SSX On Tour |
PSP |
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Review by Matt Paprocki |
EA Sports Big |
Racing |
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Graphics: 9 |
Sound: 8 |
Gameplay: 5 |
Overall: 6 |
Varying wildly from the home version, SSX On Tour is not the
same game. This is a version of the series made strictly for the PSP. It's easy to say
this is the best handheld SSX yet, though when your other options are on the Game Boy Advance and
N-Gage, that doesn't say much. ![]() Unlike other moves the series has made, there are two plain boarders to choose from, and they level up stat categories as the game goes on. There's no way for the player to increase areas of need themselves aside from gaining new boards or changing clothes. Apparently, wearing a new vest will increase your speed, but limit your cornering. New equipment is handed out by collecting stars on the courses (never fun) or winning events. Progression is easily SSX On Tour's most frustrating aspect. In order to open up what is a wide variety of events, you'll need to earn gold medals (and only golds). To unlock the highest level of competition, you'll need 50 events cleared, and you'll need to place first in each. It begs the question of why they even bothered including bronze and silvers. Skiing and snowboarding are both open at the start, so there are two separate event trees, even if the difference is negligible. ![]() Other problems should be evident immediately for SSX veterans. The trick system, which relied entirely upon the four shoulder buttons of the PS2, has been compromised given the hardware. Grabs have been assigned to three of the face buttons, and tweaking is handled with the R trigger. The opposite shoulder button handles the higher level tricks. It's a fair compromise, except for the square button that doubles as a speed boost and grab. Tap the button a split second before landing fully in an attempt to use boost and you'll perform a grab, instantly wiping out. ![]() All that means though is that this becomes a game of style over gameplay. The pieces are here, but the engine is littered with bugs and the hardware design causes issues. It's nice to see a new dedicated game on the console that needs software (aside from straight ports) so desperately. SSX On Tour is not the game to make that save. |