It will be a sad day when new handheld game systems are able to match the 3D graphics capabilities of the big-boy consoles. Then we might not see anymore side-scrolling 2D nostalgia trips, such as Sonic Rush Adventure, a follow-up to 2005's Sonic Rush, which is currently barreling toward the Nintendo DS. Rush Adventure is set in a tropical island chain and will see Sonic blazing trails from left to right as he traverses all kinds of brightly colored environments, only some of which appear to actually have a tropical theme to them. The game will pit Sonic and friends against a nefarious dude named Captain Whisker, who we didn't see firsthand but sounds to be of the decidedly piratical sort.
The game is played entirely in 2D in typical Sonic fashion, but Sonic and team will employ the DS' modest 3D capabilities to pull off some nifty effects during most levels. One section had Sonic grabbing onto a swinging hook that would swing toward the camera as it brought him up to the next-highest platform. Another area featured pistons that Sonic had to avoid; getting hit by one would launch him abruptly toward the camera, almost as if he was going to slam into it. Mostly, though, this looks like typical Sonic gameplay that's been satisfying platforming fans for nearly two decades now.
However, there will be a few additions to the gameplay. Sonic will have four tricks he can perform in midair that you'll access with the touch screen, and each time you perform one of these tricks, you'll help build up a tension meter. Once that meter is full, you can use it to perform a speed burst that ought to come in handy in various situations. The hang glider that made an appearance in Sonic Rush is back, only this time you'll be able to exercise a level of control over its flight. And finally, Sonic will have access to five boats of varying types that he can use to travel from one island to the next. You'll see an overhead map of all the islands you've discovered so far, and you'll plot your course from one island to the next by drawing a line on the map with the stylus. Then, once you're following that general course, you'll use the stylus to move your boat left or right during a third-person action stage in which you'll hit ramps and pick up rings. The island chain will even feature some hidden islands that you'll end up discovering as you sail from one known island to the next.
Sega's literature also says Sonic Rush Adventure will include a multiplayer mode composed of "wireless racing and mission-based battles" that will work via either local wireless or Internet play, though we didn't get to see those in action. But even without multiplayer, Rush Adventure is looking like a solid new entry in the 2D Sonic series, and while the DS hardware is still kicking, we'll gladly take as many of those as we can get.
nice, lets go back to the origins
Back to the past!
Sonic Rush Adventure will be a very good game and maybe the best sonic game for the DS of its time. I cant wait for it to come out ^ ^
I hope it has codes for the golden Sonic Like the old school games!
I agree with binx_the_fox. Hopefully, they'll make SRA much longer than the original; it was a bit too short for my liking. And it can't be any worse than a good portion of the 3D games... :P
i hope this is better than the last one... it was way too easy... and didn't have the magic of the old games...
Excellent! If it's anywhere near as good as the first it will be amazing =]
Can't wait for this ... too bad that when this comes out, the DS game drought is over
This is gonna be the best game on DS and all handhelds.
Looks great, I can't wait to play it.
I'm glad to see they got rid of the tails cheerleading squad/map guide, It was kind of annoying in the first game, made me feel like I was playin a kiddy game, though it didn't stop me
yeah, I would like to play as knuckles, but if this is anything like the first, I'd buy it. (meaning 1st one = good)
sounds good, ut I hope they replace Blaze with Knuckels instead
Meh, the first Sonic Rush was decent, but they'll need a big improvement with this one to win me over. The level design was bland and generic, definitely the worst 2D Sonic yet. This one at least looks better, though.
Good point from azteka24, the chao garden in Sonic Advance was cool, and it'd be fun to have fights with your Chaos using the WiFi.
I enjoyed Sonic Rush, and if this will keep Sonic alive (he was hopeless on the 360), I say "BRING ON THE ADVENTURE!!!"
I'd love play as tails, knuckles, silver or shadow Apparently you can play as blaze again
I wouldn't mind seeing a PSP version of this game.
They should call this Sonic DS on crack that's how awesome it's going to be
I'm hoping this game has more actual platforming than its predecessor. Sonic Rush was TOO fast, if you ask me...it would have been better named "Sonic Advance 2 part 2." And I still would rather see a proper console 3D Sonic...
this sonic game might be a winner
sonic rush is one of my favorite ds games. i still think it's the best sonic game of all time. very happy to hear that a sequel is coming out :)
bring back the chaos garden
[This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]
I wish they'd ditch all these new villains they keep coming up with and just stick with good ol' Dr. Robotnik. Seriously, he was the villain for years but now he's been stuck with as second bannana or partner to the new villains in the last few games. Honestly, that's like swapping Bowser out for a new villain in a Mario game. There are some formulas you just don't **** around with.
AceCometh "I've always loved the Sonic franchise, but the last few games have royally sucked. Hopefully this will get the blue hedgehog back on track." Umm... Sonic Rush wasn't good? The general consensus was that it rocked the house. I personally loved Rush and I'm looking forward to this sequel.
Hideki Naganuma better do the music again..
Please please don't let this one be a failure!
Kool Nintendo+Sega= ???
Sonic you rock!!!
I dont want more new good guys. We already have plenty of good guys.
I've always loved the Sonic franchise, but the last few games have royally sucked. Hopefully this will get the blue hedgehog back on track.
oh I hope they ditch the crappy characters like blaze, etc. Sonic's name is on the title, you should only play as sonic!!! And not have to trudge through the game as awful characters just to complete it properly... I would love to have a really cool race type situation game on the ds as multiplayer. Like, if one player gets to the first checkpoint, this enables that person to initiate traps or alternate routes in the course, etc. Much better than just plain racing. And I see that in this game its going to have a mariokart-esque treasure hunting dynamic, I hope its fun, and not a waste of time. I am looking forwards to this, especially if they get the music right too. But I am dreading having to play the game as crappy characters like blaze, and have tails shout "oh no! sonic" everytime you get hit by a boss...
Cool I love the first sonic rush, sonic really doesn't translate well to 3D so its nice to know we are getting another rush :D.
The first Sonic Rush was great and I hope they continue making these great 2D Sonic games. Some things are just better the way they used to be :)
Classic style games like this are ace. We need to keep them around as long as we can.
3D backgrounds are fine with me although I don't think if you have the technology you should feel you have to use it. What's wrong with making the game longer or having twice as many character animations?
Keep the good Sonic games coming to the DS!! I still enjoy playing Sonic Rush can't wait to get ahold of this game.
interesting
See this is what they should do with the 3-D until they get a competent team for the full 3D games. Integrate it into the 2D just to make it look really awesome. I can't wait.
I tested this game, and I honestly agree with ctkxtreme. Theres nothing wrong with keeping the character lineup the same, especially for such a classic.
Looks fun! :)
Sonic Rush was great, I'm looking forward to this.
I gotta try the first game first. Looks really fun.
The first was easily my favorite sonic title ever, I really hope this one can live up to it.
hmm! sweet! I loved the first, should love the second too!
i might check it out.
Seriously, we don't need more Sonic characters.
Sonic and Tails or Blaze and Raccony are playable so far
i wonder who is playable?