Since Skate was released, snowboarding fans have been screaming out for a similar title aimed at them specifically – and the gaming industry has at now at long last delivered their wish in the shape of Stoked, a snowboarding title with shapes of those before it but enough new about it to make it stand out as a game you will not have experienced before.
Snowboarding games in the past have been, to put it quite bluntly, over the top. Many have looked as if they have been hording fancy looking features which have absolutely no use at all, much like those ornaments your Gran has in her favourite cabinet. Stoked however is just the same, only without the stuff you do not really need and to be honest, you never wanted it either, as the lack of it does not detract from Stoked appeal in any way what so ever.
In fact it makes Stoked feel a little more gritty and real than anything before it which can only be a good thing. The realism is enhanced further by the graphical world’s that surround you as you hit the slopes, as they have been re-creating to a fantastic level of detail which even the most anti-snow amongst us will appreciate.
It can be argued that snowboard games simply can’t go wrong. After all there is never really a story line for the game to follow, the range of moves your character needs to make throughout the games’ entirety is limited, and the game environments themselves are not considered overly difficult to create. None of these factors should take anything away from how well Stoked has been put together, though.
With no distractions, you take to the slopes in Stoked with the sole purpose of performing great tricks as you rush relentlessly towards to foot of the snow covered mountains – your most difficult decision will be whether to spin or flip! The game is pacey and it feels it as the trees fly behind you as you descend, and performing tricks at such speed will give you a surprisingly rewarding feeling if you manage to land them perfectly – despite the fact you will not gain anything other than trick points.
There is nothing new to unlock during the game, it’s all there from the start for you to enjoy. Some may argue this gives the game no real goals, but if beating your previous best tricks is not incentive enough, then you probably are not a real snowboarding fan anyway!
Even if you aren’t a snowboarding fan, you will become a snowboarder in Stoked as you are able to create your own character to play with. You select their gender, race and nationality which gives the game a personal feeling to you. You can’t tweak your characters face though, or anything else that is considered advanced, but this is not something that leaves you disappointed once you get playing.
As you play you are able to perform any one from dozens of real life moves that you may have seen on TV! Each and every trick looks great and is wonderfully animated – this includes wipeouts, but mind the yellow snow. Learning the tricks is simple, whether you self teach during practise runs or go through the game’s tutorial mode, it won’t be long before you are boarding like a pro.
When you do eventually start boarding like a pro, sponsors will come knocking to make you feel like a pro too. Gaining sponsors will see you wearing their gear, or performing tricks in specially set-up board runs with the intention of getting some hot action shots for their promotions.
Overall the game has something for everyone, and will be enjoyed by gamers of all ages. The controls are easy to pickup, and it seems to be one of those games that everybody is pretty good at – even your little sister will beat you on her day! Stoked is one for fun loving gamers – seriously competitive gamers should look elsewhere, though you guys would also enjoy it if only to try beating your own scores repetitively.
In fact it makes Stoked feel a little more gritty and real than anything before it which can only be a good thing. The realism is enhanced further by the graphical world’s that surround you as you hit the slopes, as they have been re-creating to a fantastic level of detail which even the most anti-snow amongst us will appreciate.
It can be argued that snowboard games simply can’t go wrong. After all there is never really a story line for the game to follow, the range of moves your character needs to make throughout the games’ entirety is limited, and the game environments themselves are not considered overly difficult to create. None of these factors should take anything away from how well Stoked has been put together, though.
With no distractions, you take to the slopes in Stoked with the sole purpose of performing great tricks as you rush relentlessly towards to foot of the snow covered mountains – your most difficult decision will be whether to spin or flip! The game is pacey and it feels it as the trees fly behind you as you descend, and performing tricks at such speed will give you a surprisingly rewarding feeling if you manage to land them perfectly – despite the fact you will not gain anything other than trick points.
There is nothing new to unlock during the game, it’s all there from the start for you to enjoy. Some may argue this gives the game no real goals, but if beating your previous best tricks is not incentive enough, then you probably are not a real snowboarding fan anyway!
Even if you aren’t a snowboarding fan, you will become a snowboarder in Stoked as you are able to create your own character to play with. You select their gender, race and nationality which gives the game a personal feeling to you. You can’t tweak your characters face though, or anything else that is considered advanced, but this is not something that leaves you disappointed once you get playing.
As you play you are able to perform any one from dozens of real life moves that you may have seen on TV! Each and every trick looks great and is wonderfully animated – this includes wipeouts, but mind the yellow snow. Learning the tricks is simple, whether you self teach during practise runs or go through the game’s tutorial mode, it won’t be long before you are boarding like a pro.
When you do eventually start boarding like a pro, sponsors will come knocking to make you feel like a pro too. Gaining sponsors will see you wearing their gear, or performing tricks in specially set-up board runs with the intention of getting some hot action shots for their promotions.
Overall the game has something for everyone, and will be enjoyed by gamers of all ages. The controls are easy to pickup, and it seems to be one of those games that everybody is pretty good at – even your little sister will beat you on her day! Stoked is one for fun loving gamers – seriously competitive gamers should look elsewhere, though you guys would also enjoy it if only to try beating your own scores repetitively.
