Everything mentioned in the aforementioned intro is just the start of this truly random but somewhat uniquely charming title from the original and often controversial Sonic Team. Spawned as a sequel of sorts to the quirky but enjoyable DS launch title "Feel the Magic" (aka Project Rub for those that didn't import) which was showcased and gained shop shelf success due to the fact it utilised every feature of Nintendo's Dual Screened handheld.

From short stabs and subtle strokes of the stylus utilised in mini-games "Bull" and "Clean" respectively, to using voice recognition in "Shout" and even using your breath to actually propel a small boat across shark infested waters to save your love interest from becoming reverse-sushi in one of the better mini-games entitled "Yacht".

It seemed everyone who played Project Rub upon it's release had a favorite mini-game or moment with the few listed above being some of the more notable examples, whichever way you look at it though, for it's time PR was a decent offering and became one of the better DS launch titles, if only becoming slightly underrated due to the popularity of such titles as "Super Mario 64" DS and "Wario Ware" from the big N.

So, one year on from Project Rub and we have an equally ominously titled sequel, but what exactly has changed for this equally mad-capped title? Well, in truth not a great deal...

The Rub Rabbits (referred to as RR from here on in for simplicity) features a similar if somewhat predictable love based storyline, a graphical style which although more detailed in places is essentially identical, varyingly decent audio (a classic trait of ST games) and the same addictive and often infuriating game play.

Essentially it's more of the same then, which you would think might work to the games advantage. However, in actual fact it's a mixed blessing. Firstly the story mode featured in PR is longer than RR, which in itself is an improvement and even if some of the mini-games feel like re-hashes from the prequel, others use the DS like no other title out there so the story mode is executed quite well.

One thing which was lacking from PR was any form of multiplayer mode, as a result the game suffered in the replay value department just as another vaguely similar title (Wario Ware) did which was released simultaneously. This seems to have been rectified this time as RR includes various multiplayer features designed to extend the overall longevity of the game.

[pagebreak]

Interestingly the game seems to cater for download play between two to four DS units using a single card and up to a baffling twenty (or so it says in the manual) with each player owning a copy if the game and a DS. Confusing player limits aside (your only likely to be able to get around four people to play this game with/against simultaneously anyway) the multiplayer experience is largely the same regardless of whether you use download play or not.

Using the "Connect" mode players can exchange customised outfits designed in the new and improved "Maniac" mode. Take a baby created in the (not actually as interesting as it initially sounds) "Baby Making" mode and perhaps more importantly, allow you to play certain multiplayer enhanced versions of the mini games that have been unlocked during progress made via story mode.

The actual mini games that you get to play in multiplayer mode aren't actually as fun as they perhaps should be, indeed the description of the games is more exciting than actually playing them. These "mini-multiplayer-games" as I have chosen to dub them only really serve as a momentary distraction rather than the engrossing experience that some, perhaps many, had hoped for.

So with the multiplayer mode being a mixed bag of fun and frustration even at the best of times, what is there that will keep you coming back for more? Well there's enough in the form of challenges and time attack runs, which with scoring well in will unlock various costumes in the bizarrely named "Maniac" mode.

Maniac mode has also been upgraded; this time around you can create your own custom clothes which you can then see in the main game. It seems ST have taken a leaf out of Animal Crossing's book and even if the design features aren't nearly as finely tuned as those found in AC:WW, it's still a competent effort.

And that's about it really... another by the numbers sequel which tries to expand on the original in so many ways to extend longevity but seemingly it's more of the same which is both to the games credit but also constraint. Ultimately, if you liked PR then you will probably like RR, just don't be too surprised if the game rubs you up the wrong way.