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Brevity
05-13-2003, 12:18 PM
Source: Gamespy

Microsoft’s snowboarding sequel is all about beauty and style.
By Raymond "[GSI] Psylancer" Padilla | 5/12/2003



All screenshots Developer: Microsoft
Publisher: Microsoft
Release Date: 2003
Genre: Sports


• More Info About This Game

Most snowboarding games aren't really snowboarding games; they're racing games that have you controlling some dude on a snowboard. Microsoft's Amped series is atypical, with its emphasis on executing acrobatic tricks over racing. The next installment builds on the uniqueness of the original, addresses some of the original's flaws, adds some unique twists, and ups the visuals. Positioned as the "ultimate freestyle snowboarding experience," Amped 2 is sure to satiate gamers that get their kicks from performing stylish tricks as opposed to those that enjoy idiotically hurtling down a mountain.


I was one of the few people that greatly preferred Ampedto EA Big's SSX. That isn't to say that SSX isn't a great game, which it most certainly is, but rather that Amped's slower pace and emphasis on tricking was more appealing to me. The sequel picks up the pace a bit, but manages to retain the spirit of its forerunner. It also adds some excellent multiplayer options and Xbox Live support. The biggest difference I found was that the sequel can be enjoyed by gamers with different playing styles.

Like most games in the genre, players can find success in Amped 2 through frenetic tricking. This aspect of the game is enhanced by the new "butter" trick, which links tricks together for outrageously long combos. It's very similar to the manual maneuver in the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (THPS) series. Those that want to tackle mountains with flair will also find a home in Amped 2. Players are also rewarded for style; bonus points are rewarded for beautifully controlled rotations, impeccably balanced rail slides, perfectly timed tweaks, and more. Rewarding style adds a new dimension to the game while simultaneously allowing it to appeal to a broader audience.

Amped 2 boasts an impressive feature list. The game has twice as many mountains and twice as many tricks as the original. New mountains, which were mapped by a global positioning system for accuracy, include Laax, Switzerland, Mt. Buller in Australia, and Harris Mountain. The soundtrack boasts a whopping 300 songs. If none of them appeal to you then you have the option of using any of the tracks on your Xbox hard drive. Ah, I'm suddenly reminded of all my Amped runs set to Journey's Greatest Hits. You haven't lived until you've pulled off a full backflip to "Open Arms."


Though the game controls similarly to the first one, there's just much more you can do. The courses, many of which were designed by renowned snow park architect Chris Gunnarson, are diverse and take advantage of different play styles as well as all the new tricks. I tried out a few runs using a more deliberate THPS-influenced play style. The manuals are a great addition in that they help the game appeal to fans of THPS and make players strategically plot out their lines for the longest combinations possible. Style runs can net scores just as high, but offer different gameplay; tightly controlling flips, maintaining precise rail balance, and sticking perfect landings definitely makes you take a different approach that's just as enjoyable as creating a cacophony of combos.

In addition to the single-player modes, which span the typical careers and challenges, Amped 2 has a slew of multiplayer modes that also take their cues from similar titles. Players can engage in a game of HORSE and a game where players tag parts of the mountain by tricking (similar to THPS's graffiti mode). Of course, there are typical high-score and versus modes as well. Multiplayer games can played over split screen, System Link, and Xbox Live. The Live support is particularly interesting as it allows you to send your best video clips (taken by those pesky in-game cameramen) and keep track of numerous stats (highest-scoring trick, most tricks in a combo, etc.). Up to eight players can be on a mountain over Xbox Live.

Perhaps the sweetest treat in Amped 2 is its graphics. The visuals are improved on every level: better models, greater details, and support for HD resolutions, including 720p! Microsoft is making sure that this sequel is more than just an incremental improvement with a higher number slapped onto it. Amped 2 has more of everything that made the first one good, improvements that will make it more appealing to a broader range of gamers, and loads of additional features -- a rarity in sports sequels. Though SSX is currently the king of the mountain, Amped 2 should give it a run for its money when it's released this holiday season.