A gem of the DS and a worthwhile Sonic experience to be had!
The story is quite more complicated than previous 2-D Sonic games.It begins with the usual plot, which means Sonic is off to obtain the 7 scattered Chaos emeralds and stop Dr.Eggman from world domination, but an unexpected event causes Sonic to follow a mysterious character called Blaze, which she's also involved into something that has to do with Eggman and a figure which looks like Eggman but is not Eggman.Add up that as the game progresses, the entire world is becoming a mess for an unknown reason, there's a lot of things to investigate and think about.All, of course, is revealed in the end.
The gameplay is old-school Sonic-styled, with a few new things added up.The result is still a 2-D Sonic experience and this can't be anything but good.You move with the D-pad and jump with the A button.Other than that, every character ( there are 2 characters, 3 if you count the last stage ) has his unique attacks and moves.Most moves, if done successfully, add a specific % to the bar on the right side of the screen.That bar can reach up to 300% and it's very useful, if you keep in mind that this bar, by the amount of % it has, can be used as a powerful attack to knock enemies out of the way.Of course, the % will diminish while you are attacking, and reaching 0% means your attack will come to a sudden end.Use that bar wisely.
Moving down to other parts of the gameplay, you can feel the adrenaline raising to the limits, since Sonic ( or Blaze-yes, you will control her too ) will run as fast ( or faster) as the wind.Truly, you 'll sometime lose control or your characters location due to the extreme speed.Well, what do you expect from a pure Sonic game....anyways, the game's not all running, since you have to fight ( enormous ) bosses and locate the 7 Chaos emeralds ( only if you're Sonic-Blaze concertrates on other things ).However, obtaining all 7 Chaos emeralds is a frustrating job to be down.You see, in all 7 Zones ( in each Zone there is the Emerald with the same number ) there are a few "gimmicks" scattered throughout the stages ( each Zone has 2 stages-ecxept Final and Extra Zone ) that will actually transport you to the Emerald's area.Your goal is to obtain that specific Emerald, and obtaining it requires you running in a closed area, collecting as much rings as possible.Mind you, the Emerald levels are 3-D, which makes the ring collection even more difficult.Having the required amount of rings at the end of the Emerald level, you'll earn the Emerald.If you haven't got it, then ou'll be kicked out of the stage, which is darn aggravating.If you get all 7 Chaos emeralds, you'll face a surprise.....but I won't spoil it for you.
From sound and graphics, even the most pessimistic will admit that the game hasn't flaws on that section.Maybe the sound would offend some with it's quite spastic voice-recordings, but the tracks are classics and the graphics are very well done.
The cons of this game do -unfortunately- exist, like the lack of value.But I suppose those are minor problems in front of the pros.Sonic fans will love it, no matter what.
Sonic Rush is still an awesome game, just because it's similiar to the older Sonic games.Imagine the quality.Sonic is not dead, he has still enough power to get back to his old, good glory.