SSX 3

Written by Trevsweb

SSX is one of EA Sports big titles and plays great on the consoles but does the Gizmondo reflect on this or has EA sold us short on this title? Or have to done us proud?

Aim:

This game is like every other sport title it tries to depict the sport its focused on as accurately as possible but that’s just one rule SSX hasn’t bothered listening to with insane jumps, tricks and comical characters.
There are various tricks to perform while in the air or grinding a rail either racing to the bottom of a hill or beating the other player’s scores.
Oh and if you get board of racing there’s a little road rash action with the push/punch buttons for added boosts for knockouts yay.

Controls:

Controls are very easy each stage starting from the beginner peak sets you off with simple controls for jumping and boost and two tricks then later you find that moving the direction while in the air creates new combos, it’s a very simple thing to pick up may take a few goes but the game is very simple for the first few events giving you time to settle with the controls.

Gameplay:

The game types in this game is quiet diverse there’s the standard race to the bottom of the hill or the challenging trick attack type or the cool half pipe mode, all are either against a bunch of computer opponents or on your lonesome with some trick attack and all the half pipe modes, my current favourite is the happiness track its just so much fun loads of big tricks too. 10 characters to work your way though they all have their own set of careers to work through with stats to upgrade, new boards and new outfits to buy should take a while to get your way though I started off with the little kid lets see how long he lasts.
Conquer the mountain – unlock levels for single player features all the tracks in three peaks varying in difficulty,

Single event when you really need to practice on the track without the distraction of time limits or goals.

Shadow racing or ghost mode beat your ghost to the bottom and help tune your skills for the fastest times. EA DJ- contains all the songs in the sound track here you can listen to the tracks you have unlocked very nice selection.

Multiplayer:

The game has a head to head multiplayer option; I will try to find out what this is like when someone else gets the game, looks like it may play just like the single player via Bluetooth. Sounds pretty cool, and sounds a lot more appetising that multiplayer stunt car extreme.

Graphics:

After seeing the original concept demo before E3 and then the demo at E3 there seamed to be a gradual upgrade in graphics the first demo was clear that the game had been ported from the n-gage version but it seams now they have totally revamped the graphics and textures, while there has been improvement there is a lot more that could’ve been done to make this game look breathtaking, I just don’t see graphics being pushed on the Gizmondo like we saw with Richard burns rally, textures look flat and repetitive but the over all detail with track design and characters have improved, animations are done nicely which would be hampered by bulky models. Just a shame they couldn’t put a few more effects in to cover the jaggies that are very apparent in this game.
Even though its not amazing in the looks department it does reach a certain expectable level, graphics are fast and fluid, just wish the draw distance on the Gizmondo could show off a decent view when your free falling down the mountain.

Sound:

Like the console versions there’s a diverse music library all full and sounding great, from snow patrol to Placebo, you can also unlock tracks by playing the game defiantly a very high point for Gizmondo gaming and the sound mark.
Sounds are very similar but they hardly sound repetitive different noises help indicate what’s happening so you don’t need to keep one eye on your HUD.

Improvements:

The one improvement would be the graphics maybe a little work on the jaggies some how but it has been a decent upgrade from the original version.

Closing comments:

Graphics brings down a perfectly good port of an extremely fun game, the graphics doesn’t hamper game play at all it would just enhance it. I found this game so easy to pick up and play cant see any major problems with the control system as its very easy to play and the game sounds awesome (earphones are a must).

This game is extremely addictive to play, addition of multiplayer has made this a worthy buy, and I just hope FIFA can live up to the bar that this EA game has set we doubt it.