed RPG studios like Atlus and Ryu Ga Gotoku. Iizuka, a fan of RPGs, was surprised Sonic Team had not yet developed a Sonic-themed role-playing game.

Sonic's Only RPG Venture Was Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood by BioWare

Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, the only Sonic RPG to date, was developed by BioWare, not Sonic Team. While Sonic franchise boss Takashi Iizuka expresses interest in creating a Sonic RPG before retirement, he notes there are currently no concrete plans for such a game.

Sonic's diverse cast could thrive in an RPG format, allowing lesser-known characters like Silver, Blaze, Tangle, and Whisper to showcase their unique abilities alongside franchise mainstays Sonic, Knuckles, and Shadow. Fans are eager for the Sonic franchise to explore the RPG genre, which could provide a platform to spotlight the series' expansive ensemble. However, according to Sonic franchise boss Takashi Iizuka, while he is personally interested in the idea, there are currently no official plans for a Sonic-themed RPG.