Similar to
Decimation X3,
Score Rush is an incredibly intense adrenaline rush. Whether you decide to play for a few minutes or a few hours, you're always guaranteed a fun time. There's just something about the gameplay that makes you want to jump right back in after losing.
The end game score tally is a major motivational factor. In addition to displaying your score, it also shows how many of the nine bosses you were able to escape. Just seeing a huge score is enough to make you want to try and top it, but then you see that evil "Escaped" next to a boss's name, taunting you to come back in for another go. This sets up a vicious replay cycle where you're constantly trying to go back just to topple another boss.
Really, that's all Score Rush is about, constantly trapping you in small motivational cycles. Kill an enemy, get a shot power-up and watch as the sparks fly all around the screen. The moment you zigzag though one complex pattern of bullets, you'll instantly want to pass through another. Score Rush constantly feeds you these tiny victories, enticing you to keep playing and try something else. Of course, you'll eventually try to push the limits a little too far, but even in death, it's hard to shake off the desire to keep playing.
Adding three players changes the in-game dynamics just a bit. Cooperation is key to survival, but when everyone has their own point tally, they're going to want to gobble up as many bonuses as possible. It's the same competitive principal I mentioned in my Decimation X3 review; the opportunity to be on top does strange things to alliances.
Score Rush is a great game. It's incredibly simple to pick up and impossible to put down, even after repeated deaths. Best of all, it's only a $1, which isn't a bad price for what is easily one of the best shooters on the XBLA Indie Channel.
