YMMV / Sonic Rivals

• Arc Fatigue: In the second game, Tails', Rouge's, Metal Sonic's and Espio's stories are almost exactly the same as Sonic's, Knuckles', Shadow's and Silver's respectively. As all the characters in the game play the same except for specials, this means that half of the game is exactly the same as the other half and makes it get repetitive quickly (Unless you just like playing those characters).
• Alternative Character Interpretation: Metal Sonic's action at the end of the second game. Was his sacrifice, granting Shadow the Chaos Emerald to escape Ifrit's dimension, a noble act due to his alliance with Shadow, or merely self-protective? Metal knows Eggman can rebuild him, after all.
• Base-Breaking Character: Silver, just like he was in 2006. Some fans consider his characterization to be a step up from before, while others dislike how he Took a Level in Jerkass.
• Best Boss Ever: Metal Sonic in the first game's Sky Park Zone Act 2. It's like a 3D remake of the race against him in Sonic CD.
• Best Level Ever: Meteor Base from Sonic Rivals 1, by virtue of not having to race a rival at all and just run through the level old-school style. In the sequel, almost all of the levels could be considered such due to their unique settings that defy tropes (peaceful seaside Greek architecture? Rivals 2 did it before Unleashed, and Rivals 2 also featured the first "Wild West" zone in the series) and the fact that Free Play mode exists, so it's possible to slow down and enjoy the scenery.
• Character Rerailment: Interestingly, while Silver Took a Level in Jerkass compared to his 2006 depiction, this actually ends up being truer to an aspect of his character that 2006 ended up glossing over, namely his being awkward and rude to people he sees as being in the way of his mission when working by himself.
• Ensemble Dark Horse: Metal Sonic 3.0, From the second game. Being another version of the already popular Metal Sonic but with a nice looking recolor, it's no surprise he'd caught on with fans.
  • He's also liked among fans of the Archie Comics due to his resemblance to the well-liked Shard. (Another version of Metal Sonic.)
• Even Better Sequel: Rivals 2. More playable characters, better level design, better graphics, better soundtrack, voice acting, and to top it all off, a Free Play mode where you can just run through the level by yourself with no Rival. While the last one has to be unlocked, it's a godsend to those who just want a classic Sonic experience with straight platforming and running.
• Hilarious in Hindsight: When Sonic first sees Silver in Rivals 2 and is still hot headed, he noted how he never changes. Actually, the following games would make Silver a lot nicer and more cheerful.
• Never Live It Down: Silver assaulting and stealing Tails' rings in Rivals 2, mostly because it paints the usually nice Silver as an insane bully who picks on 8-year old kids.
• Replacement Scrappy: The games were more enjoyable before we found out Eggman Nega kicked Eggman out of the villain spotlight.
• So Okay, It's Average: By and large, those who have played the Rivals games don't see anything particularly bad about the games, but also nothing particularly good that stands out.
• Spiritual Successor: Both games can be considered this to the Metal Sonic race from Sonic CD, as it revolves around beating your rival in a high-paced linear race to the finish. In the first game, two stages actually have you to confront Metal Sonic (he also is an opponent in the last two bosses, but he's more an annoyance than anything since Death Is a Slap on the Wrist in these games and you can only lose those bosses by letting the timer run out.) Heck, Metal even is Promoted to Playable, being unlockable after completing all four stories in the first game and available from the start in the second.
• That One Attack: Silver's ESP Special on the fact that it can randomize your controls every time he uses it. In a fast-paced platformer (and a racer), that's a guaranteed death sentence.
• That One Level: Some of the later levels in the first game can get unnecessarily difficult due to inconveniently-placed death pits and traps. In the 2nd game, several levels stand out:
  • Frontier Canyon Act 2 with Tails: Silver is the rival this time, and he has the annoyingly-overpowered special attack of reversing the player's controls, as well as taking many shortcuts. On the other hand, Tails has the useless special ability of flying, which doesn't help in the Rivals series due to the level design being designed around horizontal, not vertical, layouts.
  • Mystic Haunt Act 3: This level features several annoying gimmicks, but the worst are the lever-gates that require the player to wait until the correct symbol is shown before jumping off. They break the flow of the level and offer the rival a chance to take easy potshots.

---