CORBIE'S GAME BLOG

Let me begin by saying this is one strange game. Not only are the 70's lounge-style visuals quite eccentric, but the storyline itself is pretty off-the-wall as well. The game follows the story of a man who sees a woman on an escalator and then begins his pursuit for her affections. The only problem is that not only does he have to deal with other men who are also competing for her attention, but he also has his own personal female stalker to contend with as well. You'll have to compete in tons of mini-games that are carefully woven into the storyline in order to gain your dream girl's attention and then continue competing in order to hang onto her. If this all sounds insane, it's because Sonic Team has managed to create one of the most original and fresh gaming experiences that you can find for the Nintendo DS and a fitting sequel to the first Feel the Magic XX/YY game.

Graphically, Rub Rabbits looks like something out of the 70's with its' creative art-style and flashy visuals. It's obvious that Sonic Team was going for that over-the-top look to go along with the zany storyline and it all manages to fit together perfectly. There's lots of pinks and floral colors all spun around, and the character designs in the game are outstanding. The graphics in the game can best be described as similar to those art prints you used to see back in the 70's in club lounges. Very abstract and artsy. What's most important is that this style really works within the framework of the game to really make the events unfolding in the story stand out. If you think the art style is insane, wait until you hear the music. It sounds a bit like something you'd hear the Brady Bunch singing, with a lot of nah-nah-nahs thrown into the mix. It fits in with the style of the game perfectly and is quite different from anything else out there on the DS.

The gameplay consists of loads of mini-games that you have to compete in to win your dream girl's affections and then hang onto her. Unlike Wario Ware Touched, the mini-games in Rub Rabbits don't come at you in rapid succession. Most of the games require you to touch or rub the screen in different ways in order to accomplish the many tasks that are laid out for you. A good example would be the game in which you have to toss a frisbee to your girl without the other men getting their hands on it. Most of the mini-games are simple enough in design, but do gradually become more difficult as the game progresses. Each time you complete a mini-game, more of the storyline is presented to you at which time you move onto to yet another new situation and mini-game. All in all, The Rub Rabbits is a unique and fun gaming experience that proves to be a nice change of pace. The game might be a little too "out there" for some, but if your open to a new experience and liked the first Feel the Magic XX/YY game, you'll really enjoy this game a lot.