LttP: Sonic Rush

Boilerbird

I picked up Sonic Rush at Best Buy yesterday, because it was $20 and I was bored. (The announcement of Bioware doing a Sonic game had a lot to do with this pickup.) As a long-time supporter of the Mario camp, I've never played a Sonic game before, ever. Ever. So far, the music is fantastic, the graphics are very good, but the gameplay is kind of bugging me. It seems that all you do is press right and occasionally lose all your rings to an enemy you couldn't have possibly seen coming. Am I missing something?

Leitner

Not really. That is the jist of it. You retry and improve your time trials, maybe try and get all the emeralds but give up on the last one because it's impossibly hard and frustrating.

slash000

You're missing the trick system and the Rush move as well as Sonic's other moves. As far as 'not see coming,' well, seeing enemies is not really any more difficult in Rush than it was in the original sonics, but I never really had too too much trouble avoiding enemies.

Look, Sonic is indeed meant to run fast, but the games are not meant to be cakewalks that you can literally hold Right and dash to the finish line without trouble. If you're bashing into enemies and dying all the time, perhaps you should slow down in some areas? Also, use the spin attack to your advantage, as you can often not only jump through enemies, but also bop from one enemy to the next without taking a hit.

People that blaze through Sonic 1 - 3 can rush through the games because they've virtually committed these games to memory.



My advice is to flip through the manual to learn the moves and abilities, then play the game more methodically. Use the jumping attack, use the Rush move and trick system, and learn how to bop onto enemies.



This game is great fun.

DoctorArch

But it is hard, it's very old-school, at least it was for me. I spent the better part of a month falling down the same crevasse in the Night Carnival section.

But I don't blame the game, more my idiotic hard-headedness in making the same mistakes over and over again.

Glal

slash000 wrote: »

As far as 'not see coming,' well, seeing enemies is not really any more difficult in Rush than it was in the original sonics, but I never really had too too much trouble avoiding enemies.

It was a pain in the original Sonics also. ;-)

Nexus Zero

People that blaze through Sonic 1 - 3 can rush through the games because they've virtually committed these games to memory.

The difference is that they're fantastic platformers even when you're going slowly. Sonic Rush isn't. Can you imagine seeing Labyrinth Zone these days? God, most of Sonic 1 was fairly restrained, so was a lot of 2, 3+K. OP: If you're disliking Sonic Rush, don't let it put you off the classics.

Darlan

Nexus Zero wrote: »

If you're disliking Sonic Rush, don't let it put you off the classics.

Indeed. I loved the originals, but I haven't liked a game in the series after and including Sonic Adventure.

Couscous

Nexus Zero wrote: »

People that blaze through Sonic 1 - 3 can rush through the games because they've virtually committed these games to memory.

The difference is that they're fantastic platformers even when you're going slowly. Sonic Rush isn't. Can you imagine seeing Labyrinth Zone these days? God, most of Sonic 1 was fairly restrained, so was a lot of 2, 3+K. OP: If you're disliking Sonic Rush, don't let it put you off the classics.

Labyrinth Zone really sucks.

Nexus Zero

titmouse wrote: »

Nexus Zero wrote: »

People that blaze through Sonic 1 - 3 can rush through the games because they've virtually committed these games to memory.

The difference is that they're fantastic platformers even when you're going slowly. Sonic Rush isn't. Can you imagine seeing Labyrinth Zone these days? God, most of Sonic 1 was fairly restrained, so was a lot of 2, 3+K. OP: If you're disliking Sonic Rush, don't let it put you off the classics.

Labyrinth Zone really sucks.

Well a) no it doesn't and b) alright then how about a Marble Zone, a Spring Hill Zone, Hill Top, Metropolis, Launch Base, Lava Reef? Yeah, they had fast set-pieces, but the flow was generally one that you'd never, ever see in a modern Sonic game.

Couscous

Nexus Zero wrote: »

titmouse wrote: »

Nexus Zero wrote: »

People that blaze through Sonic 1 - 3 can rush through the games because they've virtually committed these games to memory.

The difference is that they're fantastic platformers even when you're going slowly. Sonic Rush isn't. Can you imagine seeing Labyrinth Zone these days? God, most of Sonic 1 was fairly restrained, so was a lot of 2, 3+K. OP: If you're disliking Sonic Rush, don't let it put you off the classics.

Labyrinth Zone really sucks.

Well a) no it doesn't and b) alright then how about a Marble Zone, a Spring Hill Zone, Hill Top, Metropolis, Launch Base, Lava Reef? Yeah, they had fast set-pieces, but the flow was generally one that you'd never, ever see in a modern Sonic game.

Marble Zone also sucked. You should always be able to go fast in Sonic games without having to memorize the entire level.

Xagarath

Sonic Advance 3 is monstrously underrated as far as level design goes.

Nexus Zero

titmouse wrote: »

Marble Zone also sucked. You should always be able to go fast in Sonic games without having to memorize the entire level.

That's the most retarded thing I've ever heard on the subject of Sonic and people like you are the reason we get shit like this:



You're pretty much saying that you should be able to master a Sonic game without learning it. Why? There's no challenge in holding a boost button and crossing your fingers that you won't hit a bottomless pit. The original Sonic games had a delicate intricacy that Adventure/Advance/Rush garbage completely tarnishes. They had a perfect learning curve equatable to a game like Tetris, while new Sonic games, perhaps with the exception of Secret Rings, simply don't.

Couscous

You're pretty much saying that you should be able to master a Sonic game without learning it. Why?

I'm saying that reflexes should matter more than learning the level. In order to go through Marble Zone quickly, you essentially need to memorize the level. For anybody who doesn't want to do that, the level is just slow. I shouldn't have to wait for a tube to go up so I can move on. I liked the Green Hill Zones because it didn't do that shit. You would run into enemies if you had poor reflexes, but you could also do the spin jump if you were quick enough. I play Sonic games because they are fast and not because the platforming in them is fun nor because I enjoy learning about the exact position of every platform above lava or bottomless pits on the levels.

SirUltimos

The best tip I can give you is to keep a calm head and try not to smash the DS to itty-bitty pieces once you reach World 6. Trust me though, you'll want to.

Fiaryn

Also, beware the rage that the last emerald for Sonic can cause. I've never managed to get it, and I question if I ever will. Your performance has to be pretty much fucking perfect. Fuck that level.

mrgilmorean

I just tried this out and while I like it more than the GBA Sonics, the Genesis games still blow this one out of the water. The graphics are prettier and using a polygon model for Sonic is kinda neat but something feels off about the game. Nexus is right. The flow is all wrong here. The controls also feel very imprecise and slightly sluggish. And maybe my reflexes suck but it seems the game does like throwing an enemy into places where you are bound to crash headlong into them.

Tails was my favorite character circa Sonic 3 when they were all mute. Now, not so much anymore. My god he's clingy.

Airan

The level design hinders this otherwise great game. I remember very few of the Genesis levels had death drop after death drop in the same level, when you fall, there is usually some path for you to land on. Here, you make one mistake (usually when you're boosting away after a long straight) and you'll fall to your doom. Night Carnival and that sky level are best examples.

mrgilmorean

Now that I think about it, in just the second zone, there a place with the spring that boosts you up and forward and about 50% of the time, it didn't boost me far enough for whatever reason and dropped me to my death.

slash000

I pretty much whizzed through Sonic Rush on reflexes and not on memorization. Yes, there were some pit-based deaths here and there, but it wasn't too often, and certainly not enough to make the game unfun.

SoonerMan

How the hell do you do the Rush attack or whatever?

slash000

I can't remember. I think it was X or Y when you have the meter charged.

Target Practice

Airan wrote: »

The level design hinders this otherwise great game. I remember very few of the Genesis levels had death drop after death drop in the same level, when you fall, there is usually some path for you to land on. Here, you make one mistake (usually when you're boosting away after a long straight) and you'll fall to your doom. Night Carnival and that sky level are best examples.

The Genesis games also weren't Press-Right-Til-You-Finish-The-Level-Fests.

MechMantis

With the exception of the first zones, I agree.



Because seriously. Those were fucking simple.

TheSonicRetard

Fiaryn wrote: »

Also, beware the rage that the last emerald for Sonic can cause. I've never managed to get it, and I question if I ever will. Your performance has to be pretty much fucking perfect. Fuck that level.

I ran through real quick and did this just for you ;-)

Fiaryn

TheSonicRetard wrote: »

Fiaryn wrote: »

Also, beware the rage that the last emerald for Sonic can cause. I've never managed to get it, and I question if I ever will. Your performance has to be pretty much fucking perfect. Fuck that level.

I ran through real quick and did this just for you ;-)

I respect you TSR...but I'm still going to hunt you down and kill you right in your stupid fucking face for this. :x

Bryse Eayo

After playing this and wanting to chuck it accross the room multiple times I have come to the conclusion this is basically a reskinned rhythm game.

Honestly. You just gotta learn to press the right buttons at the right time.

Daedalus

Fiaryn wrote: »

Also, beware the rage that the last emerald for Sonic can cause. I've never managed to get it, and I question if I ever will. Your performance has to be pretty much fucking perfect. Fuck that level.

Oh man, it took me like a fucking month to get that one. Shit fuck goddamn, I developed partial Tourrette's doing that. Augh, the flashbacks.

The final boss that that unlocks was pretty cool, though. Reminded me a lot of S3&K. Then I found out that they'd been reusing the S3&K final boss for all of the Advance games (that I missed), too, and it felt less special.

slash000

Bryse Eayo wrote: »

After playing this and wanting to chuck it accross the room multiple times I have come to the conclusion this is basically a reskinned rhythm game.

Honestly. You just gotta learn to press the right buttons at the right time.

Or just go slower. Is that so hard?

japan

I'm on a Sonic Rush hiatus until my rage at those Sky levels subsides somewhat.

God Damn those levels.

Improvolone

I got all the gems.
I love the game, and loathe the boss fights.

Couscous

Bryse Eayo wrote: »

Honestly. You just gotta learn to press the right buttons at the right time.

Most games can be described as that.

SirUltimos

japan wrote: »

I'm on a Sonic Rush hiatus until my rage at those Sky levels subsides somewhat.

God Damn those levels.

Just you wait. You'll come back and think "Well, it couldn't have been that bad". Then you'll rediscover that yes, it still is that bad.

japan

SirUltimos wrote: »

japan wrote: »

I'm on a Sonic Rush hiatus until my rage at those Sky levels subsides somewhat.

God Damn those levels.

Just you wait. You'll come back and think "Well, it couldn't have been that bad". Then you'll rediscover that yes, it still is that bad.

Oh, I've done that twice already. I'll go back and rip through some of the easier levels a few times just as a time-killer, build up 30+ lives, then lose them all over again (mostly at that bit with the hovering platforms that you can move from side to side as they ascend.

I haven't tried it again since someone pointed out that you can quit out of the level while falling to your death without losing a life, though.

Kaosu Reido

japan wrote: »

SirUltimos wrote: »

japan wrote: »

I'm on a Sonic Rush hiatus until my rage at those Sky levels subsides somewhat.

God Damn those levels.

Just you wait. You'll come back and think "Well, it couldn't have been that bad". Then you'll rediscover that yes, it still is that bad.

Oh, I've done that twice already. I'll go back and rip through some of the easier levels a few times just as a time-killer, build up 30+ lives, then lose them all over again (mostly at that bit with the hovering platforms that you can move from side to side as they ascend.

I haven't tried it again since someone pointed out that you can quit out of the level while falling to your death without losing a life, though.

For me, a lot of that level was just "Ok, I'm fucked, I'm fucked, I'm fucked, WHEE GOAL!"

And then I fight the boss and keep losing badly to him.

Also, last emerald. The main reason I kept trying that was because I love the special stage music so much.

Psycho Internet Hawk

Laberynth Zone is shit because the underwater physics in Sonic 1 is absolutely awful. There's a reason Sonic is much more agile underwater in Sonic 2. Sonic moves too slow for it to be any fun.

Sonic 1 has great level design, but the physics and speed of Sonic himself arn't as slick as in subsequent games. If the game were remade with Sonic 2's engine, it would be much better.

Kaosu Reido

Psycho Internet Hawk wrote: »

Laberynth Zone is shit because the underwater physics in Sonic 1 is absolutely awful. There's a reason Sonic is much more agile underwater in Sonic 2. Sonic moves too slow for it to be any fun.

Sonic 1 has great level design, but the physics and speed of Sonic himself arn't as slick as in subsequent games. If the game were remade with Sonic 2's engine, it would be much better.

Yes. Yes it was.

DarkWarrior

Anyone who says they got the last emerald in Rush is a filthy liar. Its not near perfection thats required, its outright perfection. You need to get every ring, hit all the bonus spheres and not lose a damn one. At best I can get 86 out of 160. Its impossible. I wouldn't mind if I could just keep retrying but having to go through the entire fecking level again to build up enough super energy? God fuck that. And that last boss as Sonic is a nightmare. It took about 30 attempts and I finally managed to overcome his lasers. Then BAM! Homing electric fucking fields. Jesus.

OmegaVelocity

Target Practice wrote: »

The Genesis games also weren't Press-Right-Til-You-Finish-The-Level-Fests.

You're right. They were press-right-till-you-hit-a-rock-then-press-jump-and-resume-holding-right-until-you-finish-the-level fests.

Also, yeah, the last Special Stage in Rush is absolutely fucking batshit insane.

MechMantis

DarkWarrior wrote: »

Anyone who says they got the last emerald in Rush is a filthy liar. Its not near perfection thats required, its outright perfection. You need to get every ring, hit all the bonus spheres and not lose a damn one. At best I can get 86 out of 160. Its impossible. I wouldn't mind if I could just keep retrying but having to go through the entire fecking level again to build up enough super energy? God fuck that. And that last boss as Sonic is a nightmare. It took about 30 attempts and I finally managed to overcome his lasers. Then BAM! Homing electric fucking fields. Jesus.

TSR, I think you need to make a video to show this ignorant one that it CAN be done.

Daedalus

DarkWarrior wrote: »

Anyone who says they got the last emerald in Rush is a filthy liar. Its not near perfection thats required, its outright perfection. You need to get every ring, hit all the bonus spheres and not lose a damn one. At best I can get 86 out of 160. Its impossible. I wouldn't mind if I could just keep retrying but having to go through the entire fecking level again to build up enough super energy? God fuck that. And that last boss as Sonic is a nightmare. It took about 30 attempts and I finally managed to overcome his lasers. Then BAM! Homing electric fucking fields. Jesus.

You don't need to beat every bonus sphere or every ring, just a lot of them.

And once you get past the first half it's easier.

But goddamn it was a lot harder than it needed to be, holy shit. But the fact that a non-TSR poster can manage it means you can, too.if you've got nothing better to do than play Rush for two weeks straight

TheSonicRetard

Psycho Internet Hawk wrote: »

Laberynth Zone is shit because the underwater physics in Sonic 1 is absolutely awful. There's a reason Sonic is much more agile underwater in Sonic 2. Sonic moves too slow for it to be any fun.

Sonic 1 has great level design, but the physics and speed of Sonic himself arn't as slick as in subsequent games. If the game were remade with Sonic 2's engine, it would be much better.

The underwater physics in sonic 1 and sonic 2 are identical. THe physics in sonic 1 and sonic 2 are also identical.

Being underwater simply halves all values - speed, gravity, etc.

EDIT: Also, Labyrinth Zone is my favorite Sonic 1 level. I can fly through it.