I got my copy in the mail earlier today and have been switching it in and out with the Shadow of the Colossus demo. I'll start by saying that I do NOT understand the appeal of the SSX series if this game is at all indicative of the other titles in the series.
The graphics ARE great, the game is ridiculously smooth, and the presentation is top notch... but I'm afraid the praises end there.
I just feel like there is so little skill involved in the race mode. There is no element of keeping your balance since I think it's just about impossible to fall and there is no focus on pulling just the right maneuver to hit a shortcut to gain a leg up on your opponent. The whole game feels like you're giving your character general directions in which to go and he does all the work from there on out. And if you choose a direction that clearly isn't a path or a shortcut then NO PROBLEM! It will eventually lead to the finish line.
I know it gets a lot of hate, but I feel 1080:A is closer to snowboarding and more engaging than this will ever be. In 1080 I had to work to keep my balance, hit the shortcuts just perfectly, and meticulously navigate around turns in order to win a race. The characters had weight and momentum and you really felt like you had some sort of control over them. I would replay races dozens of times to correct what I was doing wrong in order to beat my opponent and the feeling when you finally did win was fantastic.
I guess it is all just preference, though. I know I'm in the vast minority yet again.
The graphics ARE great, the game is ridiculously smooth, and the presentation is top notch... but I'm afraid the praises end there.
I just feel like there is so little skill involved in the race mode. There is no element of keeping your balance since I think it's just about impossible to fall and there is no focus on pulling just the right maneuver to hit a shortcut to gain a leg up on your opponent. The whole game feels like you're giving your character general directions in which to go and he does all the work from there on out. And if you choose a direction that clearly isn't a path or a shortcut then NO PROBLEM! It will eventually lead to the finish line.
I know it gets a lot of hate, but I feel 1080:A is closer to snowboarding and more engaging than this will ever be. In 1080 I had to work to keep my balance, hit the shortcuts just perfectly, and meticulously navigate around turns in order to win a race. The characters had weight and momentum and you really felt like you had some sort of control over them. I would replay races dozens of times to correct what I was doing wrong in order to beat my opponent and the feeling when you finally did win was fantastic.
I guess it is all just preference, though. I know I'm in the vast minority yet again.