There seem to be two completely different roads in the Sonic Universe. The 3D Realm of Sonic games, and the Handheld Sonic games, starting with Sonic Advanced, and succeeding into Sonic Rush. Why the 3D Realm decides to play in one genre on one of the games, it slowely decides to cut off that idea in search for something better. The 2D Sonic Realm decides to pick up where the Genesis games left off after the lifespan of the Genesis. Fast elements of Gameplay and short but sweet platforming moments are of the 2D Realms essence, and if this is anything to go by, Sonic the Hedgehog is much better off in the 2D Realm. Period.
Sonic Rush was released Worldwide in November of 2005. Sonic Rush basically succeeds the Sonic Advanced Games from the Game Boy Advanced. The Sonic Advanced series was well recieved worldwide, and was universally acclaimed for returning the Sonic the Hedgehog series in SOME way, to 2D Platforming bliss. When last time, the Sonic 2D Games were on the Game Boy Advanced, this time round Sonic is arriving on the newest Nintendo handheld, the Nintendo DS. After Sonic Rush arrived, a sequel to it, Sonic Rush Adventure was eventually released in September of 2007 (October in Japan).
Sonic Rush shows off the simple, simple formula that Sonic the Hedgehog and its successors on the Sega Genesis had shown off. You go through different Acts in one Zone, and when you get through the Acts you eventually end of fighting a Boss of some kind, but instead of Robotnik, you will be faceing different Robots, much like how the rest of the Sonic Series since the Genesis era have gone. Why yes, it doesnt feel as great as fighting Robotnik, it'll do, but the big question is, what is it about Sonic Rush, that makes it so damn fun, and what holds it back.
For starters, Sonic Rush has a huge advantage over the most recent Sonic games on the market, for the simple reason of it sharing the sense of speed that the 2D games had to offer...but this time, its even faster. Oh yeah, you heard me, faster. Sonic Rush is a constant joy ride. It starts at the first Act in Zone 1, and Sonic Rush just does not stop. Loops everywhere, springs everywhere, this game is just a consistant adrenalin rush, and after all, isnt that exactly what MADE the Sonic Series fun in the first place? going through levels as fast as possible, frequently jumping platforms and destroying enemies?
Another great new, original aspect of this game also is the new Tension Gauge, which basically sends Sonic into hyper-speeds, and this is not just something that happens every once a level, you are going to be able to use this Tension Guage pretty much all the way through the levels, and it really makes the game feel like a Sonic game, fast and furious. There are actually times when using this Tension Gauge that you feel like your losing control of Sonic because your going so fast, and ive got to tell you, its feels absolutely great. Another great addition (Along with the Tension Gauge) is the new trick system, which doesnt really involve any skill, but it fills your Tension Guage with power so that you can use it more.
But this isnt all that makes Sonic Rush such a great game, for example, the Water Zone (as there is ALWAYS a Water Zone in a Sonic game) feels...well, great. They have really improved over the Gameplay of the other 2D Water Zones on the other 2D Games. You dont feel like you slow down hardly atall, there are still plenty of loops and springs and heck, with the new Tension Gauge the Water Zone feels as fun as the rest of the Zones in the game. I really do feel as if they went back to the rest of the 2D Games, and improved greatly over the Water Zones for this game, because this Water Zone beats the rest of them for a mile off.
But its not just the Gameplay thats simply awesome, no no. The Soundtrack in Sonic Rush is immense. They really worked on this soundtrack, and the great thing is, some of the Music that you here in the opening of the Game, and at the Index etc, you will hear in the game, and you will think to yourself "Hey, where have i heard that before?", then you realize, feel like a jacka$*, and go back to enjoying the amazing Soundtrack. It sounds almost like a blend of Hip-Hop and Funk, and is directed beautifully, always sounds good in the Zones, and relates to where you are, and what kind of the level it is in the game. Also, some of the sound effects of older Sonic Games is here, such as the infamous Ring Noise, which is a great little addition.
Another aspect of the game i love, is that it blends the absolute perfect mix of what seems to be excitement, and frustration. But frustrations a bad thing? how can i say thats good? well i can, because i have a valid point. See, Sonic Rush is a amazingly fast and furious game, hell-bent on speeding as fast as you can to get to the next level, and why this is a great thing, is also a curse in itself, because your going so fast and uninterrupted, it feels as if there is no real challenge sometimes...and then you fall into the bottomless pit, and why the bottomless pits and awkwardly placed enemies may recieve some criticism, i applaud the idea. Sonic Rush just wouldnt be as fun as it is if it didnt have these enemies in these places, and these bottomless pits, that make you more aware of the level structure. Bravo Sonic Team, bravo.
As my ending Pro of the game, i would basically say that the Gameplay itself is basically flawless. Sonic Rush feels like ive gone back 10-12 Years, and im playing the Sonic Genesis games. Except this time, its faster than ever, but onto the ending of the Pros...the best part about this game? its on your very own DS. You dont need a whole console to play this game, say you go round your friends, and there doing something, and your bored, you can just slot it in your Nintendo DS, and have an excellent time.
Now yeah, Sonic Rush is a simply stunning way to come back to the speed and excitement of the series, but theres got to be at least some flaws with it. Come on, everybody knows that, hell, there were flaws with Sonic 2, and that was regarded as the best Sonic game ever in most Sonic fans eyes. Well yes, there is, and why there are not many, ill go through with you the set-backs of Sonic Rush.
For the starting con, the Graphics in Sonic Rush could have been improved upon if you ask me. Now this is probably going to get some harsh criticism, but Sonic Rush, in my own opinion, looks much like the Sonic Advance series, and well to be honest, they could have done much better than this. I mean hell, they have Super Mario 64 on the Nintendo DS, im sure they can do more than this! Why yes, Sonic Rush relies on its Gameplay to get it by, which is a great thing in itself, it could have done something more.
Also, and these are just very minor flaws with the game, Sonic Rush...just isnt as good as it would be on the big screen. Yes, the days of 2D Platformers on the big screen are over, and now everythings 3D, (which Sonic is SUCKING at by the way) Sonic Rush would just be so much better looking at it on the big screen in your living room, with your friends watching, but really, its just a minor complaint from a critic, and nothing a little Sonic on the Genesis cant take care of every now and then.
And finally, for the last con of the review...The Voice Acting Sucks. As always in the new Sonic games, they have relied on the same people to do the voices (or so it sounds) for the characters, and why there isnt much dialogue ATALL in the game, which is great for a Sonic game anyway, Tails especially, sounds absolutely terrible. Tails just sounds so...girly, like hes freakin 8, and STILL hes been kicked in the nutsack. Terrible, just terrible. And that, concludes the cons of Sonic Rush, not many, huh?
Sonic the Hedgehog was once a household name, and now is a Worldwide, has-been failure in terms of being a mascot. Sonic Team have either worked SO hard to make the poor Blue Hedgehog a legend again, or, they havent tried atall. All that the Sonic fans know, is that Sonic the Hedgehog had lost his edge when the transition to 3D came around, and no-one was there to help Sonic get back on the horse. Sonic Advanced was a great start at getting the Blue Hedgehog his name back, and Sonic Rush improves the formula, about a hundred times over. Sonic Rush is just simply stunning. The Level design, Gameplay, Sound and Speed of the Game, is just simply awesome. To see a game come out like this is actually quite moving, to see that are Blue friend has finally sky-rocketed his way back onto the Handheld Market, and with such force, makes Sonic Rush a force to be reckoned with.
