November 14, 2003 | 10:00 PM PST
by: John Olin
When I first stated to play this game I kept thinking this is just going to be like Tony Hawk, with no wheels and on the snow. Well I was completely off. You choice a charismatic fictional character (many of which are voiced by the likes of Lucy Liu, Macy Gray, and David Arquette) to compete in a snowboarding cross. Each character comes equipped with there own unique style, and "Tricky" moves. This is of course the games main gimmick. Allow me to explain. When racing, or in a trick round depending on how good your tricks are and how you land them, your Tricky meter will build up. Also you must not crash or your Tricky meter will plunge sharply or completely diminish. This can prove difficult as there are many twist and turns within the games, as well as also trying to figure out a way past competitors. When pressing A with another button combination you will pull a super psychedelic trick off. The only problem is making sure you have enough air, and that you actually land it. Another use for your Tricky meter is boost, for while you are in a race. Also another much more simple way of filling your meter full is to simply knock down another snowboarder by moving the C stick in there direction. When the Tricky meter goes off you will hear the chime "It's Tricky to rocka rhyme, to rocka rhyme" you know what I'm talking about Run DMC.
Another gripe about game play is just how hard it is to figure it out. While the game encourages you to raise your Tricky meter during races, when doing more elaborate tricks you will fall behind, and quickly. These races are always quick, and quickly became very difficult. Trick Attack is where you may show your true skills though as the levels are set up especially to make sure you get all the air you need, so that you may pull off the desired trick. If you are having troubles with the game you can always go to practice mode. Practice mode works on "levels" as you learn more tricks, books you earn from doing good in competitions will become available so that you may learn more tricks in practice mode. However much like old fighting games the button combinations will be come over elaborate and precise timing will be needed. This can prove as a problem, because while the controls are normally responsive they seem to have some sort of slow down at times.
The level design is ingenious, but it can be quite a hassle to look at during two players playing, as both might get confused and not know where the next vast steep hill is. The level design is where the game stands out. You can tell how much work they put into the designs, as there are many twist, turns and multiple ways to win a race. While the design is great the overall feel of the graphics..is average. Well they are crisp, and clean. The backgrounds and even some of the players feel some what "blended" though. It is all for the better though, because too much detail and you wouldn't be able to tell what is going on. The character models are well detailed, and there expressions, and mouth movements when they talk are also fairly impressive.
Hey I'm David Arquette I play Eddie's voice but I still suck ass!
The sound in the game is much like a techno, rap groove. You will hear the announcer say some sly, and cool comments, but at times will get annoying. The music is good as well..if not just a little gimmicky. The voices are good to even if they are your average celebs doing the voice work. It is of course a good change from all the heavy metal driven soundtracks of most extreme sports games nowadays. The replay in the game is great as well, for when you win a race, or place in a certain place you may win a number of items including snowboards, and new characters. Overall this game is pretty good, but you will probably have to have a bigger intention span to get passed all its flashy gimmicks.
Another gripe about game play is just how hard it is to figure it out. While the game encourages you to raise your Tricky meter during races, when doing more elaborate tricks you will fall behind, and quickly. These races are always quick, and quickly became very difficult. Trick Attack is where you may show your true skills though as the levels are set up especially to make sure you get all the air you need, so that you may pull off the desired trick. If you are having troubles with the game you can always go to practice mode. Practice mode works on "levels" as you learn more tricks, books you earn from doing good in competitions will become available so that you may learn more tricks in practice mode. However much like old fighting games the button combinations will be come over elaborate and precise timing will be needed. This can prove as a problem, because while the controls are normally responsive they seem to have some sort of slow down at times.
The level design is ingenious, but it can be quite a hassle to look at during two players playing, as both might get confused and not know where the next vast steep hill is. The level design is where the game stands out. You can tell how much work they put into the designs, as there are many twist, turns and multiple ways to win a race. While the design is great the overall feel of the graphics..is average. Well they are crisp, and clean. The backgrounds and even some of the players feel some what "blended" though. It is all for the better though, because too much detail and you wouldn't be able to tell what is going on. The character models are well detailed, and there expressions, and mouth movements when they talk are also fairly impressive.
Hey I'm David Arquette I play Eddie's voice but I still suck ass!
The sound in the game is much like a techno, rap groove. You will hear the announcer say some sly, and cool comments, but at times will get annoying. The music is good as well..if not just a little gimmicky. The voices are good to even if they are your average celebs doing the voice work. It is of course a good change from all the heavy metal driven soundtracks of most extreme sports games nowadays. The replay in the game is great as well, for when you win a race, or place in a certain place you may win a number of items including snowboards, and new characters. Overall this game is pretty good, but you will probably have to have a bigger intention span to get passed all its flashy gimmicks.























