Sonic Rush is like coming back to an old friend. This is definitely one of the better games in the series. The levels are really fun, and the trick mechanic ties the whole experience together super well. Major props for also being one of the only titles to have good special stages. And no review of this title can go without mentioning the soundtrack. I haven't played Jet Set Radio but I imagine I'd love the funky spirit of those games as much as I do this one. Hideki Naganuma is a beast at this stuff.

Unfortunately, the stuff that drags really drags. Namely, the bosses are awful. It's not like classic Sonic bosses where they're always open for attack; instead you have to wait for a weak point. Combine that with them keeping the 8 hit health bar and the occasional instant-kill attacks and it's not a fun time.

Thankfully they don't take up a lot of time. Definitely recommend to existing fans, though not as an introduction to the series (skill ceiling is quite high).

They bastardized 06 for this game??

I'm thoroughly split on this one. Basically everything here where this is a game is annoying and makes me not want to play it. Like, do we really have to use imprecise motion controls for everything? Why is this an autorunner with level design not built around being an autorunner? Why are there so many required missions and why doesn't the game tell me which ones are required? Why do I have to unlock good controls? Why am I still leveling up and unlocking moves + missions after I've beaten the damn thing?

Also these are nitpicks, but why are the stages laid out in a list on the main menu rather than anything immersive? I would have been happy with a book-style presentation too, since that's more thematically meaningful here than in SatBK. Why is Seven Rings in Hand the main menu theme? Why is the title screen playing some random-ass drum track instead? Feels like the two got swapped or something.

It's such a shame, because a lot of the other stuff is brilliant. The soundtrack is literally all bangers, one of Sonic's strongest by far. This game also has really punchy sound effects and they sound great. The stage locales are all really interesting new ideas for Sonic. The story is one of the best in the series, I think, even though it's pretty barebones - Sonic is in character, unlike 06, and the presentation is very stylish. Plus the CG cutscenes look great when we do get them.

I don't think I'll be revisiting this one. Would only recommend to longtime fans who haven't played it. There's a reason I put it off for so long. If you want the good of this game and none of the bad, play Black Knight instead.