Gamespot has said it; IGN has said it. Like a puppy, don't give praise for bad behavior
And anyone who says there isn't anything to work with just doesn't know and appreciate sonic like his true fans. The world of Sonic-SATAM or the comics provides TONS of material to create a dark and impressive storyline. Hearing about Bioware's new project, I was excited and hoped that they would use this goldmine of material. Instead, they choose Big the Cat, Cream and Cheese, and a large breasted CIA bat.
And the bad-ness does not just start with story choice. You have superficial NPCs who look like 'joe-smoe' that lived next door to you for 5 years. "Hey Sonic, can you chop a piece of wood for me?!". Honestly, I think my intelligence quotient just dropped by 4 points.
Not to mention HORRENDOUS music and unconvicing sound effects, poor stylis choices, and frustrating battles with too many misses and regenerating enemies.
Now the good points: It looks nice, I like the dialogue box, and it does seem like a step in the right direction. Despite multiple failures, this game actually does take a small step in the right direction. The story, as bad as it is, has improved from a storyline akin to , oh lets say, Sonic Riders. This game was made with a sense of refreshing novelty and a good story-boost kind of procedure that it might be a good stepping stone for a good sonic game in the future. But stepping stone it will remain, as I will be forever appalled by Sonic Team's choices in character and story.
Is it unfair of me to be so disappointed? I say: look at the facts. Anyone to say this game is ANYWHERE CLOSE to a game like Mario RPG, which IMO, was a complete success, needs to do some thinking. Number one, this means it CAN Be done. Mario RPG was a game that shattered my expectations by creating a convincing universe with fun gameplay, great story, convincing characters, and excellent music. And number 2, did I mention I wasn't a Mario fan really at all? A game can have 'heart' or it can reek of 'hey bob, we need to make a few extra bucks....lets just label 'sonic' on it and call it a rap...oh its OK if the sound sucks or the story is crap, it'll sell enough'. This game, the Dark Brotherhood, reeks of just that. And so games like the Xbox360 Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Adventure series, Sonic Riders, and just about everything I can think of besides the Secret Rings, which isn't by any means a great game. Recall Sonic wishing for a 'tissue box' as one of his last wishes in that game..
Close to a complete failure, but saved a little bit by its nice presentation. Anything beyond that, though, is a poof of disappointing, smelly rot.