![]() ![]() ![]() Hype isn't just accrued through winning events but is also rewarded for knocking down other skiers and opponents. Hype allows players to advance in the world rankings, giving players a reason to race with style. Each event on The Tour rewards players with money and hype. So while the core of SSX is racing, there are a hundred other activities which are almost always entertaining. Some of the inventive game modes challenge players to stay off of the snow for a specified amount of time, escape ski patrol, knock down tourists, grind for huge distance, and pull off huge tricks. Outside of races, trick events, and collection missions, SSX mixes up the single player game with a ton of variety. There are 135 challenges and 49 medals to be won on one gigantic hill that includes 13 new tracks. As each challenge is completed more events are unlocked giving the game a very free-form composition that fits the rockin' presentation perfectly. This presents players with a map of the mountain and a few icons representing open challenges. The open mountains from SSX 3 have been replaced with a main single player experience called The Tour. Forget upgrading equipment, the goofy costumes are the real reason to save your cash. ![]() My character is already equipped with a fake mustache and eyebrows but players can also save up for new tops, pants, boots, gloves, goggles, and bolt on costumes like a giant panda head or a 70's Leisure Suit. There's also the option to change facial hair for men and the makeup of women. There are 10 separate male and female personas, 10 more face types and variable heights and weights. The creation tools are not as advanced as say Tiger Woods, but still let players inject their personality into the game. This addition is great for those of us who have been waiting for an alternative to Johnny Moseley Mad Trix but in itself is not a reason to play through the game twice.Īlso new to the series is the ability to customize a character. It's difficult to describe the difference but skiing feels technically more difficult and slightly less intuitive. Skiing also has a slightly different flow than riding. ![]() The mechanics are basically the same as snowboarding but with different trick animations. Besides the funky new presentation, EA has also added twin-tip skiing to the mix. While the rest of EA sports offerings are always stupendously functional in their presentation, On Tour is the only title that exudes such personality and fun. SSX: On Tour should be commended for its excellent sense of style. There are sketchbook icons, an announcer taken straight from an arena rock show, and excellent replays that freeze frame from multiple angles and throw in more crazy illustrations. This edgy artistic approach extends into the gameplay. There are guitar playing unicorns, dancing amoebas, and so many visual non sequiturs that just staring at the menu screen can be a joy. The overall presentation looks like a fully animated sketchbook found in the locker of a rock n' roll obsessed adolescent. Rock and roll has been infused into every aspect of SSX, from the wacky menus and icon system to the excellent soundtrack. This time around players are not just racing champs, they are also high altitude rock stars seeking to build hype and dominate the mountain. None of the changes made to On Tour are earth shattering but for the most part they are positive. So while the series has avoided tinkering with the original formula, it has also held our interest over the years. SSX Tricky and SSX 3 added more and bigger tricks, longer runs, and ironed out nearly all of the technical wrinkles. The series kicked off as a PS2 launch title, which we loudly proclaimed the best piece of software to come out with Sony's second console. In case the entire SSX phenomenon has passed you by a little back story might be in order. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |