• Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Nov 13, 2007
Metascore
60 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 24
  2. Negative: 2 out of 24
  1. A solid platformer with a twist, and a welcome return to form for our spiny blue friend. [Jan 2007, p.65]
  2. 75
    Another outing for Sonic that has moments of nostalgic brilliance; a brilliance that is sadly marred by some rather questionable tweaks to the gameplay and an annoying AI. [Issue#162, p.95]
  3. Sonic Rivals 2 is as much fun as it is frustrating. It is, however, a good evolution on the previous title, fondly remembering us of the glorious past of the series.
  4. As a single-player game, Sonic Rivals 2 is brilliant fun. It's fast and exciting and pretty and happy, just like the old games. And like the old games, it's a bit hard. It could have done without the silly battles but the races are so good they're worth putting up with.
  5. Basically good but let down by annoying and compulsory combat sections. [Feb 2008, p.107]
  6. Despite the niggles the main thing to say about Rivals 2 is that it's great fun. And fun, lest we forget, is what it's all about. The whoring of Sonic the Hedgehog continues of course, but the Sonic Rivals series continues to do its best to stem the flow of blue-skinned cow dung.
  7. Despite a few irritating stages, this remains a blisteringly fast and entertaining Sonic outing.
  8. 70
    Sonic Rivals 2 is a faithful return to Sonic's roots. Aside from a couple of speed bumps, this is one title that should be welcome in any fan's collection.
  9. Yet another disappointing offering from the folks on Sonic Team. They're starting to get back onto the right track, focusing on 2D speed rather than 3D worldcombing, but the inclusions of the fighting mode and the all-powerful AI are a definite detraction from the title's quality, and really, can't we get the characters some new voices?
  10. 65
    Instead of working to bulk up the races, however, they decided to throw in half-baked duels and hair-pulling boss fights to try to spread things out. It didn't work, but at least there's the potential to make a really decent racing game out of the Sonic franchise... if the third time is indeed the charm.
  11. The series is heading towards a good thing but this one just doesn't have it down enough.
  12. It doesn’t make any changes on the mechanics of the original. Which is good if all you’re interested in is to be the fastest character to cross the finish line…but bad because it becomes boring after a while and doesn’t add anything new. [Dec 2007]
  13. Boss battles and ring collecting competitions are used to pad out the action, both of which are frustrating rather than fun and seem out of place with the rest of the game. [Jan 2008, p.80]
  14. Fun but equally frustrating. [Jan 2008, p.132]
  15. The graphics look good and the multiplayer options (including Game Sharing) are acceptable, but the lopsided racing kills the fun.
  16. Sonic Rivals 2 isn’t the super-speedy racing game you’d expect from the world’s fastest blue hedgehog. Jerky levels and unwarranted slowdowns prevent the game from moving at Sonic’s true speed.
  17. 60
    Definitely not the worst choice for your PSP, but it’s sad to see the stalwart Sonic standing on such unsteady feet these days.
  18. 55
    Sonic games used to be about speed and fun, but Sonic Rivals 2 offers neither.
  19. Beating the near-infallible AI to the line is a challenge best described as punitive, and periodically maddeningly unbalanced. [Mar 2008, p.103]
  20. Sonic Rivals 2 would have been a lot more fun if the racing was more polished and there were more tracks. Instead there are too many other aspects of the game that spoil the essentials.
  21. Daft boss battles and duel modes in cramped, pace-sapping spaces mean only real Sega fan boys will stick with this for long. [Feb 2008, p.98]
  22. Sonic and his rivals' latest adventure is rarely fun, often frustrating, and entirely forgettable.
  23. 45
    Sonic Rivals 2 is a technically complete game, but in the altogether more important areas of inspiration and design, it's sorely lacking.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 5
  2. Negative: 2 out of 5
  1. I have not played the original Sonic Rivals, But after playing this game and being told that this game was the better of the two, I will just avoid it, This game is so mediocre, The level design is bleh, Sonic move to slow, Bosses are pathetic, The story is stupid, Only play it if your a sonic fan. Full Review »
  2. [Anonymous]
    8
    If you like Sonic, buy the game. The sound and story are lacking, but the game runs smooth, looks good, and plays great.
  3. This game has an alright metacritic score and a great user score, I really don't see why. The game has well designed levels and pretty graphics, but the racing mechanics are atrocious. There is some of the worst rubber banding I've ever experienced in a game and the opponents constantly spam items and unless you get a good head-start it's nearly impossible to win on even the first races. The game feels slow even compared to the 16-bit sonic games and the smash bros. style duel mode is extremely annoying. Also I shouldn't complain about the story in a sonic game but this is probably the worst. I had literally no clue what was going on from the start and the voice acting and dialogue is laughable. Oh and to fully complete the game you have to do all the levels as each of the 8 characters, I don't think anyone sane can do that. Full Review »