Guide
From download to your first match, step by step. When you want to go deeper, there's the full guide.
1. Downloading
Press the button for your computer: the game's zip downloads straight away, for free. You don't need an account or the itch.io app: your browser is enough. If you prefer, the same file is also on the Sonarush itch.io page.
The zip downloads straight away, free and with no account; the files are hosted on itch.io, where you'll also find the guides. After the first download the game updates itself.
2. Starting on Windows
- Open your downloads folder and extract the zip to a folder of your choice, for example Documents. There is no installer: the game runs from its folder.
- Open the Sonarush folder and run Sonarush.exe.
- The first time, Windows may warn that the app is unrecognized: that happens with games by independent developers. Choose More info, then Run anyway.
- The game starts in your system language and puts a "Sonarush" shortcut on your desktop.
If you use NVDA or JAWS, the game speaks through your screen reader, braille included. If no screen reader is running, it uses the Windows voice.
3. Starting on Mac
- Open the zip you downloaded (in Finder, select it and press Command plus Down Arrow): you get Sonarush.app.
- Move Sonarush.app to your Applications folder.
- Sonarush isn't verified by Apple yet, so the first time macOS blocks it. To unblock it, just once: open Terminal (Command plus Space, type Terminal, Return), paste this line and press Return:
xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/Sonarush.app - Start Sonarush from Applications.
To play with VoiceOver: open VoiceOver Utility (VO plus F8) and, in the General section, turn on "Allow VoiceOver to be controlled with AppleScript". When macOS asks whether Sonarush may control VoiceOver, answer OK. Without this step the game still speaks, with the Mac's voice.
4. Your first match
The first time you start the game it offers the Training: it has you try the controls one at a time, moving, checking your health, using the radar, attacking, firing your super and your gadget. It doesn't move on until you've done the right step, so take your time. At the end you hear how progress works and choose your name.
If you've already played on another computer, skip the training: the game asks whether you're a new player or already have an account, and you can pick up your progress straight away.
From the main menu choose Play: at first there's Duel, one against one. The other modes come as you earn trophies.
Use headphones. With headphones the game uses 3D audio and every sound comes from its own direction. If you play on speakers, turn 3D audio off in Settings, Audio.
5. Essential controls
| Action | Key |
|---|---|
| Move (up is north, right is east) | Arrow keys |
| Attack | Space |
| Super | E |
| Gadget | Q |
| Radar: enemies and objectives | R |
| Radar: enemies only / allies only | F / G |
| Am I in range? | X |
| Where am I | W |
| Nearby obstacles | O |
| Sonar: what's ahead | S |
| Your health | A |
| Score | D |
| Quick chat (online) | 1 … 8 |
| Help for this screen | F1 (on Mac also H) |
| Repeat the last announcement | Tab |
| Pause and back | Esc |
In menus you move with the up and down arrows, confirm with Enter and go back with Esc. A letter jumps to the first item starting with it.
6. Your online account
Your account is created automatically the first time the game connects: no email, no password. You'll find it in Settings, Online account, where you can:
- read, copy or save to a file your recovery code: it's the key to your account, needed to take it to another computer or after reinstalling your system. Keep it safe and never share it;
- link an email, if you like, to get back in even without the code;
- link another computer with a six-character code;
- see your linked devices, sign out or delete the account (you have 14 days to change your mind).
7. Tips for your first days
- Visit the Audio glossary, in Help and information: you hear every sound with its explanation.
- Move towards what you hear: aim locks onto whoever is in front of you.
- Press X before firing: shooting out of range is the most common mistake.
- When your health is low, step back and let it regenerate.
- Do your missions every day and open the Sonar Rewards from your first three wins.
- Listen to "Your next step" in the main menu: it always tells you the nearest goal.
- Try a character in the Rehearsal Room before unlocking them.
The full guide
The full guide explains everything in detail. It's the same one you open from the game, in Help and information.
- Controls and finding your way by sound: landmarks, walls, bushes, maps, sonar.
- Fighting and aim assist and radar.
- The modes in detail and online play.
- The characters with all their numbers.
- Progression, missions and the Frequency, rewards and resources.
- Settings and accessibility and Sonarush on Mac.