Combat is difficult if you just keep attacking with no sense of strategy in saving pp. For multiturn characters, just use defend at the end of your turn so that you regenerate a little pp back. There are equipment that regenerates pp every round, as well as equipment that reduces the pp cost of special moves. There is even Chao that adds pp every round, as well as Chao that increases your max pp.

If you encounter enemies that are ahead of your level, the XP payoff is higher. If you know how to battle enemies, then you get an item and XP in the end. Or, if you think battle is too difficult, you can avoid enemies by quickly moving around (you are using Sonic afterall). However, some paths are too narrow to avoid enemies, so better be prepared.

The maps' layout is unconventional. It would have been easier if they were just plain old 2D maps. You know, where the closest between two points is a straight line. But the levels require you to analyze the layout. Sometimes, a higher area requires you to jump over rooftops farther than the destination. This requires using different characters -- you eventually need someone in your team that can spinball, fly, scale walls, smash things, and endure hazardous areas. It's really a mini puzzle of some sort.

Hmm, Sonic just hasn't gotten a break this generation.

That is what you get when you handle a successful IP like Sonic to a bad developer.

I know.

Now I know this is weird for me to say this coming from someone who felt that Mass Effect was disappointing but I thought Bioware was one of the most respected RPG developers out there

Real gamers don't need attack and defense stats.

Totally different from F-Zero.  Oh wait... ^_^

You made a thread hating my favorite developer because the game is too hard for you.

Weren't you the one who made fun of Soriku for having trouble with Baten Kaitos too?

Just try a little harder. ^_^

Maybe you're outgrowing RPGs then?  I mean, you fight enemies, level up, buy stuff, fight more enemies...etc.  That holds true in pretty much all RPGs.  If that's what's bugging you then just buy different games (like Black Sigil which is going to be epic).

From your above posts where you whine about XP and money and damage... it really sounds like you just can't handle it.  I'm sorry it's not a S-E RPG where they walk you from start to finish in a stroller throwing cutscenes at you in between random fights.  Is it really so tough having an RPG that takes a bit more effort to play?

My favorite aspect of some WRPGs is the intuitive names for the stats.

Strenght - its purpose is to determine if you can equip weapons and armor (95% of the physical damage depends on your equiped weapon). On some games it expands your inventory 9weight capacity). 
Agility - reduces physical damage
Dexterity - affects your attack speed and moving speed
Accuracy - affects your chances to do a critical hit
Endurance/Life/Defense - adds more HP

No stat that affect your magic damage. Magic, mana and wisdom only adds more MP.

Defense is not a proper stat, usually it is affected by 2 or more stats. Most of the damage reduction comes from armor or skills anyway.