A great looking Snowboarding game for PSP offering a challenger for most gamers with a top sound-track to match!
Gameplay
With priding it's self not so much on realism but more on the fun factor, SSX On Tour does this very well to start with. But as you progress in the game, the fun factor stops being so easy and starts to become a challenge; when it's starts, this becomes steep. To me, I enjoy this factor as I can't be doing with a snooze-fest of a game which makes it too easy for me to complete, but younger gamers may not like this and find the game not fun at all. There is But rewards are great and you are given new characters, better stats, new boards and skis to play with...
Skis? Yes, there have now added sking into the game, so it's not just focusing on the snowboarding, but the orignal snow/plank sport which used two tinner planks. This new addition doesn't grab me much as I am a snowboarder by nature and find most skier's annoying (cutting me up all the time). But personal friction aside, this new addition adds a new level of gameplayers for fans to try and conquour; and it's very differen't from the snowboarding aspect as going backwards is significantly harder to do on skis.
Level Design
Level design isn't as futuristic as you may expect, but more modern; most aspects of the mountain you could see on a real slope. On pist is interesting with lots to jump, grind and see, but off-pist, the levels become a little more boring with the player really having to look for jumps and grinds, and the scenery is mainly blizzary; this could be due to the limitations the PSP offers, but it does make you get bored of the off-pist levels.
Graphics
The graphics are fantastic on this game; effects are all there, characters look as they do with any decent PS2 game, and the levels are large and in charge if a bit bland.
Multiplayer
Multiplayer is availiable, so you can challenger your friends wirelessly on all the practice mode maps and events you have unlocked.
Controls
The controls are a little funny at first from playing the PS2s SSX 3 to death. You can control your character using either the D-pad or the analog stick; but when you hold down X to jump, you power your characters direction using the D-pad, the stick still controls the direction still (with less movement obiviously). This minor problem is easy to get used to and you soon find it a blessing when you go slightly off before a jump and need to line up again. But overall, the control are easy to get a grip too and you'll be pulling off loads of tricks and shredding like a pro.
Sound
Sound-wise, thanks to the games publisher being EA, a great sound-track is available with music from punk and hip-hop scenes; even a bit of old time metal in there for good measure.
Loading
Load times are a bit frustating, with games like GTA: LCS, you wonder why it should take more than 20 seconds to load a mountain when it takes 15 seconds to load a city. Also, it's not the best to play in a quick burst as most levels take a average of 3 minutes and 45 seconds to do, and you will have to do the level 2-3 times. So make sure you have a good 15 minutes to do a stage before you start.
Replay Value
Massive value with replay as when you complete the story Tour mode, you'll want to beat scores and try and reach that personal goal. Hell, you may even want to get 100% gold, which ain't an easy task! But those willing to try will have a massive sense of achievement!
Overview
Fans will love this game, but be ready for a challenge later on. The new skiing option adds a whole new level of gameplay which people will love or just no care. Load times are a pain and levels can be boring at times but this isn't too bad due to the great graphics on offer. But don't start playing it on a quickie as you'll need about 10-15 minutes to really play a stage properly.