Sonic Rush Review (no fat)

Game Description

It has been years since the developers created one of the best platforming games of all time. Back then, they had no idea that their little platformer would grow into a vast series of titles that gamers everywhere would grow to love. Now, hitting video stores everywhere comes the latest Sonic title, not to mention the third title to hit hand held consoles, Sonic Rush. Will gamers get a rush out of this game? Read on to find out.

Sonic Rush Gameplay

Two characters are available for gamers this time around. Of course, there is good old Sonic, but the developers threw something new into the mix. Remember when they introduced Tails into the series way back when? Yeah, this time around, gamers can play as a sassy, babe of a cat named Blaze. What does this mean for gamers? This means that Sonic Rush has major replay value, as gamers will want to know how the storyline between the two characters differs, and how the ending is played out for each character.

This title in the series brings back some of the old school platforming elements that were used in the first title of Sonic the Hedgehog. There are many loops and ramps that players will have a blast shooting from, as well as lots of speed and huge drops. The developers also threw in a few grind rails here and there for added shine. This is where the trick mechanisms come into play. Yes, gamers will be able to pull off tricks in game play a la Tony Hawk style. This doesn’t seem like the type of game to incorporate these aspects in gameplay, but the developers seem to have pulled it off nicely.

Players will have to get used to the fact that the game is played on both top and bottom screens on the Nintendo DS, as it will seem a little awkward at first. When Sonic, or Blaze, go flying upwards off the screen they aren’t out of bounds and un-playable, they are just on the top screen. Sonic Rush isn’t the first game that has used both screens of the hand held console, and it most certainly won’t be the last, but the developers have coupled both screens together very nicely in gameplay, and the transition between the screens is seamless.

Sonic Rush also features a multiplayer mode, where friends can go head to head and battle it out hedgehog style. It even works for gamers who don’t have a cartridge, as the gamer that does can allow his or her friend to download one level to play on. Multiplayer action can also work when all of the gamers have cartridges also, and this way they can play on all of the levels without any hassle. Basically, players will just race each other through the levels to see who can get to the finish line first. Not much of multiplayer play, but it’s enough to suffice.

Sonic Rush Graphics

Graphics in Sonic Rush will remind gamers of the old school Sonic the Hedgehog game, but with some tweaks here and there. The graphics have been updated, to fit the DS’s split screen capabilities, and one of the levels does incorporate the DS’s touch screen capability. The frame rate stays high, and there is almost no pop in. Environments within gameplay are bright and colorful, just like in the original game, although some objects lack details and texture.

Sonic Rush Audio

Sonic Rush features original audio tunes to blast through the DS’s tiny little speakers. The voice work that was done in the game also adds to the look and overall feel of the game. Sound effects are quirky, and that’s not a bad thing, because it is what is expected from games like Sonic. There could have been more music incorporated into the game though, as some of it loops often.

Sonic Rush 2cent

Gamers will be taken back to the days of the first Sonic the Hedgehog game when they pick Sonic Rush up. A classic game with lots of updates is how this game can be described. Gamers young and old will like to play through each level, as it features quick action and plat forming elements all rolled into one tiny little package. The price isn’t too bad either, checking in at $29.99 for the time being.