Phone games have come a very long way from the days of Snake. Nowadays, some of them are as in-depth as console video games and some have even gotten so big they’ve become pop culture staples and have been adapted into movies like Angry Birds. A new mobile game, playable on Android, iOS, and Steam, was just released, and it’s part of the Sonic the Hedgehog video game franchise. This new free-to-play game, titled Sonic Rumble, has been getting hyped up by Sega for a while, so let’s take a look at how it really is now that fans can get their hands on it.

Note: This is based on the Android version of the game.

The Good

The controls are simple and fluid. Controls for any phone game need to be simplified since you’re just using a touch screen to play, and here, there’s movement, and only two or three possible actions that are done by touching their respective symbol. Each action isn’t even available at the same time as others, which simplifies everything even further. It’s very easy to pick up, learn, and play without too much difficulty.

Every match, which all feel similar to those in Fall Guys and other games in the online obstacle course-based party game genre, are absolutely intense. Trying to gather more Rings than your opponents or come first in a race will always get the blood pumping. Collecting an item that allows players to smack their opponents and drop their Rings adds to how heated the competition feels. If you lose in one of the three rounds, you’re eliminated from the match entirely, so it’s hard not to feel the pressure to fight for your life. It all makes the game pull you in that much more.

The matches are also very quick. Mobile games should be quick. Unlike console and PC games, mobile games are meant to be played in waiting rooms, in the bathroom, between acts at a concert, and other similar situations. They’re meant to fill those little boring gaps of time. You can easily play through a couple of matches while waiting for your plane to arrive or to be called in for your dentist appointment. If you’re someone who wishes to dive in deeper and play for an extended period of time, then you’ll be able to play a lot of matches and earn unlockables at a rapid pace, so these quick matches are a win/win.

The visuals look great. They’re easily some of the best graphics seen in a mobile game. They’re good enough to rival that of console games. In addition to the visuals looking good, the game also features a cute “toy” aesthetic for its characters and environments, which is extremely charming.

There is already no shortage of characters, costumes, and other cosmetics and customization options to unlock. For the free goodies, they give the player a lot worth working toward just by playing. For those who wish to use real money on some of the unlockables, they’re thankfully not too pricey compared to other live service games. There are a lot of ways players decorate their profiles and characters and overall get creative.

The Bad

If you’re a Sonic the Hedgehog fan, you’ve probably come to love the characters’ voices and the story of each game. Unfortunately, neither of those are present here. There’s no story, no reason for these obstacle courses and challenges, and there’s no dialogue between the characters. There are also no voice lines when competing. It’s just competing and unlocking things without anything tying any of it together.

After most matches, there are pop-ups asking to pay real money and to watch ads to earn more in-game currency. It interrupts the flow of playing, shopping, and customizing, and it feels rather predatory. If you’re immersed in playing a fun Sonic game, these pop-ups begging for more money really takes you out of it.

It also shares plenty of the expected issues with many phone games due to relying on the touch screen to move around and other jankiness. It’s hard to tell how far your thumb should be extended on the faux joystick to move in certain directions at certain speeds, which is vital for a game that requires you to come in ahead of other players. Again, though, this is par for the course with using a touch screen as the entire controller, and the controls are still pretty good for what it is.

Conclusion

Sonic Rumble is cute and fun for a handful of minutes here and there. It also looks really nice, and offers collectibles worth logging on and playing each day. It’s nothing too special, but it’s enjoyable enough and definitely scratches the itch if you’re in the mood for Fall Guys or Sonic the Hedgehog games on the go.

Rating: 7.5 / 10

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