SSX 3

EA BIG's SSX helped launch the Playstation 2 when both debuted back in late 2000. Following such huge success EA BIG released SSX Tricky, which received just as much praise and was released on all consoles this time around. It's been 3 full years since the release of the original SSX, and EA BIG's latest update in the series SSX 3 is without a doubt, one of the greatest snowboarding games ever created and easily the strongest among the three SSX titles. Never have I seen such creative level designs, diverse environments, and sheer attitude fused into a single game.

SSX 3 takes place on one mammoth sized mountain which spans three different peaks; each peak progressively getting steeper and more challenging. At the beginning of the game, you're restricted to using Peak One only. To unlock the next peak, you can place first in one (or all, but you only need one to advance) of the following events; Freestyle, Slopestyle, or Race. Or you can just cruise the mountain completing various amounts of smaller challenges such as clearing a certain gap or collect said items. The latter takes more time to complete, while competing in the more serious circuits takes more skill. Each peak has it's own respective boss character to overcome and you'll have to make it down to the very bottom of the mountain with a better time or score than your rival to complete the boss challenges. Travelling from top to bottom, peak 1 takes about twelve minutes to cover. Peak 2 stretches it out to about 19 minutes. And peak 3 takes a whopping 30 minutes to travel from the top of the mountain to the bottom. And that's if you decide to bomb the run, if you take your time you could have sessions lasting beyond 40 minutes. There are no load times thanks to a new streaming technology giving a truly unique vibe to the One Mountain element. You'll only see momentary slow down when you cross over to each peak, but no pop up loading screens. And the entire mountains terrain is varied and diverse so you won't wont come across any repeated textures or bland snow patches.

As massive as SSX 3 it's not endless, some areas of the mountain are fairly linear and restrict you from going in places you wouldn'™t think are blocked off. I found myself running into areas that looked nice and inviting, but when I dropped in I was quickly warped back to the main course. It's a slight drawback from a game that seems infinite, but nothing serious.

The trick system in SSX 3 hasn't changed dramatically, but it's seen some improvements. Players pull off tricks by pressing any combination of buttons, and landing them gives you points that go into your score as well as your boost meter. When boost is full players can perform uber tricks - over the top exaggerated special combos - and Each of the 10 characters have different uber tricks. New to the series boarders now have different levels of uber. With the first level your rider can perform a variety of crazy grabs, but nothing gravity defying. The second level is when your rider will detach themself from their board and perform flips, spins, and twists that are just totally out of this world and really unrealistic, but are lot of fun in execution and definitely a blast to watch.

The audio in SSX 3 is definitely on par with its visuals. The soundtrack is an unusual assortment of diverse tracks featuring artists ranging from Jane's Addiction to The Chemical Brothers, and while some songs feel slightly out of place there's something for everyone here. It's not exactly the substance of the soundtrack but the style in which it's presented that truly stands out, all thanks to the excellent Radio Big. Radio Big is exactly that - a radio. Broadcasting to you "live" by the excellent personality of DJ Atomica who has some very good lines and helpful information in regards to mountain challenges and circuit info.

Superb audio, improved visuals that where already good to begin with, and an innovative new way to tackle the mountain, SSX 3 is an amazing accomplishment on behalf of the folks at EA BIG. I highly recommend giving this title a try regardless of your interests in video games, and if you do in fact like snowboarding games, don't hesitate for a second to purchase SSX 3. You won't regret it.