Sonic gets back to his 2D roots with this super-fast side scroller that improves on the already solid formula
The Bad: flat story telling, Blaze's potential unrealized
Sonic has never really settled in to the realm of 3D gaming so its good to see him back to his roots in the eye wateringly fast sidescroller spanning 7 worlds from the Pyramids to Vegas. Dr. Eggman is up to his usual dirty deeds and its up to Sonic to stop him, but to complicate matters further a mysterious and feisty feline, Blaze is popping up around the place.
The story, which is weak, is told with text and talking heads, we've seen the DS do storytelling right, so why isnt it used here? You'll play as both Sonic and Blaze, sonic with his usual set of moves and Blaze has a set of fire based tricks but the two characters play essentially the same though the story will differ from both perspectives.
From here on in your zooming around strategically designed levels spanning 2 screens, loops, corkscrews, rails and bumpers, they're all here. But this time instead of just holding foward on the d-pad there's a little more to do. For one you now have a tension gague that u build up by pulling off different tricks. With a full bar u go even faster and can flatten enemies with ease, which helps when you're zooming around unsuspecting of an enemy that comes from nowhere. You''ll also deal with switches, moving platforms and other such guff to get through each level to add a little more challenge.
The boss battles are pretty impressive taking the fundamentals of the 2D fights, jumping on the boss a certain amount of time and putting them in a 3D world, these are an exciting new addition to the game and a welcome one as are the chaos emerald collection levels, set in a 3D half pipe you control with the stylus on the touch screen. You must avoid the obstacles while collecting enough coins to fill the quota if you do so you gain an emerald. There are also 3D elements integrated into the main game, which feshen the overall look of the game.
The graphics are crisp, clean and brightly coloured with no slowdow despite the frantic pace. The sound features some voicework and sum great electro beats. With seven worlds and two levels in each theres a fair amount of single player action especially given the two characters and some will want an A ranking in each level. It's all quite pick up and play and there's also a single cart multiplayer race thats a nice additon. But its a modest length but adequate.
Overall Sonic Rush takes the best of the old, adds sum great new elements, refines the overall look and feel and leaves you with the fast pace action you know and love wrapped up in a dual screen package. One of the finest sonic experiences you'll find and a great DS game.
*Insert 'Rush' out to buy this game pun here*