Lawrence.com

QuickView:

Good: Best Sonic ever?

Bad: Only if you don't like Sonic.

Blaze: Hot or not? We say Hot.

While the DS hype takes a backseat to the launch of the Xbox 360 (as has the rest of the video game industry), a few AAA titles are being released in the mean time. One of these titles is Sonic Rush, an original Sonic 2-D platformer. Sonic Rush is fast, exciting and will blow your handheld mind away.

The biggest feature of Sonic Rush is the combination of the top screen and the lower screen to form one gigantic vertical playing view. The Sonic Team essentially had to develop a camera system that would complement this viewing style well enough so the gamer doesn't lose track of the controlled character. They executed this flawlessly as the larger viewing area makes the speed of Sonic seem faster and have more freedom of movement. It also allows for the level to be larger with interactive objects and obstacles we are use to in Sonic (springs, corkscrews, loops, etc). As you move around the level, the AI controlled camera will decide which screen is best positioned and suited to display where your character is in the level. It's a bit awkward at first changing your eyes' focus from one screen to another, but it's something that will only take a couple minutes to get use to.

Sonic has also been given new moves as well. There is a new boost meter where when used Sonic will gain a charge to his sprinting that will allow him a burst of speed and the ability to takeout enemies in his path. This will alleviate those times when you are recklessly charging ahead and might need some protection when enemies get in the way. The meter can be filled by grinding on objects or doing tricks in midair. Grinds are simply done by landing on grindable objects and tricks are performed when coming off a grind or a spring. These midair tricks are done by moving the D-Pad while airborne. The trick system adds a bit more flavor to the standard Sonic gameplay, but the boost you gain from filling the meter is a great payoff.

As usual with the Sonic series, there will be many secret areas and unlockables that can be discovered by completing stages with certain requirements. To make the game deeper, Sonic Rush introduces Blaze, Sonic's babe counterpart. Each character has a different stage progression so you'll be playing different areas, not just different characters.

Sonic Rush also features single cartridge wireless multiplayer. You'll square off with a friend to see who can get to the end of the stage first. Team Sonic also decided to include a shareable demo so that players who don't own the game can get a taste of it from someone who does. These multiplayer modes and downloadables aren't necessarily what make the game good, but they are great bonuses.

Speed and fast movement has always been the cornerstone of the Sonic series, and it's here that the technicalities of the visuals are very important. Team Sonic obviously knew this and churned out a Sonic game that doesn't suffer from any framerate issues and is also able to produce some wonderfully colored environments and stages. The sound is just as energetic as the action. The music is catchy and the added voice work help with the Sonic charm we are so use to.

Sonic Rush lives up to the Sonic history and some have labeled the best 2-D Sonic ever. While this is debatable, the bottom line is that Sonic Rush is an amazing Sonic title that old school gamers and new school gamers should not miss out on.

Graphics: A-

Sound: A-

First Play: A-

Last Play: A

Gameplay: A

Overall: 93% A