SSX Blur

[Nester the Lark]

I realize at this point that I'm posting this stuff more for myself than anyone else, but I'm really excited about this game! ;D (Maybe my enthusiasm will be contagious.)

IGN has posted a new trailer that shows off some of the characters and flashes the character select screen at the beginning. (FYI, Felix and Maya are the new ones.) I really love the new hand-drawn art style, even if most of the returning characters look totally different. It kind of reminds me of the art style from Super Mario Strikers/Smash Football. It's just kind of Nintendo-ish somehow. I guess they really did Wii-ify the characters!

[Nester the Lark]

Hey, DiU. You mentioned that 12 tracks didn't seem like very many, and I've already addressed that. However, I've recently had the chance to play 1080 Avalanche myself, and I think I may see where you're coming from. The tracks in Avalanche are short! Some last less than a minute. Even the longer tracks (which, IIRC, last around two minutes or so) seem a bit shorter than the short tracks in SSX. I haven't done a side-by-side scrutiny, but in general, this seems to be the case. Even SSX's short Big Air courses put 1080's ski jump to shame.

And that's to say nothing about the peak-to-valley runs that link several courses together. I'm talking about individual tracks.

[Fryguy64]

I love 1080 Avalanche! ;D

Just thought I'd throw that in there. I have no SSX-related comments.

[Dances in Undergarments]

coreywoods said:

Hey, DiU. You mentioned that 12 tracks didn't seem like very many, and I've already addressed that. However, I've recently had the chance to play 1080 Avalanche myself, and I think I may see where you're coming from. The tracks in Avalanche are short! Some last less than a minute. Even the longer tracks (which, IIRC, last around two minutes or so) seem a bit shorter than the short tracks in SSX. I haven't done a side-by-side scrutiny, but in general, this seems to be the case. Even SSX's short Big Air courses put 1080's ski jump to shame.

And that's to say nothing about the peak-to-valley runs that link several courses together. I'm talking about individual tracks.

Hmmm... sounds good. Like I said, I pretty much just thought that since in racing games there generally seems to be 16 tracks (at least) that 12 seemed small. I didn't think of the length of track or (as you mentioned previously) the fact the courses aren't linear.

I quite liked Avalanche but felt it had a few problems. If this is better, and it looks like it is shaping up to be, then I might have to give this one a look.

Of course I need a Wii first, and thats not happening for a while.

[Nester the Lark]

I'm interested in writing a head-to-head comparison between 1080 Avalanche and the SSX games. SSX 3 is one of the games responsible for my attitude about 3rd party gaming.

Originally, I was interested in 1080 Avalanche, but this was a couple of months before its release in 2003. In my anticipation, I noticed another snowboarding game that had just been released, SSX 3. I researched the game, and it sounded pretty impressive, yet I was hesitant to abandon 1080 for it because not only was it not a Nintendo game, but also multi-console and a series that originated on the PS2. (Ooh! Triple sin! ) So naturally, I favored the game that was more... how should I say... Gamecube-centric. At the same time, I was so impressed with SSX 3's feature set, I honestly couldn't imagine Nintendo going that distance with their own game. (Their game designs tend to be somewhat conservative these days.) So I did the logical thing: I waited for the reviews. Once I saw 1080's generally mixed reception compared to SSX 3's generally excellent reviews, I figured "why not?" I got SSX 3, and never looked back... until now.

Now that I've played 1080 Avalanche, and having played all three of the SSX games to appear on the 'Cube (and being made a fan), I can finally try to answer my own question of, "Would I have been as much a fan of 1080 if I had bought it instead of SSX 3?"

[Nester the Lark]

I picked up Blur yesterday, so I thought I'd post some initial impressions.

If you've seen the reviews, then you've noticed they're slightly mixed, mainly citing the controls as a central problem. As an SSX veteran, I think the reports are a bit exaggerated, but at the same time, I think I know where they're coming from. Even the old SSX games that use a traditional controller can be a little overwhelming to a first-time player, so there's a learning curve either way. The Wii controls seem to be a pretty natural conversion of the tradition controls into a gesture-based interface. Because of that, you may need a bit more coordination to play Blur well. Personally, it didn't take me long to get used to it (altho, this comes from the guy who didn't mind adjusting to the reversed buttons in Mega Man Anniversary Collection). Not even the Uber Tricks are a problem, tho they do take more skill to pull off. Hastily waving your hand in a motion that only vaguely resembles the shape you're supposed to make will get you nowhere.

The graphics are terrific on both a technical and artistic level.

The sound, to me, is just a tad disappointing. I mean, it's good, but the cool, arcade sound effects from previous games are gone, and the more ambient sounds that take their place are too quiet. The music is entirely original, composed specifically for the game by Junkie XL. It's good, but doesn't seem to have the variety or energy that the licensed soundtracks of previous games provided. On the other hand, I suspect I won't get sick of hearing it nearly as quickly. (If I have to listen to "A Is For Action" one more time... ) Also, the characters don't seem to have any voices what-so-ever, which is strange since that was such a strong aspect of the older games. On the positive side, DJ Atomika from SSX 3 is back and just as chatty as ever! He adds a lot of personality to the game all by himself.

On top of it all, the controls and sound are actually completely configurable. You can even switch the Nunchuck tilt-control off and solely use the stick for steering.

Overall, I'm loving it so far! If you're not intimidated by the learning curve, I say it's worth looking into. I can post more impressions later... or just save them for a future 3PS. (You know one is coming for this game anyway. ;D )

[Smashchu]

I'd definatly like to try it.
I'm wondering if critics are being overly critical to Wii games. IGn expecially, even though they gave Blur a 8ish. I think they aren't ready for the Wii. Look out guys, your on Reggie's list.

[Dances in Undergarments]

Keep the impressions coming Corey. What's the length like? Good multiplayer?

I'm still on the fence with Blur at the moment.

[Nester the Lark]

smashchu2 said:

I'd definatly like to try it.
I'm wondering if critics are being overly critical to Wii games. IGn expecially, even though they gave Blur a 8ish. I think they aren't ready for the Wii. Look out guys, your on Reggie's list.

You might get on me for this, but of the reviews I've read, I think I agree with IGN's the most. That is, they took the view that the controls aren't flawed, just challenging.

dancesinunderwear said:

Keep the impressions coming Corey. What's the length like? Good multiplayer?

The game offers plenty to do. There are race, slopestyle, big air, slalom and half-pipe events. Or you can just ride around the mountain, collect icons that unlock more uber tricks, or accept special challenges or 1-on-1 challenges with other characters. Success in any of these unlocks extra boards/skis, outfits, concept art, the other mountain peaks and more events. You also earn stat upgrades for your character in four categories, and each character has different maximum values. All this is pretty standard stuff for the SSX series. In other words, it's a nice full, meaty game (read: not a tech demo or collection of gimmicky mini-games).

I haven't tried multi-player yet, but there are two modes: two-player split screen, and a "hot seat" mode for up to four players where you take turns. I kinda like that option since you don't have to spend $60 (US) on an extra remote and nunchuck.

All the tracks are either from SSX 3 or On Tour, so it's nothing I haven't seen before (except now it has even prettier graphics!). Really, it is the control that actually makes it a new experience. I would say the bottom line is if you're a really uncoordinated person, or are nervous about a slight learning curve, at least rent it first. The game does include an eight-lesson tutorial. In my opinion, it's worth learning the controls because the game, itself, has a lot to offer.

EDIT: Maybe I should add the disclaimer that these are the rantings of a major SSX fanboy. ;D

[Dances in Undergarments]

Nice.

Actually I'm thinking once I buy Wii Play I'll probably go for either this or Excite Truck. This certainly looks interesting, though for 2P simultaneous I need another nunchuk it seems? Still the game looks pretty nice, I'll probably pick it up at some point in the future anyway.

[Nester the Lark]

Here's another impression: This game is giving me Carpel Tunnel Syndrome.

At first, I thought it was because I had to keep twisting my wrist to carve, but then I realized I was just squeezing the nunchuck too tightly. I guess I'm just getting too into it.

The game does require the nunchuck. It's used for carving (steering), jumping (tho, you can use the A button on the remote), grabbing the board/skis, and board presses/ski pivots.

I have to say that despite the recycled courses and the hoopla about the controls, the game doesn't feel like it's relying solely on the gimmick of the controls. That is, even tho the controls are the most innovative thing about it, there's still a fun, satisfying, fully-realized game underneath them. I'm impressed by that.