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Last year we had
SSX
and while we wait for some more fun being "board", prepare for Airblade.
However, it reminds me more of the fun you could have in Back to the Future 2,
were you Marty McFly, complete with hoverboard.
You take the role of Ethan, friend of Oscar, a scientific genius and disgruntled
employee of the GCP Corporation, much so because he's been kidnapped after
attempting to be silenced because they didn't like the hoverboard he created
which creates limitless energy from gravitational fields. Hence, once you've
spent your 'boost energy', more tricks equals more energy to speed along with.
For those who missed out on
Jet Set Radio
on the Dreamcast, what this means is that you begin in a small cityscape with four GCP heavies
and four snipers to be done away with, as well as two atop scaffolding and
not forgetting a limousine that appears for you to grind your board along.
Once you've found where they are go along and pull off a trick in their face
to defeat each one.
Gliding your board around the 360-degree movement takes some getting used to
but once you've got to grips with the basics - and notice I didn't say
"once you've mastered it" because I certainly haven't - you can pull off one
of a huge number of fancy tricks, each of which gain you points. The smooth
ride around the city is a visual treat - the kind in which I'd like to base a
round of Unreal Tournament - and as you progress you're helped by
computer hacker friend Kat with hints at the bottom of the screen as to what
to do next. There are, however, some glitches which are obvious as you sail
about your business in which parts of the scenery disappear depending on where
you are.
Soundwise, this adds to the entertainment with a Dolby Surround soundtrack
that fits but doesn't do much that's outstanding. However, while I could find
some Dolby Digital 5.1 music tracks in the music player menu, they wouldn't
play as such within the game.
Once each mission is completed "evolution points" will open up new areas,
but hopefully with some more practice I'll get off level one, that's if the
interest level doesn't wane first as it's beginning to do. Of the various
game modes available, the "party mode", in which you and a load of friends
(up to 8) can try out tricks so that the one the lowest score becomes the
weakest link and is eliminated, is a great way to explore other places within
the game.
Bizarrely, this game, like a DVD, has a number of extras such as the aforemention
music player, a list of the available stunts and how to complete them, extra
levels, an Airblade gallery showing various designs for each character
and a "making of Airblade" in which Bits babe Emily Newton Dunn
interviews the team behind the game.
GRAPHICS SOUND EFFECTS AND MUSIC PLAYABILITY ORIGINALITY ENJOYMENT
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This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Last year we had
For those who missed out on
Once each mission is completed "evolution points" will open up new areas,
but hopefully with some more practice I'll get off level one, that's if the
interest level doesn't wane first as it's beginning to do. Of the various
game modes available, the "party mode", in which you and a load of friends
(up to 8) can try out tricks so that the one the lowest score becomes the
weakest link and is eliminated, is a great way to explore other places within
the game.
