The Rush

About

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…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 34 reviews

music14 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The game features an excellent soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
It offers a variety of accessibility options, allowing players to customize difficulty and controls to suit their preferences.
The game is free and showcases a lot of charm and passion from the developers, making it a worthwhile experience.

The game is extremely difficult, which may deter casual players and lead to frustration.
Some weapon options feel weak and lack impact, making combat less satisfying.
There are issues with enemy design and level pacing, leading to moments where players can feel overwhelmed or unfairly challenged.

music
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
22%
14%
The music in "The Rush" is widely praised for its catchy and excellent soundtrack, which enhances the game's retro aesthetic and overall appeal. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, comparing it favorably to classic arcade music while noting its modern charm. Overall, the music significantly contributes to the game's engaging atmosphere and enjoyment.
- “The rush is built with an awesome soundtrack, rage-bait level difficulty, and lots of hidden secrets and charm that give it so much appeal.”
- “It is really catchy, which I don’t usually think of as retro music, but I have really been enjoying the soundtrack.”
- “In summary, if you are looking for a free entertaining side-scrolling retro game that gives you a challenge, a wide range of different enemies to blow up, allows for a variety of player types (casual to hardcore), and has stellar music and sounds, 'The Rush' is a game for you.”
- “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 :) )”
- “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 :) )”
- “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 :) )”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The graphics are described as aesthetically pleasing and unique, evoking a nostalgic arcade feel reminiscent of the 70s and 80s, enhanced by modern music. However, some players noted difficulties in following the action due to the color choices and size variations.
- “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 :) )”
- “I may have had some trouble following the action with the colors and sizes, but overall it is very aesthetically pleasing.”
- “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).”
- “Especially the unique graphics.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
17%
33%
The gameplay is generally praised for its tight handling and engaging mechanics, with some players enjoying the surprise of secret stages featuring great music. However, there are mixed feelings, particularly from those less inclined towards old-school shoot 'em ups, as some mechanics may feel challenging without sufficient defensive options. Overall, the experience can be enjoyable, but it may not cater to all preferences within the genre.
- “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 challenges that keep you on your toes.”
- “The controls are responsive, making it easy to navigate through the levels and enjoy the experience.”
- “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.”
- “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.”