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Sonic Rush

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Sonic Rush is a Sonic the Hedgehog game for the Nintendo DS. It was developed by Dimps, and published by Sega. The game was released in North America on November 15, 2005, and in Europe on November 18, 2005.

Contents

Sonic Rush's use of the Nintendo DS hardware

Sonic Rush is a traditional 2D platformer much like the original 8/16-bit versions and Game Boy Advance titles in the series. However, the main characters, as well as the bosses, are fully polygonal as opposed to use of sprites as all 2D Sonic games had previously used. Stages are sidescrolling. The two DS screens are used to double the display of the play area, joined seamlessly at the bottom of the top screen and top of the bottom screen. The characters will generally be displayed in the center of one screen, only to run, fall or jump into the other screen, making full use of both screens. A different perspective is used during boss battles as they are in 3D.

The DS stylus touch-screen functionality is mostly used in the game's special stages, and can also be used for making selections within the game's menus. Also, if one taps on Sonic/Blaze while the character is on the touch screen, that character does an action.

Characters

There are two playable characters: the titular character, Sonic, and a new face, Blaze the Cat. Blaze has the ability to hover and make use of fire created from her own hands. Both characters have mostly separate adventures (the levels are the same, but in very different orders), but as each character's story progresses, they occasionally bump into each other, and end up working together in the final story.

Story

The story involves Sonic trying to obtain the Chaos Emeralds as usual, while Blaze is trying to get the Sol Emeralds (which came from her dimension) to keep both worlds from being destroyed. There are also two versions of Eggman: the normal Doctor Eggman, and another, Eggman Nega.

Sidekicks

Tails and Cream the Rabbit show up in cutscenes and cheer you on during bosses; Sonic has Tails tag along, while Blaze is followed by Cream. Knuckles, Vanilla and Amy all appear, but for little more than cutscenes.

Gameplay

Sonic Rush also builds on the trick system introduced in Sonic Advance 2 adding a point combo system to it and a grade system, both of which had been introduced into the Sonic series in Sonic Adventure 2. Also added to the game is a "Tension Gauge" which can be filled by using tricks and defeating enemies. The energy can be used to perform an extremely fast dash (which can defeat enemies as well), and in accessing the Special Stages (only as Sonic) via the spinning generators.

The special stage in Sonic Rush is reminiscent of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which sees you running through a half-pipe, grabbing as many rings as possible to meet the required amount. The various obstacles make each special stage a little tougher than the last, with the seventh special stage being the most difficult, but not nearly as difficult as the Altitude Limit Boss, the Dead Line Zone Acts, or the Final Zone Boss. This is also where the touch screen comes into play as instead of the direction pad being used, you use the stylus or your finger to move along the left or right to guide Sonic in the that direction. Also, there are enemies to destroy by tapping on them or you could end up losing rings.

There are also special bumpers which bounce Sonic high into the air, giving him enough height to do some tricks. As fast as you can, you need to tap the numbers in the right order to win bonus rings for you only have a few seconds to activate all of the numbers. The faster you activate all of the numbers the more rings you win, but if you take too long or you activate the wrong number in order, the trick is failed and you get no rings. For the harder special stages later in the game, activating the numbers with strokes of the stylus seems to be much faster than tapping them, because not only will the amount of numbers to click increase in the later Special Stages, but the time given to activate the numbers will also decrease. However, often times the numbers do not appear in the order necessary to implement a stroking maneuver, making this technique all but useless. There are 7 of the stages, one for each of the levels, and can only be accessed by Sonic, as Blaze collects the Sol Emeralds after each boss battle.

Multiplayer

Sonic Rush uses single card and multi-card wireless play; there is also an option within the game to send demos to your friends. The multiplayer mode in Sonic Rush features a race between Sonic and Blaze in one of the many levels in the game, much akin to that of the multiplayer mode in the Sonic Advance series; the biggest difference is that now on DS, even if you're playing with DS owners without the game, you can race on the levels in-game rather than a download only course. More multiplayer only power-ups have also been added.

Music

The music is atypical for the Sonic series, incorporating more overt funk and hip hop influences. The soundtrack was composed by acclaimed Sega composer Hideki Naganuma. His sound work has been noted as a primary factor in driving sales of the game. Sonic Rush's use of rails, stunts and cell shading recalls an earlier Naganuma project, Jet Set Radio.

The song "Kick the Eggman!" from the soundtrack is a remix of the original "Green Hill Zone" Theme from Sonic the Hedgehog.

Naganuma's affinity for hip hop and sampling led him to use a sample of Malcom X proclaiming "Too black! Too strong!" in the tracks "Wrapped In Black" (named for another, unidentified sample) and "Groove Rush #8". This sample was previously used by Public Enemy to start their track "Bring the Noise" from the album /It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back/. This caused some confusion or delight, depending on how familiar the user was with the work of Public Enemy.

Other notable soundtracks by or involving Hideki Naganuma include the Ollie King and Jet Set Radio OSTs.

Reaction

Reviews by both critics and players were positive overall, praised for returning to the franchise's roots, it's limited use of characters (contrast with the mascot laden Sonic Heroes and Shadow the Hedgehog) and it's highly acclaimed soundtrack (see below). Critical sticking points include the poorly designed and protracted boss fights, and the game's pointless use of mascot characters to occupy the lower screen during battles.

Shadow the Hedgehog was released the same day and sold more copies in spite of extremely poor reviews, possibly due to it's multiformat release. In Europe, Sonic Rush is a solid seller in the DS range.

Zones

[Spoiler warningSpoiler warning]: Plot and/or ending details about boss battles follow.

The following zone order only relates to Sonic's storyline. Blaze's zone order is listed below.

Leaf Storm

A classic forest based level with many corkscrews and vines that rotates the character around and leads them into a spring. At the end, Eggman appears in a long multi-jointed mecha similar to the Egg Viper from Sonic Adventure that will try to crush the player. Eggman can be beaten by jumping on the cockpit after it tries to crush the character.

Water Palace

A large palace partially submerged in water, similar to Ocean Palace in Sonic Heroes, with giant fans that must be boosted into to be sent upwards. Eggman has a large plesiosaur that can crush and bite the player, but can be beaten by jumping on its head.

Mirage Road

A level modeled after Ancient Egypt. At the end of Act 2, Sonic will enter a fight rather like Final Fight and be able to move up and down. In addition, certain rooms will seal the character in, only to be opened again when all enemies are defeated. Eggman will attack with a scarab beetle robot and toss balls with retractable spikes at you. Hit the ball while the spikes are down and, if it hits the boss from behind, the ball will smash against the boss. (If it hits the boss from the front, the boss will merely catch the ball without taking damage.)

Night Carnival

This zone is closely inspired by its predecessor, the Carnival Night Zone of Sonic 3 and features balloons, fireworks and bright neon signs. Certain rails and platforms must be activated via switches, and only remain usable by the player for a small period of time. Eggman will attack with a mecha that looks like a carnival ride, consisting of a cockpit and an electric ball on opposing sides, and a central pivot which rotates and teeters the cabins up and down. Can be beaten by hitting the ball while it's not electrically charged to lower the cockpit, and then by jumping on it. There is also a mechanical turtle that can help you jump higher to hit the cockpit. This boss can crush and electrocute the player.

Huge Crisis

A large battleship-themed level with cranes to ride on and large tunnels to be shot through. It also appears to have GUN mechs scattered throughout the level. Eggman will attack with a revamped version of the Leaf Storm boss, that also fire missile shells at you.

Altitude Limit

A giant highway literally levitating in the sky. The levels are mostly made up of grinding rails. There are also sections where you must fly in a hang glider. Eggman will attack with a flying mecha that can shoot bullets and blow you off the stage. If you get hit by his slam attacks, you are stunned for a bit. If you are blown off, it is a one-hit ko.

Dead Line

A giant space station with altering gravity like the Death Egg. At the end of the zone, rather than fighting Eggman or Eggman Nega, you must fight against either Sonic or Blaze, depending on which character you selected. (Oddly enough, Cream actually cheers for Blaze when Sonic takes damage, instead of panicking)

F-Zone

F-Zone (considered short for "Final Zone") is the name of this zone. It is a platform on a spaceship escaping from Dead Line and reentering Earth's atmosphere, and it conisists just one boss battle. This time Eggman pilots a large humanoid mecha that can attack with crushing fists, electricity, and a laser beam that leaves a trail of explosions. When he tries to smash you with both fists at once, if you are hit you will instantly lose a life, even if you have rings. Beat him by climbing the arm and jumping on its head.

Exception

Unlocked by beating the game once with each of the characters and collecting all Chaos Emeralds (in Sonic's story of Gameplay Mode). You fight in space, similar to the "Doomsday Zone" from Sonic & Knuckles and "The Final Hazard" from Sonic Adventure 2, taking turns between controlling Super Sonic and Super Blaze.

Blaze's Zone Order

Spoilers end here.

Awards

Trivia

External links

References

Sonic the Hedgehog series
Main series Sonic the Hedgehog | Sonic 2 (Beta) | Sonic CD | Sonic 3 | Sonic & Knuckles | Sonic 3D Blast | Sonic Adventure\ | Sonic Adventure 2\ | Sonic Heroes | Shadow the Hedgehog
Upcoming Titles Sonic (2006) | Wild Fire | Rivals
8-bit series Sonic the Hedgehog | Sonic 2 | Chaos | Triple Trouble | Blast
Handheld series Pocket Adventure | Sonic Advance/N | Advance 2 | Battle | Advance 3 | Rush
Spin-offs and related titles Flicky | Eraser | Waku Waku Sonic Patrol Car | SegaSonic the Hedgehog (Cosmo Fighter) | Chaotix | Spinball | Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine | Labyrinth | Drift/Drift 2 | Tails Adventure | Tails' Skypatrol | Sonic the Fighters | Schoolhouse | R | Shuffle | Pinball Party | Sonic Battle | Riders
Compilations Classics | Jam | S&K Collection | Mega Collection/Plus | Gems Collection
Cancelled titles Sonic Crackers | Sonic X-Treme

 

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