Genre: Extreme Sports
Developer: Microsoft Games Studio
Publisher: Microsoft Games Studio
# of Players: 1-2 (offline); 2-8 (system link)
Memory: N/A
ERSB: Everyone
Released On: October 2003
Also On: None
Features: Custom Soundtracks; In-game Dolby® Digital; System Link; HDTV; Downloadable Content; Online Multiplayer; Voice Communication; Friends List; Online Scoreboard
Website: here
"the modifications help raise the bar for future snowboarding games"
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Introduction
Microsoft’s first snowboarding game on the Xbox, Amped, was a huge hit among Xbox gamers. Snowboarding games are sort of like racing games; every console needs to have a killer snowboarding title, just like it does a racing title. While there’s no written rule that says that, it appears to be one of those unwritten rules that everyone seems to follow. Microsoft’s follow up to Amped, which is cleverly titled Amped 2, seems to take the #1 snowboarding game on Xbox title that Amped claimed, and just shatters it, and then pieces it back together with a few modifications. But the modifications help raise the bar for future snowboarding games, whether they make their way onto the Xbox or not.
Presentation
Microsoft must have felt pretty damn confident that the menu system from the original Amped was one of the best, because let me tell you something, they didn’t change very much. This is good for the people who loved the first Amped, because that just means they don’t have to learn a new menu system, while those who didn’t even play Amped, well, they do. Even with pretty much the same menu system, Amped 2 definitely has a completely different feel to it than the original did.
Graphics
"The Xbox has, arguably, the best looking snowboarding games out there."
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The Xbox has, arguably, the best looking snowboarding games out there. Sure, SSX (all three) looks awesome on Sony’s PlayStation 2, and Nintendo’s new 1080° is a pretty good looking game as well on the GameCube. But can any of them actually compare graphic wise to Microsoft’s Amped 2? In all seriousness….the answer is simply NO! Amped 2 has to be the best looking snowboarding game I have ever seen since…well, since Amped was released. Never before have I seen character models that look so beautiful, and the only time I’ve seen snow look this awesome, was the last time I went snowboarding in Nevada. The snow effects look absolutely amazing.
As for the scenery, I must say, while they aren’t the absolute best out there, they’re certainly not the worst. Microsoft could have taken some lessons from Bizarre Creations when it comes to making excellent looking scenery in games.
Sound
I must admit, the only thing stopping me from turning down the volume on my TV and listening to CDs on my computer to get away from the bad music in Amped 2, is the simple fact that I can listen to my CDs that are currently downloaded to my Xbox system in the game with the oh so wonderful custom soundtracks feature that this game supports. That may be one of the most important features in this game if you too get annoyed with the music Microsoft chose for the game.
Despite the fact that the music is some of the worst that I have heard in a game in a long time, I do have to say that the actual sound effects are somewhat good. The sound of your board landing ever so softly on the fresh snow sounds so sweet. So while the game music lacks big time, the sound effects some what make up for it.
Gameplay
Just like the first Amped, Amped 2 is a game that can, and most likely will, get you addicted. You won’t want to put it down. Whether you continue to try for the #1 world ranking spot in the single player mode, or you try and tackle your friends in a round on Xbox Live, Amped 2 is addictive and by far one of the best snowboarding games that’s been released…well, at least on the Xbox.
For those worried that the controls will be pure and utter crap, well, don’t worry any longer about that. Because the truth is, the controls are very, very good. Not perfect as most would like, but they’re definitely good and easy to get used to. Here’s a quick rundown on the default control scheme:
Left thumb stick: controls your boarder’s movements, also the brake
Right thumb stick: use this for your grabs
B: rail slide
A: ollie/jump, accelerate
X: snowskate, kick tricks
Y: lip tricks
Black: music favorites
White: music track control
D-pad: free look
Back: reset boarder
Start: pause
There are five (5) game modes in Amped 2. There’s free ride, career, just ride, session, and XSN sports. Free ride is for those who just want to get on a hill and start riding. Career is for those who want to try for the #1 ranking in the world. Just ride, although one would think it’s like free ride, in fact, it’s not. Just ride allows up to 8 players to tour the mountain together. Session is there so you can compete against others in various other game types and the ability for the host to set their own rules. And last, but definitely not least, there’s the XSN Sports game mode. The XSN Sports mode is where you can create a pack, and all the stats that occur while you’re playing on Xbox Live, as long as it’s an XSN Sports game, will be posted on XSNSports.com.
Conclusion
Overall, Amped 2 is a must own game for snowboarding fans who have Xbox Live….wait wait wait, even if you don’t have Xbox Live, Amped 2 is a great game that can be enjoyed even offline. Although, Xbox Live gamers will be able to prove that they’re the l337 snowboarder.
