SSX On Tour Review

Platform(s): Gamecube, PSP, Playstation 2, XBox

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Developer: EA Sports

ESRB Rating: Everyone

Players: 1-2

Released as the fourth installment of the series, SSX On Tour unleashes a furious avalanche of new atmosphere onto the slopes. If you've never played an SSX game before you should start and if you're a fan of the series - why aren't you playing this game right now?

SSX On Tour Gameplay

One could say that the SSX series is the "Tony Hawk" of snowboarding games and SSX On Tour makes this statement completely true. With more game play options than ever before, revamped graphics, customizable characters and great music, SSX On Tour delivers challenging, fast-paced fun. Whether you're improving your rank on "The Tour" or shoving your friend's face in the snow in the game's multi-player "Quick Play" mode, you will not be lacking for different ways to play the game.

Medal Events are exclusive to racing and slopestyle competitions, but Shred Challenges include everything from grinding rails to knocking down tourists and you can replay them all to earn more cash. Every challenge can also be replayed in "Quick Play" mode either by yourself as your own character or with friends as one you've unlocked. Gamecube owners can even play as Mario, Luigi and Peach, a grin-inducing extra for any long-time Nintendo fan.

Controls

Button-Mashers beware! Mastery of the controls is essential to SSX On Tour. If you want to be #1 you will need to win loads of cash to buy upgraded equipment, attributes and "Monster Tricks" because you won't be fast enough, strong enough or get enough trick points otherwise. If you've played a SSX game before, don't worry - you'll be fine. If this is your first time on the SSX slopes study the manual and check out the on-screen instructions when you first start - you'll thank me later. If you can't kick your button-mashing habits you'll still enjoy this game, but claiming the mountain as your own will leave you with splinters in your face and a mouth full of leaves.

Physics & Graphics

One thing you have on your side in SSX On Tour is the game's physics. When you begin a "Monster Trick" everything on screen around your character seems to slow down making it much easier to see how far you are from hitting the ground; however, you don't have this luxury with regular tricks (or in "Quick Play" mode) and this game is fast.

Another thing you have on your side is the game's graphics. The engaging and detailed environments of SSX have only really changed in location; however, collectibles, boost icons and the game's menus sport an entirely new look. With the "street" quality of "Tony Hawk" and the whimsy of "Napoleon Dynamite" the graphics are more like illustrations, doodles on the back pages of your high school notebooks. Boldly drawn and outlined in black, boost icons and collectibles are brightly colored and very easy to see on the snow - if you can find them. As with any video game, the graphics and physics aren't perfect, but don't let it get you down - sometimes lag and slight glitches can help you land a trick or grab a rail.

SSX On Tour Sound & Music

Sound and music further enhance the SSX On Tour experience. Boards and skis (yes, I said skis,) sound different on ice than on snow and you'll hear it when you finally start grinding that rail. Crowds will cheer as you nail landings, your opponents will trash-talk and tourists will yell as you knock them over.

Sound effects are crisp, music blends smoothly into the action during gameplay and there is a lot of songs to choose from. A hefty collection of customizable play lists enables you to separate your racing music from your slopestyle music or listen to your favorite tracks on a loop. With selections from artists young, (The Faint, Hot Hot Heat, Ok Go) and old, (Iron Maiden, Def Leppard) there is a song for nearly every gamer.

Pros & Cons

One draw back of SSX On Tour is the random error messages you will get, but using the game's "auto-save" feature will lessen the blow when you have to restart. What will have you cheering is replayability. When you get a new game you might stick this one on the shelf for a few months, but you will come back to SSX On Tour because once you get the hang of it, simply put - this is a fun game and you'll want to play it over and over again.

Other Articles of Interest

• Dance Dance Revolution Extreme 2 Review
• Tetris Profile
• Sports Video Games
• World of Warcraft Review
• We Love Katamari Review