Amped: Freestyle Snowboarding
Ever since I got myself the Xbox, I was wondering what level of enjoyment it would bring me next time. When Amped was introduced to the game industry, I thought by myself, let’s hope this game will change the habitual trend in snowboard games.
Almost all of the Xbox’ launch titles are very well thought through; especially Microsoft’s own launch titles. Which doesn’t surprise me actually. Microsoft publishes all the games reviewed thus far, so you know what I’m talking about.
Now hit the snow and have the ride of your life, ’cause this game is all about … freestyle snowboarding, more a simulator, which SSX tricky wasn’t able to deliver. You won’t encounter “Invisible walls”, you won’t be alone on the track because every aspect is focused on interactivity. Not that important though, but certainly worth mentioning.
Again, Amped is based upon the common used schema: earning tracks by earning points, but, and here comes a huge but, earn sponsors, media coverage, international respect by performing your tricks in front of a camera. You’ll notice reporters filming your entire stunt and will definitely earn that little extra to unlock the next mountain and who knows, even a big sponsor.
Rumors say that Amped uses only 10% of the Xbox’ capabilities, if those are correct, expect some butt kicking titles (speaking as of graphics). The snow is rendered meticulously just as the water is in Blood Wake; the trail left behind is really nice not to forget the powdery aspect of the snow cloud swirled up in every subtle turn. The track’s aspects are varied in numerous ways, guaranteeing every run to be different; talking of every track being different, multiply that with 80, since that’s how much tracks there are in Amped.
It takes some practice to gain total mind control over all of the game’s different tricks and stylish jumps, but in the end you’re relieved when you score 60000 points with just one trick.
Snowboarding doesn’t just fit without the appropriate music, hold on to your pants, Amped includes over 200 songs, yes 200 of some of the best indie music, and if that’s not enough … you can rip your cds tunes and snowboard your ass off on your favorite tunes.
Multiplayer mode is a bit disappointing imho, passing on the controller isn’t really my opinion on how a game designed to run on a 4 controller capable console should look like.
First time I spot some not-to-neglect bugs in a console game: when you fall, because of a wrong maneuver or just by hitting a tree, and happen to fall right next to a static object, the odds of clipping yourself into that object are rather big, restarting the lap often avoids you from crushing your controller.
The most impressive and life-like snowboard simulator I’ve seen until now is worthy to be one of the European launch titles
9.0