"Best Sonic game ever? Not quite, though a good effort."

Man, there was so much hype surrounding this game you'd think it was S3&K reborn or something (which, apparently, some people actually think it is). I don't think I've seen so much hype or positive press over a game since the advent of Halo 2 (okay, maybe that's stretching it, but still...). So obviously, with all its rave reviews in hand, I went in with high expectations. Did it deliver? Read on...

Graphics are, quite surprisingly, nothing really to write home about. In-game visuals are on-par with the likes of Sonic Advance 3 and could easily by replicated on the GBA, perhaps with the exception of Sonic's sprite, which seems to be not a sprite at all but a miniature 3D model running amok around your DS screens. I know it's not necessarily a bad thing, but if you're going to make the characters 3D, it just seems you could also do so much more... Characters are fairly well rendered, at what seems to be N64 graphic quality. You don't see them too often, save for the main menu screen and a few instances when they'll be dancing around for you like morons every time you complete an act.

I'll say this right now. I may be mobbed for saying it, or stalked, or tarred and feathered, or whatever. I'm sorry, but I absolutely hate, and I mean I can't stand the soundtrack. Oh God, the soundtrack. Why, SonicTeam, why? Gone are the tried-and-true hard rock works of Jun Senoue and in are the overly-peppy, irritatingly cheerful tunes from some guy I can't even pronounce or spell. I mean, when I start playing a level called HUGE CRISIS or DEAD LINE or something and hear little Japanese kids chanting to some upbeat nursery rhyme tune, I'm afraid I have to draw the line there. I'm playing a darkly-themed outer space level, not "Sonic and Friends Sing the Alphabet". SonicTeam, if you're listening (and I know you're probably not), get Senoue back. The music'll be much better for it.

Other than the slightly-off-track musical score, sound is basically all as it should be. Rings, springs, and other things (ooh, I've waited a long time to use that one...) sound like they should, so I don't have too many complaints in that area. Blaze's voice actor doesn't bug me as much as I thought she would, so I guess I'll save space by not complaining about that either.

Speaking of which, there's the newcomer, Blaze the Cat. At first sight I thought Shadow had gone and gotten seriously high, dyed his hair, and started cross-dressing. But alas, we have yet another new character on our hands, and it's another moody, slightly disturbed one to boot. I'm not sure whether I'm supposed to like her or not (if I am, then things are definitely not looking good), but the back of the box promises that she's "A new female companion created exclusively for this game", so I wouldn't get too attached. Of course, that's what everyone thought about Shadow, and look what happened to him...

So let's bring ourselves together...graphics are good, with sound there's some good, some bad, and some ugly, and have also got a half-likable new character. Things are looking grim. But wait! This is a job for the gameplay!

The game's played just like you'd think it is: blast through the levels in ten minutes or less (timer can be toggled on or off), grab rings, snag an emerald, fight the boss, rinse and repeat as necessary. Levels, this time, are designed a bit more vertically-oriented so as to cater to the dual screen layout, though it actually works pretty well. The game pulls it off without too much of a hitch, though for a while the switching between screens will probably confuse you just a little. Special Stages have been modeled after the ever-popular Sonic 2 format: race down a giant chute, collect a certain amount of rings, repeat and get the emerald. Fortunately this is executed well, and even incorporates the stylus to good effect. Getting into the Special Stages isn't frustratingly hard, either. But to explain that, first I'll talk about a little thing called tension. Tension in this game isn't the force that makes you want to throw things around and hit people; it's a little gauge to the left that is basically "boost fuel". Tap X or Y whenever there's any juice at all in it, and you'll go roaring off in a burst of speed. This can be held out as long as your heart desires, or at least as long as there's anything in the gauge. Now, to enter a Special Stage, you must find a "special gimmick" hidden in the levels. Grab it and hold down X or Y to spin rapidly around it. If you have enough juice and can boost long enough you'll warp. Tension can be raised easily: by tricking and defeating enemies. Tricking basically works like it did in Advance 2, though now you can also use the B button. As far as differences go between Sonic and Blaze, they are negligible.

Overall, the gameplay is fast and fun, though also contains those slow, platform-jumping elements to balance it out. Transition between these different segments isn't as smooth as it could be, though it isn't too noticeable later on.

As far as multiplayer goes, the game supports wireless play with one or more game cards, though this time around for two players only, contrary to the usual four. It's all right, as per usual, though not quite as good as the heights reached by Advance 3's superb multiplayer modes.

Summary

The Good
+ Good, balanced gameplay
+ Special Stages aren't a royal pain
+ Decent sound
+ Good visuals
+ Caters well to the DS format
+ Good multiplayer support

The Bad
- Absolutely horrid soundtrack
- The same voices are still irritating
- Not enough difference between the two characters

Final Thoughts:
Sonic Rush is a good game, even a great game, though I can't really see what warrants it as being called "the best ever". Certainly Sonic & Knuckles was better than this, as is the case with all of these sequels and such of late. If Sonic can't take a look back at where he's been and rediscover the bygone greatness of the Genesis days, then I can't really say I have optimistic views of his future. For now though, Sonic Rush is a good effort that combines the speed element with old-fashioned platform hopping to create a nice, fun, enjoyable ride. Sonic fans will want to buy this game; others may want to rent first or just stay away if not interested.

Final Score: 8/10

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/24/06