Game Card
Sonic Rivals 2 (PSP)
- Publisher:
- Sega
- Developer:
- Backbone
- US Release:
- 13.11.2007
- EU Release:
- n/a
- Number of players:
- 1 - 2
- Type:
- Action
- Extra:
- Platform
- Age:
- Futuristic
Review
We play Sonic Rivals 2...
It's all a bit of a shame isn't it? How a once mighty mascot of the videogame world can be reduced to a pale shadow (forgive the pun) of its former self, thanks in no small part to a raft of under-developed and poorly thought out sequels, and some baffling design decisions along the way. I mean there really shouldn't be any confusion about the direction a Sonic game should take; run fast, smash through occasional walls, collect rings and jump on enemies across a series of themed and flowing platform-littered 2D landscapes. It's funny how something so fundamentally simple can turn so utterly wrong with the advent of a third dimension to work with.
If last years 360 and PS3 title 'Sonic The Hedgehog' marked the absolute low point in the series to date, the new 'Sonic Rivals' franchise on the PSP at least offered up a glimmer of faint hope that someone, somewhere knew how to get back to basics and strip the series to its origins. As a concept, a 2.5D, racing-style Sonic game is an excellent idea, and it was only in a slightly flawed execution that Rivals initially disappointed. The speed was there, the adrenalin-fuelled races were fun to partake in, but crucially each level only rewarded those that were prepared to memorise every single section of the track to the nth degree. Far too often a single mistake in judging any of the off-screen hazards caused an abrupt halt in your progress, and left an almost insurmountable task in catching up to the leader. Rivals 2 then, has a lot to live up to, but much, much more to improve upon.
The storyline premise of Rivals 2 involves four different pairs of Sonic-related characters, all somehow ending up on the same island, racing to discover the evil Doctor Eggman's (What was wrong with Robotnik?) nefarious plans yet again. What should logically turn into an exercise in team-work quickly degenerates into smack talk between the main protagonists, followed by a race and battle between over the course of six chapters. Unfortunately, the shoehorned story elements mean that some of the worst 'badass' voice acting in the business is back in full effect, and Rivals is certainly not ashamed to let you know just how cool it thinks it is. Seriously, do kids even buy into this level of immaturity? I don't think so. It's a lesson consistently avoided by the series, stretching back to Sonic Adventure on the Dreamcast, and at this stage looks like a lost cause.
Ignoring the rather ludicrous voice-over, Rivals' other main flaw comes from the two new additions to its gameplay roster, boss fights and the much-vaunted battle mode. The battle system works out a lot like the old vs. Mario arcade game, in so much as the levels take on a small three-tier wrap-around design, with the objective being to scurry around and attack your opponent, using the same controls as the main game. The problem, however, is that it just isn't fun, and often falls into complete frustration. Getting hit once loses all your coins, getting hit a second time in this state means round over and a point for your opponent. If you manage to claw a few coins back, the dance begins anew. With only three rounds to fight per battle, fortunately the mode doesn't last particularly long, but what is there is generally forgettable, and a needless diversion.
The boss battles also share a similar fate, with two players working to take down a larger character in the quickest time possible. Whilst these sections are not particularly dull, there can be far too much for you to do at once, and keeping track of both opponents becomes tiresome very quickly. Let’s face it though, boss battles in Sonic games have traditionally been underwhelming however, so the inclusion here is no particular surprise.
One bonus of these bite-size chunks of play however, comes in the form of multiplayer. Whilst the battles are still lacking fun in two-player mode, at least they can be played with only one UMD over ad-hoc wifi (two-player races require two discs). Game-sharing seems to be increasingly rare these days, and has to be applauded when included.
Of course the main action comes down to the races, and these at least are mostly satisfying affairs. Each stage is long and complex, filled with boost zones and alternative routes, with fewer sections that completely slow you down. Navigating your way from start to finish at breakneck speed is a fantastic feeling and leaving your opponent stranded halfway through the course never gets old. There are still a few quirks to iron out, and a few too many occasions when one simple mistake translates into an instant loss, but if they tore out the rest of the content in the package, and gave us a game simply chock full of courses and races to run, that'd be the game to own. As it is, there simply isn't enough race content included.
And that, in a nutshell, has been the problem with the Sonic series since the big move to 3D all those years ago. The needless gameplay additions and alternative modes simply dilute the original formula to the point where it's easily forgotten. Original content and gameplay innovations are to be celebrated of course, but not always. What makes the Mario world so special is that sense of consistency sorely lacking here; the feeling that no matter which version you pick up, within a minute you'll know exactly how the control scheme works, and be bounding your way around the game world with success.
However, it has to be said, out of all the Sonic titles currently doing the rounds, if Sega choose one title to use as a foundation for progression, Rivals is undoubtedly up there in the lead. The 2.5D approach lends itself to a high degree of three dimensional graphical fidelity, with all the convenience of a simple two-axis approach to game design. Whilst Rivals 2 has it's fair share of problems, the race mode alone shows the path that should be taken for the future of the series, and for that reason, I can just about recommend it to any single-player Sonic fan out there. Just don't expect a lengthy and consistent experience, but then, you already knew that.
Top Game Moment: Shaving off a couple of seconds to finally beat a seemingly impossible race.
 |
 |
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| This is a semi-traditional Sonic game at least | The battle mode plays out like a poor version of the original Mario battle game |
If last years 360 and PS3 title 'Sonic The Hedgehog' marked the absolute low point in the series to date, the new 'Sonic Rivals' franchise on the PSP at least offered up a glimmer of faint hope that someone, somewhere knew how to get back to basics and strip the series to its origins. As a concept, a 2.5D, racing-style Sonic game is an excellent idea, and it was only in a slightly flawed execution that Rivals initially disappointed. The speed was there, the adrenalin-fuelled races were fun to partake in, but crucially each level only rewarded those that were prepared to memorise every single section of the track to the nth degree. Far too often a single mistake in judging any of the off-screen hazards caused an abrupt halt in your progress, and left an almost insurmountable task in catching up to the leader. Rivals 2 then, has a lot to live up to, but much, much more to improve upon.
The storyline premise of Rivals 2 involves four different pairs of Sonic-related characters, all somehow ending up on the same island, racing to discover the evil Doctor Eggman's (What was wrong with Robotnik?) nefarious plans yet again. What should logically turn into an exercise in team-work quickly degenerates into smack talk between the main protagonists, followed by a race and battle between over the course of six chapters. Unfortunately, the shoehorned story elements mean that some of the worst 'badass' voice acting in the business is back in full effect, and Rivals is certainly not ashamed to let you know just how cool it thinks it is. Seriously, do kids even buy into this level of immaturity? I don't think so. It's a lesson consistently avoided by the series, stretching back to Sonic Adventure on the Dreamcast, and at this stage looks like a lost cause.
Ignoring the rather ludicrous voice-over, Rivals' other main flaw comes from the two new additions to its gameplay roster, boss fights and the much-vaunted battle mode. The battle system works out a lot like the old vs. Mario arcade game, in so much as the levels take on a small three-tier wrap-around design, with the objective being to scurry around and attack your opponent, using the same controls as the main game. The problem, however, is that it just isn't fun, and often falls into complete frustration. Getting hit once loses all your coins, getting hit a second time in this state means round over and a point for your opponent. If you manage to claw a few coins back, the dance begins anew. With only three rounds to fight per battle, fortunately the mode doesn't last particularly long, but what is there is generally forgettable, and a needless diversion.
 |
 |
|
| Strike your opponent to knock their coins to the floor, and then finish them with a kick | Races are quick and exhilerating |
The boss battles also share a similar fate, with two players working to take down a larger character in the quickest time possible. Whilst these sections are not particularly dull, there can be far too much for you to do at once, and keeping track of both opponents becomes tiresome very quickly. Let’s face it though, boss battles in Sonic games have traditionally been underwhelming however, so the inclusion here is no particular surprise.
One bonus of these bite-size chunks of play however, comes in the form of multiplayer. Whilst the battles are still lacking fun in two-player mode, at least they can be played with only one UMD over ad-hoc wifi (two-player races require two discs). Game-sharing seems to be increasingly rare these days, and has to be applauded when included.
Of course the main action comes down to the races, and these at least are mostly satisfying affairs. Each stage is long and complex, filled with boost zones and alternative routes, with fewer sections that completely slow you down. Navigating your way from start to finish at breakneck speed is a fantastic feeling and leaving your opponent stranded halfway through the course never gets old. There are still a few quirks to iron out, and a few too many occasions when one simple mistake translates into an instant loss, but if they tore out the rest of the content in the package, and gave us a game simply chock full of courses and races to run, that'd be the game to own. As it is, there simply isn't enough race content included.
And that, in a nutshell, has been the problem with the Sonic series since the big move to 3D all those years ago. The needless gameplay additions and alternative modes simply dilute the original formula to the point where it's easily forgotten. Original content and gameplay innovations are to be celebrated of course, but not always. What makes the Mario world so special is that sense of consistency sorely lacking here; the feeling that no matter which version you pick up, within a minute you'll know exactly how the control scheme works, and be bounding your way around the game world with success.
 |
 |
|
| Many of the levels are well designed and classically laid out | Alternative routes are sometimes the best to take |
However, it has to be said, out of all the Sonic titles currently doing the rounds, if Sega choose one title to use as a foundation for progression, Rivals is undoubtedly up there in the lead. The 2.5D approach lends itself to a high degree of three dimensional graphical fidelity, with all the convenience of a simple two-axis approach to game design. Whilst Rivals 2 has it's fair share of problems, the race mode alone shows the path that should be taken for the future of the series, and for that reason, I can just about recommend it to any single-player Sonic fan out there. Just don't expect a lengthy and consistent experience, but then, you already knew that.
Top Game Moment: Shaving off a couple of seconds to finally beat a seemingly impossible race.
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Gameplay Trailer #1
Posted 22.08.07
Length 00:55 Views 955 -
Trailer #2
Posted 01.11.07
Length 01:03 Views 825
