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Stoked
This
well made and little known snowboarding game is probably the most realistic and
surprisingly entertaining games that has graced the world of console gaming in a long
time. At its heart, Stoked is an adrenaline pumping snowboard game that
allows gamers to display their prowess on the snow and of course pull
off a variety of tricks that would make Tony Hawke proud.
With a snazzy
menu system, the gamer must first create their avatar before engaging in
the world of Stoked which include sex and which country they are from.
Once you have chosen your virtual snowboarder, you're basically read to
hit the slopes but first, you need to select which gameplay mode you'll
try first.
Still feeling a little
out of your water? Thankfully Stoked features a rather short but
in-depth
tutorial to teach you in the ins and outs of this game. From there, it's
time to check out one of the short or long gameplay modes.
The gameplay of Stoked
works quite well and is mapped well on the XBox 360 controller, although
the learning curve is probably around the medium level because there of
the tricks.
The left analog stick is used to controller your
body, whereas the right stick is used to control your board and by
pushing this up, it will allow you to get air and then of course, attempt
one of the very cool snowboarding maneuvers. The key to Stoked is
acquiring "fame points" that allows new events, gear, locations and
sponsors to be unlocked and these are awarded to the gamer competing
challenges and events.
Although you can explore the gaming environment on your own and compete
in a variety of events to gain popularity, there is even a career mode
type element to the game that has the player getting sponsors and ala
Skate, a photographer will film your exploits.
As you do pull off the
various maneuvers in the game, the player is awarded points for
succeeding and of course, the better you do, the more points you are
awarded. Needless to say, some of these tricks are quite frustrating but
gamers who are familiar with most skating games, will easily be able to
transfer themselves onto a snowboard and on the snow. The career mode is
fun as you attempt to get real-world sponsors such as Burton and the
like and does add itself to this realistic snowboarding title.
Apart from single-player
mode, Stoked features some interesting online challenges
such as "Trick" where players must select a trick to pull off and if
they succeed, their opponent must also mimic this move.
Another fun move
is "The Ground is Lava" where you need to do jumps and tricks to stay
off the snow as long as possible which can be quite challenging at times
but very rewarding if you manage to succeed. With a variety of different
online challenges, Stoked is definitely as fun a game in single-player
as it is in multiplayer.
Graphically, the game is visually a good looking game and the 3D
environments are great which mimic the real-world snowfields quite well.
As you're playing in the "snow", the backgrounds are a little
Spartan
but it actually works well. Your snowboarder is animated well,
especially how he or she interacts with the gaming environment. The
game even contains some great realistic weather conditions which look
quite decent on the 360.
The overall presentation
of the game is great, especially how the developers have created a
variety of great designs on the boards and when you reach certain levels
of game, you appear in magazines which is definitely a great incentive.
To compliment the graphics, Stoked features a pumping soundtrack and all
the sounds you would expect to hear on the slopes which go well with the
gameplay.
In conclusion, Stoked is probably one of the most competent snowboarding
games available that although has a rather high learning curve, if you
do manage to put in the time, the gameplay mechanics will definitely be
rewarding enough. Although it won't change the extreme sport gaming market, it
does give the gamer a choice, besides the tedious skating market.
Interesting and fun to say the least! |
