The Rush

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

Reviews

62%

Audience ScoreBased on 17 reviews

music7 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The game features an excellent and catchy soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
It offers a variety of accessibility options, allowing players to customize difficulty and control settings to suit their preferences.
The game is visually appealing with unique graphics and varied level designs, making it engaging and enjoyable.

The game is extremely difficult, which may deter casual players and lead to frustration.
Some weapon options feel underpowered, making combat less satisfying.
There are issues with enemy mechanics, such as spawning through obstacles and the lack of a continue option, which can disrupt gameplay.

music
11 mentions
64 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy and excellent soundtrack, which enhances the overall experience and evokes a retro arcade vibe. Reviewers highlight its appeal, noting that it complements the game's aesthetics and gameplay, making it a standout feature that adds to the challenge and enjoyment. Overall, the soundtrack is described as stellar, with many considering it a significant draw for players.
- “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 associate with 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.”
graphics
3 mentions
33 % positive mentions
-33 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally praised for their aesthetic appeal and unique design, evoking a nostalgic arcade feel reminiscent of the 70s and 80s. However, some users noted difficulties in following the action due to color and size choices. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the game's atmosphere.
- “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
3 mentions
33 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally described as tight and well-handled, with moments of excitement such as secret stages featuring great music. However, some players express a preference for more modern mechanics, finding the old-school shmup style less appealing, particularly the close-quarters combat without sufficient defensive options.
- “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.”
- “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.”