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Dom Robinson reviews
Sony
- Price: £39.99
- Players: 1-2
Every time I see the word SplashdownI keep thinking it must be prefixed with “WWF” but thankfully it’s got nothingto do with those muscle-bound meatheads. It’s actually a jet-ski rider gamewhich, for the first time ever that I’ve come across, is actually worth playingwhen compared to an arcade original like Aquajet and knocks into a cockedhat the ones seen on the first Playstation (and I never got to play WaveRace sadly).
The basic premise is nothing to shout out about though. You’re one of fiveracers riding the ocean wave and getting round an obstacle course in the fastesttime possible. Go left or right of the bollards, jump ramps and perform simpletricks to gain an energy boost or whatever it’s called in this game (they allhave the same function).
Choose from training, arcade or career modes and start off on the easier coursesunlocking courses and riders as you progress up the ladder.
While this game looks and plays like a dream, I’d be tempted to give it 5/5for graphics based on the water effects alone. I’ve never seen water so cooland inviting. It’s rendered brilliantly well and just makes you want to diveright in. There’s also some interesting fun to be had when you frequentlycrash your jet ski and go flying into the unknown. On top of this, it’sincredibly colourful and everything you could expect.
Soundwise, there are no problems here but it’s nothing particularly outstanding.Your jet ski grinds along, or doesn’t when you have an accident, while rocksounds including the likes of Blink 182 blare away in the background.These add to the ambience but the presence of Dolby Digital 5.1 would havetopped it off perfectly.
It’s a very easy game to pick up and play, although attempting the stuntsthemselves isn’t always an easy experience when you have to keep up with thepack at the same time. Also, if you do start to lose your way and fall behindyou’ll have a hell of a time trying to get to the front again.
Overall, this is great fun, but for how long? It looks superb and sounds verygood indeed, but I’d recommend a rental first before you decide upon thedesire to play it all day and all night.
SOUND EFFECTS AND MUSIC
PLAYABILITY
ORIGINALITY
ENJOYMENT
OVERALL
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.