Welcome to Modojo, 
Chapter One: Leaf Storm!
Written by Sonic Rush on Thursday, November 17, 2005
The Sonic series, for a long time now, has been traversing through the peace of Green Valley, so it should be pretty obvious that some kind of jungle/forest level would be making the cut. Sega and Sonic Team get right off the bat with the introduction of Leaf Storm, the first level you'll be going through if you choose Sonic. This beginning set of two levels will introduce you to the lush tropics of the forest, with trees, loops, and all sorts of metallic threats scattered throughout, displaying finely across two screens.
The first level will also introduce you to a couple of play mechanics introduced to the series. First up will be the bungee jump. No need to prep yourself for this in terms of gameplay, you simply need to walk over to the ledge. Once you fall off, you'll find your feet caught on some kind of metallic spring, and immediately get launched into the air. You'll land at a higher destination, depending on your timing, ready to move further into the Leaf Storm.
This level will also introduce some of the 3-D magic being thrown into the game, by way of putting Sonic in interaction with something resembling a tire swing. As Sonic grabs onto it (simply by running into it), he begins to swing around the screen almost in full 3-D, and it's a neat graphical effect. Eventually, he'll swing to the other side of the tree, where he continue on his way.
The boss of this level also helps Sonic Team incorporate a nice new touch to the series. Instead of a traditional Eggman face-off, you'll instead take on a giant snake hellbent on making you its latest snack. Dodging its main attacks is rather easy. The snake will lean back into some kind of lunging attack. You'll be able to get some kind of idea where it's going to land. Before it does, make sure you leap or spin out of harm's way, and his head will land. A flashing icon will appear right over it, and it's your job to leap up and hit this. Do this about eight times (as indicated by Tails on the bottom screen) and you'll defeat it.
Ah, but if it were only this easy. The snake has another sneaky attack up its sleeve, which comes into play around the third hit in. It'll release its head from its body, and the head will begin rolling towards you from different angles. You simply need to time your jumps and clear the head, making sure it doesn't run into you or, worse yet, over you. Doing this will not only ensure the containment of your rings and your health, but will also keep you alive to get to the next level.
Hope this description helps you out through the Leaf Forest. For our next Sonic Rush journal entry, we'll take a look at Blaze the Cat's debut level, Night Carnival, and the many technical tricks it packs. See you then!
