I just picked up the game and got through with about an hour with it. Overall pretty fun. So far I've just used the balance board to snowboard. Kind of cool, but a little awkward. My neck and back hurt a lot. Part of it is due to how I have my TV higher than my head (it sits on the mantle over the fireplace), but part of it is due to how when you snowboard your body faces one direct but your neck has to face perpendicular to your feet the whole time. And as you're in that position leaning forward and backward. . . well it kind of hurts. Or perhaps I'm just out of shape.
But so far it's a neat game. I never played the original so I can't judge this one against it, but after an hour there's a lot that's surprised me. There's photographers scattered around the mountain and if you stop by then you'll get your picture taken in a scenic location. There's also quests to do. Nothing big, but at the bottom of the mountain there are people who need favors done, like picking up things from friends who are elsewhere on the mountain.
The game mechanics are strong when played with the balance board. It takes a little getting used to as I've never snowboarded, but once you get the hang of it, it feels very natural pushing off and then shifting your weight to glide down the mountain.
The graphics are excellent for a Wii game. Dusk is a beautiful time with the sun shining in some locations while heavy shadows hang over other parts. And the scenery overall is very impressive. As you start off high on the mountains you feel like you're all alone with just you, the snow and the clouds, and as you go by you might find someone else until finally you start seeing a lot of skiers and snowboarders (many of whom are bumping into each other and getting hurt).
It's a little too early to give a recommendation, but at $40 I have a feeling that it's worth picking up new.
Robio, sounds like you are out of shape. I have minor back problems but maybe it would help my back strength? I have no balance board though. I just saw that IGN gave it a low score.
Try out the normal controls for me please. Nice impressions. Have you played a night race yet?
Just read the IGN review, that review seriously sucks balls.
Closing Comments We Ski & Snowboard goes too far into casual territory and ends up being apathetic. With no structure or goal to reach the game just lays there. Players have no incentive to do anything. It doesn't come close to the exhilarating feeling of playing these sports because the game is slow and the waggle controls are clunky. The balance board has been implemented well, but that's about the only reason to give this sequel a try. Otherwise, it's an exercise in apathy.
The whole game is ruined because everything is unlocked from the start? WTF? So if every level of RE5 was unlocked from the start I guess you wouldn't want to play it at all right? *rolls eyes* Other reviews have praised that aspect calling it a wintery playground or saying that there is tons of stuff to do. That is their only complaint, or the controls which everyone else has praised?
What a crappy review. I remember the 1up review of the original was a good review that made me keep my eye on the sequel.
Let me address the IGN review. It comes down to this: the reviewer is the type of gamer who needs a beginning, middle, and end of a game. He's clearly not into open-ended playground kind of games. He's bothered that the courses are unlocked. I don't quite get why it's a problem. There's no reason why you would just do the hardest course and not do the easier ones. If you do that you'll miss a lot of things that are going on up and down the slopes. Plus you can spend a lot of time unlocking new outfits and gear, by doing different errands, winning races, and taking tours.
gamingeek said:
Robio, sounds like you are out of shape. I have minor back problems but maybe it would help my back strength? I have no balance board though. I just saw that IGN gave it a low score.
Try out the normal controls for me please. Nice impressions. Have you played a night race yet?
As far as your back strength, maybe if you use the balance board it could help. The standard controls won't do a thing for you physically. And frankly if you don't have the balance board the game isn't nearly as fun. The leaning to the left and right is what gives it the arcade experience and pulls you in. With the normal controls it's just another sports game. I'd pass if you don't have the balance board - though frankly I'd recommend you pick one up at some point. If you really want to work on your back strength the Wii Yoga will do wonders for you.
Just a little more information on the game. There's two separate areas to ski. The first is the mountain resort which is covered with ramps, mogels, rails, etc., and lots of people. It's basically the place where you do more trick skiing and boarding. Then there's the mountain peak area which is more isolated, more natural, and offers more of a sense of exploration.
So far my favorite aspect of the game has been unlocking the Thumbs Up. If you do something impressive or difficult you're be rewarded with a Thumbs Up icon that will unlock Special gear (I just got a Jesus robe which is really odd though it's now my wardrobe of choice). They're a little random since there's nothing really to tell you what to do to get them, but it offers up a nice surprise. I got my first when I jumped over a large chasm (that took me about 4 attempts to do).
I am very much enjoying the game. It's more for just the atmosphere and seeing the sites, but I'm sure as I get better I'll start doing more deliveries and contests.
Oh yeah. The courses are all unlocked but if you want to customize your avatar at all you're going to have to do some work.
I was listening to the IGN podcast. I really dont understand Hatfields reasoning. He said you can go up to a character and race them and win. And because it doesn't unlock anything he feels the whole game is pointless? This game seems like a sandbox game, the pleasure comes from playing it, not because they will give you a new track next time. He and Bozon also seem to be under the impression that there is just the mountain and nothing else, when I read that there are two mountains like you said, the resort and the proper above clouds mountain.
I just picked up the game and got through with about an hour with it. Overall pretty fun. So far I've just used the balance board to snowboard. Kind of cool, but a little awkward. My neck and back hurt a lot. Part of it is due to how I have my TV higher than my head (it sits on the mantle over the fireplace), but part of it is due to how when you snowboard your body faces one direct but your neck has to face perpendicular to your feet the whole time. And as you're in that position leaning forward and backward. . . well it kind of hurts. Or perhaps I'm just out of shape.
But so far it's a neat game. I never played the original so I can't judge this one against it, but after an hour there's a lot that's surprised me. There's photographers scattered around the mountain and if you stop by then you'll get your picture taken in a scenic location. There's also quests to do. Nothing big, but at the bottom of the mountain there are people who need favors done, like picking up things from friends who are elsewhere on the mountain.
The game mechanics are strong when played with the balance board. It takes a little getting used to as I've never snowboarded, but once you get the hang of it, it feels very natural pushing off and then shifting your weight to glide down the mountain.
The graphics are excellent for a Wii game. Dusk is a beautiful time with the sun shining in some locations while heavy shadows hang over other parts. And the scenery overall is very impressive. As you start off high on the mountains you feel like you're all alone with just you, the snow and the clouds, and as you go by you might find someone else until finally you start seeing a lot of skiers and snowboarders (many of whom are bumping into each other and getting hurt).
It's a little too early to give a recommendation, but at $40 I have a feeling that it's worth picking up new.
Robio, sounds like you are out of shape. I have minor back problems but maybe it would help my back strength? I have no balance board though. I just saw that IGN gave it a low score.
Try out the normal controls for me please. Nice impressions. Have you played a night race yet?
Just read the IGN review, that review seriously sucks balls.
Closing Comments
We Ski & Snowboard goes too far into casual territory and ends up being apathetic. With no structure or goal to reach the game just lays there. Players have no incentive to do anything. It doesn't come close to the exhilarating feeling of playing these sports because the game is slow and the waggle controls are clunky. The balance board has been implemented well, but that's about the only reason to give this sequel a try. Otherwise, it's an exercise in apathy.
The whole game is ruined because everything is unlocked from the start? WTF? So if every level of RE5 was unlocked from the start I guess you wouldn't want to play it at all right? *rolls eyes* Other reviews have praised that aspect calling it a wintery playground or saying that there is tons of stuff to do. That is their only complaint, or the controls which everyone else has praised?
What a crappy review. I remember the 1up review of the original was a good review that made me keep my eye on the sequel.
Let me address the IGN review. It comes down to this: the reviewer is the type of gamer who needs a beginning, middle, and end of a game. He's clearly not into open-ended playground kind of games. He's bothered that the courses are unlocked. I don't quite get why it's a problem. There's no reason why you would just do the hardest course and not do the easier ones. If you do that you'll miss a lot of things that are going on up and down the slopes. Plus you can spend a lot of time unlocking new outfits and gear, by doing different errands, winning races, and taking tours.
As far as your back strength, maybe if you use the balance board it could help. The standard controls won't do a thing for you physically. And frankly if you don't have the balance board the game isn't nearly as fun. The leaning to the left and right is what gives it the arcade experience and pulls you in. With the normal controls it's just another sports game. I'd pass if you don't have the balance board - though frankly I'd recommend you pick one up at some point. If you really want to work on your back strength the Wii Yoga will do wonders for you.
I actually have really bad posture. I use a back support for seats.
Just a little more information on the game. There's two separate areas to ski. The first is the mountain resort which is covered with ramps, mogels, rails, etc., and lots of people. It's basically the place where you do more trick skiing and boarding. Then there's the mountain peak area which is more isolated, more natural, and offers more of a sense of exploration.
So far my favorite aspect of the game has been unlocking the Thumbs Up. If you do something impressive or difficult you're be rewarded with a Thumbs Up icon that will unlock Special gear (I just got a Jesus robe which is really odd though it's now my wardrobe of choice). They're a little random since there's nothing really to tell you what to do to get them, but it offers up a nice surprise. I got my first when I jumped over a large chasm (that took me about 4 attempts to do).
I am very much enjoying the game. It's more for just the atmosphere and seeing the sites, but I'm sure as I get better I'll start doing more deliveries and contests.
Oh yeah. The courses are all unlocked but if you want to customize your avatar at all you're going to have to do some work.
I was listening to the IGN podcast. I really dont understand Hatfields reasoning. He said you can go up to a character and race them and win. And because it doesn't unlock anything he feels the whole game is pointless? This game seems like a sandbox game, the pleasure comes from playing it, not because they will give you a new track next time. He and Bozon also seem to be under the impression that there is just the mountain and nothing else, when I read that there are two mountains like you said, the resort and the proper above clouds mountain.
I saw this in store today. Full price? £34.99? That's like $70.
Shaun white is half that on Amazon.