AMPED FREESTYLE SNOWBOARDING, for Xbox, RRP $64.95:
It may be the middle of summer here in New Zealand but anyone who would rather be a snow bunny than a sun worshipper can relive winter with Amped: Freestyle Snowboarding.
Playing as a novice snowboarder out to learn the slopes, Amped lets you takes a few runs to get familiar with the controls and moves.
Focusing more on technique than speed, the game gives points based on tricks and where you execute them.
There doesn’t seem to be a correct route to take in any of the runs, just find the one that suits you best and try to get as many tricks in as you can to boost your points tally.
In career mode there are chances to unlock new sections by scoring more points than the run’s champion. Bonus points are awarded for performing tricks near the media.
You’ll see a media sign letting you know it’s time to crank up your ski slope creativity and if you realise you can’t get enough air to pull off that zippy little move you had planned you can always run over a photographer.
Not great for the points total but still somewhat satisfying.
Tricks play an even greater role here than in most snowboarding games but these tricks are more realistic.
Some runs have goals like performing a trick to impress a sponsor or following a champion and mirroring the tricks performed.
At the start of the game the options are four mountains with four runs _ the rest of the game is unlocked as you conquer the existing runs. Replays will help until you get the hang of things.
The controls are a little hard to master, particularly in the landings, but that’s all part of the fun.
The audio in the game lets you know how well you are doing without having to check your points, and taunts and compliments from rival boarders and the cameramen are included.
Amped’s soundtrack can be a bit annoying at times but there are also some good tracks included and you have the option of ripping music from your own CDs.