The Rush

About

The Rush is a single player action game. It was developed by BuckChickens and was released on April 20, 2024. It received positive reviews from players.

The Rush is a horizontal shoot 'em up with an MSX inspired art style and plenty of that arcade excitement (without a hunger for quarters)! Features: 8+ Unique stages Many enemies and boss fights that (I severely hope) are fun and challenging 13 different weapons that can be mixed and matched with one another 2 Playable ships with unique weapon variations Some surprising exploits I decid…

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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85%

Audience ScoreBased on 20 reviews

music8 positive mentions

Gorgeous, colorful retro-styled graphics and an excellent soundtrack enhance the overall experience.
The game offers a variety of accessibility options, including practice modes and customizable difficulty settings, making it approachable for different skill levels.
Despite its punishing difficulty, the game is engaging and provides a nostalgic arcade feel, appealing to fans of the genre.

The game can be extremely challenging, which may frustrate players who are not accustomed to high-difficulty shmups.
Some players have reported issues with controls feeling unresponsive or slippery, impacting gameplay experience.
The graphics and overall design have been criticized as lacking polish, with some describing it as 'pixelcrap' and poorly executed.

music
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
30%
8%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many users praising its catchy and excellent soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While some players express frustration over the monetization of the soundtrack, the majority agree that it adds significant charm and appeal, reminiscent of retro arcade vibes. Overall, the music is described as a standout feature that elevates the gameplay and keeps players engaged.
- “The rush is built with an awesome soundtrack, rage-bait level difficulty, and lots of hidden secrets + charm that give it so much appeal.”
- “The soundtrack is excellent, and I think the game looks awesome.”
- “The aesthetics, the music, the AI, and game design all combine into a game that could have been in the arcade room in the 70s or 80s (except with better music :) )”
- “This is only free in a rudimentary sense... the developer has their hand out for a $5 USD 'donation' for this as you're expected to buy some soundtrack DLC from Steam... digital panhandling.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising its nostalgic aesthetic reminiscent of failed home computer standards, while others criticize the pixel art as lazy and poorly executed. Despite the graphical shortcomings, some players find the overall visual style aesthetically pleasing and fitting for the game's design, likening it to classic arcade games from the 70s and 80s.
- “That's a nice touch, for those of us who might otherwise struggle to go on an extended run and see all of what the game offers up in visuals and gameplay.”
- “I may have had some trouble following the action with the colors and sizes, but overall it is very aesthetically pleasing.”
- “Especially the unique graphics.”
- “At least it faithfully captures the aesthetic of the failed and unpopular MSX 'standard' for home computers that never really caught on.”
- “This features really godawful, lazy pixel crap 'art' instead of real graphics.”
- “It's hard to say if this was because the developer didn't have the skill to create 3D visuals, or couldn't afford to hire someone who does, but it also doesn't matter.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The gameplay is generally praised for its tight handling and engaging mechanics, with players appreciating the inclusion of secret stages and impressive music. However, some users express a preference for more modern styles over the old-school shmup mechanics, particularly regarding proximity-based gameplay without sufficient defensive options. Overall, the experience is a mix of enjoyable elements and personal preferences that may affect individual enjoyment.
- “That's a nice touch, for those of us who might otherwise struggle to go on an extended run and see all of what the game offers up in visuals and gameplay.”
- “On one of my runs, I randomly was sent into a secret stage with awesome music, and I thought that was really cool. The game's handling feels pretty neat, and the whole gameplay is quite tight.”
- “The gameplay is engaging and offers a variety of experiences that keep you coming back for more.”
- “Most of my negative feelings are also in part due to me not being that into more old-school shmups (I am a danmaku baby), and I'm not personally fond of mechanics that revolve around you spending a lot of time right next to enemies, at least not without bombs or other screen clearing effects.”