Microsoft hosts its big snowboarding event, The Big Day Out, this week. Over 7,000 spectators are expected in Val d'Isere between 22nd - 26th February for the event. We'll be too busy with our jet-set lifestyles to attend, so we thought we'd go on the piste with Xbox instead, courtesy of Amped 2.



It's almost impossible to talk about snowboarding games these days without mentioning EA's SSX franchise. For many SSX is the perfect snowboarding game, it's a full-on assault on the senses yet the series has always left me a little cold. All that over-the-top stunt nonsense and leaping across fantasy downhill obstacle courses left me hankering after a simple race mode or at least a game that owed more to the real sport than what essentially amounts to a futuristic racer on snow.

It seems then that Microsoft's Amped 2 is just the game for me. Initial impressions are very good. The mountains look like mountains, rather than a cold day out for Doctor Seuss characters. The view distance is impressive – and the vistas are made all the more impressive for widescreen support.



Jumping into the game, I was glad there was a tutorial mode. A hopeless case like me sometimes needs one of those and it does the trick, there are lessons and practice sessions. By the end of the training, which only took about 20 minutes, I had a fair idea how the control system worked.

Most events consist of tearing down one of the slopes performing tricks such as grinds and spins to earn style points. Each run has a set number of style points that have to be achieved to complete the level. Some jumps sit beneath a camera icon, this means that you will get bonus points for showing off to the media on this jump. Along the way, there are other tasks such as finding snowmen.



One way to increase bonus points is to string tricks together to form combos. Butters are used to link tricks together. What's a butter? Well the player quickly flicks the stick up and down to start a butter, a balance gauge appears above the character and the player has to keep balance until the next trick begins. It's not the easiest thing in the world to pick up – but if you've played any of the Tony Hawk skateboard games, you'll feel right at home.

Compared to SSX, Amped 2 is an unforgiving game. It's definitely a game that leans towards the hardcore – but that's no bad thing. At least Amped 2 isn't as harsh on a bad landing than the first game, but it still does lead to a lot of tumbles while learning the ropes. There's a palpable feeling of accomplishment when managing to string a few tricks together with the aid of butters. Yet, the control method can let even the most skilled player down at times. Far too many of the controls are mapped to the left analogue stick – meaning one can loose an awful lot of points when the trying to land a trick and start at a butter. Better use of the other buttons on the pad, especially the triggers could have solved this issue.

As it stands the left stick controls character movement, the right stick controls tricks. So for example executing a midair 360 rotation is handled on the left, but adding a particular grab such as a stalefish is handled by pushing the right stick in a particular direction. This control mechanism does take some getting used to, especially for SSX players who perhaps want to launch into numerous tricks with each sojourn into the wild blue yonder. But Amped 2 requires the abandonment of such goals. Style is prized much higher over quantity. An steady, smooth flip earns big points compared so some ragged rotation. Smooth control over the sticks nets big rewards.

Much of the fun in the game comes from connecting to the world and enjoying some Xbox Live action. Just Ride mode puts eight players together on the mountain. There are also four session modes. High Score and Best Trick are simple enough. King of the Mountain mode is reminiscent of Tony Hawk's Graffiti Mode, here players with highest scoring trick captures the obstacle it was obtained on. Finally, Trick Race is a challenge to be the first to the bottom of the hill. It's not as simple as that though – a set number of points have to be scored on each obstacle on the way down or the player is frozen for a few seconds. Each of these modes can be tweaked – choosing particular time limits, penalties, board type etc.

Graphically the mountains do certainly impress. The draw distance, sans fog or popup, is extremely impressive. The other aspects, such as scenery objects and character models are okay if nothing spectacular, but the game still looks a treat due to those amazing views. Playing this game makes me wish someone would create a new version of that 16-bit classic – Midwinter.



Microsoft has trodden a different path to many games where the soundtrack to Amped 2 is concerned. The long list of tracks comes courtesy, in most cases, from a number of smaller bands rather than big names. If exposure to such tunes isn't really your cup of tea, then there's the usual option of adding your own favourite brand of noisemakers through the custom soundtrack. The character and announcer voices get old very quickly, but there's always the option of turning their volume down.

[Jen]

I took to Amped 2 like a penguin to cold water. It is less flashy than SSX3, but at least this game with its widescreen support doesn't seem like just a PlayStation 2 port. Don't expect to be jumping through glass barriers into city streets. This is most definitely a sports sim and aims to capture the atmosphere of a real snowboarding event with media and sponsors present. It takes some practice to master, but well worth the effort.

[Harry]

I must admit I'm someone who always prefers the more realistic approach in gaming. Whether racing games, flight sims or first person shooters – give me something that relates to the real world and I'm much more comfortable. So, in comparison to SSX3 this game fits me like a comfortable ski glove. While the control method needs some tweaking, the feel of being on a real mountain is superb. With several different runs on each peak, there's plenty to do in the game and the career mode will keep the player occupied for quite some time. Add the great Xbox Live functionality and you have a really fun game. Highly recommended.