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[The Main Event]

http://www.gamespot.com/ds/action/sonicds/news.html?sid=6136231&mode=previews

Our latest exclusive look at the title let us get a crack at a near-final version of the game, which appears to be capably living up to the promise of its first impression. Sonic Rush appears to be serving up a winning distillation of what you'd want out of a proper Sonic game.

The levels you'll be tearing through will feature the same motifs you'd expect from a Sonic game, so plan on tearing through a grassy area with hills, a watery temple, a casino, an air level, and so on. The levels feature some fresh designs, thanks to new elements such as bungee ropes that drop you and shoot you up into the air; winding ropes that whip you around and fire you off into the ether; underwater mines you'll need to ride for short periods before they explode so you can access new areas; and massive waterwheels that spin you around to new areas while you're swimming, to name a few.

In Sonic Rush, these points take the form of special generators you hang on to and use your boost to spin around fast enough to open a portal that sucks you in. Once in the stages, which are in line with the third-person tube runs introduced in Sonic 2, you'll need to bust out your stylus and control Sonic by sliding it in a half-circle area within the tub.

The visuals in the game are outstanding and make good use of the DS' unique rendering qualities. The stages, backgrounds, and basic enemies for the main game are done in sharp, colorful sprites that are rich with detail.

The audio actually matches the slick presentation in Sonic Rush, thanks to a robust and technically impressive assortment of sound, voice, and music.

However, the hands-down best part of Sonic Rush's audio is its soundtrack--a stellar, catchy mix of music and sound samples that are great. Though the tunes aren't quite in line with the J-poppy Sonic-style tunes we've come to expect, in fact, they actually call to mind Jet Grind Radio's beat-heavy soundtrack (for those who remember it); they suit the action and this new take on Sonic to a tee.

Based on what we played so far, we feel safe in saying that its doubtful that Sonic Rush is going to disappoint.

The touch screen use is new to me. Overall, good to see that Sonic Team is finally handling a Sonic game properly.

 

[drohne]

Based on what we played so far, we feel safe in saying that its doubtful that Sonic Rush is going to disappoint.

by prevailing gamespot standards, this is actually an unqualified endorsement. i now feel somewhat justified in asserting that sonic rush may or may not, ultimately, be a more or less satisfactory game for those gamers who may in the past have enjoyed games of this type to one degree or another.

 

[Meier]

Sonic Rush was really, really good at E3. Unless something has gone terribly wrong since then, it should receive a very solid 8 or higher from most reviewers.

 

[Leatherface]

 

[Rlan]

Great. Yeah, the music from the main trailer floating around is awesome! Very catchy. Apparently you can get a soundtrack if you pre-order from SEGA Japan, or something.

The stylus use was shown in about 3 famitsus ago. You can do some sort of tricks in the middle of the Special Stage too. Don't know how it'll work out though, as it doesn't look like you can spin around the tube ala Sonic 2 / Sonic 3D Saturn. Looks a little too much like the Sonic 3D PC Special Stage, which was crap.

Just by the couple of bosses shown [Slamming head Dragon and Rock throwing Dungbeatle], I can already tell that they are 500x better than any of the Sonic Advance bosses. Sonic Advance Boss Stages were so incredibly lame. And due to their nature, it doesn't look like we'll have to drive through all the Boss stages again to get to the final stage [Like Advance 2].

Only bad thing I can see is that Sonic to Blaze comparison for Eggman is just a repainted Eggman. Whose name is, for a lack of imagination, "Eggman Nega". Pfft. Ah well.

 

[Smiles and Cries]

I'm going to need so much DS money for Nov-Dec

this sounds so good I can't pass it up

 

[Snaku]

Rush is their apology for Shadow the Hedgehog.

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

Rush is their apology for Shadow the Hedgehog.

Among other things.

 

[Sapiens]

Among other things.

God, tell me about it.

When Sonic team isnt busy fucking around, they should get around to what some of us actually want:

-New 2D Sonic (check)
-3D Sonic with just sonic, none of his shitty friends ( )
-Night Sequel ( )
-Non-Online Sequel to Phantasy Star ( )

I would die happy! But we all know this wont happen.

 

[Mihail]

drohne won the thread.

 

[D-X]

Sounds like they've replaced the original voice work with the new guy

 

[Akai]

drohne won the thread.

What a victory! Everyone remember to write it in your diaries tonight!

Anyways, I'm really looking forward to this game...Actually, it's the first Sega game I've anticipated since the original Sonic Adventure, so I'm hoping I don't suffer the same disappointment...Impressions have been above average so that's always a good sign...

 

[cvxfreak]

I'm looking forward to this game myself. I think it can sell like 500K copies over the holidays, too.

 

[soundwave05]

Mario Kart DS is already a must purchase for me.

Beyond that it gets a bit hazy. Metroid Pinball and Animal Crossing I probably want as well.

But there's also Viewtiful Joe Scratch vs. Sonic. That's gonna be interesting to say the least.

 

[Teddman]

Sonic Team developed and boy does it show! The 2.5D Sonic that fans have all been waiting for has finally arrived...

It also has one of the deepest control schemes ever for a Sonic title:

http://got-next.com/media_nds/sonic_rush/sonic_rush1_e3.jpg

 

[Yoshi]

It's quite similar to Sonic Advance 3's controls.

 

[arter_2]

i played sonic rush for about an hour straight at at digital life my god that game is amazing its sooo much fun it brings back memories of the good hand held sonics found on the game gear. Ahh triple trouble

 

[Teddman]

We'll see if Sonic Rush comes out this year! And if it doesn't suck! The only positive feedback I've heard on it has been from arch-shill Teddman

HEYYYY-O

 

[sprsk]

hey hey, ive given quite a bit of positive feedback from my playing it at E3. And no i did not like nanostray

 

[Teddman]

hey hey, ive given quite a bit of positive feedback from my playing it at E3. And no i did not like nanostray

No, according to Drinky I was the sole person who had the foresight and exceptional prescient good taste in games to recognize this as the 2D platforming masterpiece it will be.

 

[Borys]

Among other things.

#1: ...but I must admit that I've been somewhat disappointed in the performance of the primary unit.

#2: The secondary unit should be online soon. It's currently undergoing preparation and will be operational within six months. My people will continue to report on its progress. If necessary, the primary will be terminated.

 

[belgurdo]

I just hope it lasts longer than a couple of days unlike Castlevania

 

[jarrod]

Sonic Team developed and boy does it show! The 2.5D Sonic that fans have all been waiting for has finally arrived...

It also has one of the deepest control schemes ever for a Sonic title:

http://got-next.com/media_nds/sonic_rush/sonic_rush1_e3.jpg

Indeed. I'm looking at Rush as the elusive Saturn Sonic we deserved but never got.

 

[Azure Dream]

Sounds fantastic, but...

You'll obviously need to guide Sonic to the rings laid out before him, while avoiding spiky hazards--the two-part runs require you to collect a certain amount of coins by the time you reach a checkpoint to continue. Along the way, you'll be able to collect special pickups that yield bonus coins; to complete the action and earn bonus rings, you'll hit special trick points that require you to tap on numbered points on screen before time runs out. If you manage to collect enough coins by the end of the run, you'll be rewarded with an emerald for your collection. As always, you shouldn't plan to see the game's real ending unless you've gone through and collected every emerald.

rings coins coins rings coins

You've had 15 years to learn it. Keep it straight for at least the same paragraph, please.

Otherwise, a very encouraging article. Great to hear the trailer music is in, it'll definitely put a unique spin on things. (No pun intended, I swear.)

 

[bummyhead]

This sounds like the Sonic that should have been on Saturn but never was. Like the evolution of sonic CD.

EDIT guess i was beaten to the punch

 

[Suikoguy]

My reservation with free 2nd-day shipping still stands