Couldn't stop playing until I'd cleared Sonic's storyline, and even made a start with Knuckles and played some extra challenges, too. I loved it more than I was expecting to, but don't worry... this isn't yet another "What do you think? Does it stack up?" topic (put away those padlocks, mods).
But rather, I noticed a couple of things while playing that got me to thinking. Given that this videogame was created and released in 2006 (yep, the same year as THAT other Sonic videogame) it featured a couple of gameplay and style mechanics that were alarmingly akin to the Hedgehog Engine, and the type of experience we've come to call "Modern Sonic", thanks to the daytime stages of Sonic Unleashed, not to mention the forthcoming Sonic Generations. So for something as overlooked as Sonic Rivals, and depending on your individual opinion on the modern gameplay style, do we actually owe it more credit than we currently give it?
Allow me to throw in some examples...
During races in Sonic Rivals, there are large spinning rings that Sonic can hold himself in as he curls into a ball. Pressing X causes you to shoot upward; pressing Circle causes you to blast forward. These "launchers" are almost identical to the launchers found in Sonic Unleashed, where pressing X has the same effect, and pressing Square shoots you onward. There are even sections that require chaining several together to navigate spikes and badniks.
Thanks to the 2006 release date, this is the first example of Sonic being entirely crafted in 2.5D, and while there is little over-the-shoulder perspective in Sonic Rivals, the camera does shift automatically to provide the most cinematic viewpoints, much like it does now. I was expecting it to be stuck in 2D mode the entire time, but not so, and I found myself thinking "This is basically the 2D sections of Sonic Unleashed, just handheld...!" during a race in Colosseum Highway Zone, which is practically Spagonia at sunset, and if Meteor Base Zone isn't a prototype of Asteroid Coaster, then I'll eat my sneakers.
Admittedly, a few shared gimmicks and a camera perspective isn't enough to make such a claim rock-solid (or I'd be pointing to springs and claiming that, since they were in Sonic Labyrinth, we're all doomed) but 'tis something difficult to place. There's just an overall feel of similarity.
Those who've played Sonic Rivals, however, should know what I'm talking about... yeah, I know that's about, what, three of you?
I'll show myself out.
