Lovin' SSX3

[rustyjaw]

I just had to start a thread for this because this game is just too good! Not like that's a big secret, but this is just one of those games that makes you (well, ok me) sit back and marvel at how far video games have come in the last 20 years.

 

One of the great things about this game is how players of all skill levels can enjoy it. You don't need to me a Dual Shock Jock to fly down the mountain and do absurdly superhuman tricks. At the same time, those with more skill will not be held back. With the simple addition of the right analog stick, you can chain tricks together, giving skilled players the incentive and challenge to risk it all and keep adding onto that combo. Not a new concept, but IME maybe the best implemented version of it.

 

Then there's the freedom, go where you want, choose from one of dozens of challenges, from 13 minute race against the clock on the smallest peak in the game (top to bottom), to 25x combo runs down the superpipe event.

 

There's very little in the game that's really 'new' - but what is here is honed so finely, so well tuned in so many areas, it's hard not to get on the bandwagon of admirers and gush.

 

And so I will :green:

 

(edit: It just occurred to me that maybe this belongs in General Discussion)

[Carlucci]

Sounds sweet. My boycott of EA games will be short-lived, it seems.

 

Fair warning to those like me who were considering purchasing this title on another platform. IGN's head-to-head-to-head comparison is up for Insider subscribers, and they say that with the gamecube version, you will have access to less tricks and combos.

 

Controls: Ps2, xbox tie for 1st.

 

Also, on the Xbox version, they say:

If you have no problem hitting the B, Y, X, R, and L buttons at once on the Xbox pad, it shouldn't pose a problem.

 

Hitting B,Y, and X at the same time with my thumb seems a little tough for me.

 

Sound:

Xbox wins, Ps2 second.

 

Graphics:

Xbox wins, GCN second. (they still say the Ps2 is gorgeous, though)

 

Presentation: Gamecube first, Xbox second. (ps2 last mainly due to load times)

 

Overall winner: Ps2, with xbox and GCN tied for 2nd.

 

They also give this:

- Best version for single player: PS2/Xbox (tie)

- Best version for multiplayer: PlayStation 2 (online; minor advantage)

- Best version for videophiles: Xbox (minor advantage)

- Best version for audiophiles: Xbox (PS2, close runner-up)

- Best value/price: GCN/PS2/Xbox (tie)

 

 

So, I think the PS2 is gonna be my choice, based on the control scheme and the difficulty with GCN's controller on Tricky.

 

Now I've got to talk my kids out of the GCN version, because that's the one they really want.

 

Carlos.

[Sam P]

Carlucci,

 

Thanks for that summary!!

 

For someone who has never played SSX before, will it be worth going straight to this one? Or will I get roughly the same experience with Tricky, provided I can find it for cheap?

[rustyjaw]

I originally ordered it for the Xbox, but for some reason Gamestop couldn't ship it on time, so I went to EB and got the PS2 version (the only one they had left).

 

I'm happy with it. It really looks great, the control is top-notch. I have a feeling that hitting that combination of buttons on the Xbox would drive me crazy, YMMV.

 

I might rent it at some point just to see how much better it looks on the Xbox.

 

i said it in the SSX3 vs Amped 2 thread, but it's worth saying again, the level design in this game is amazing. On that 13 minute race I mentioned, you start at the to of Peak 1, and race to the bottom (into the city) and the variety of surfaces and scenery you travel through is fantastic. From the top of the peak that's quite realistic looking with soft powder, to glowing blue ice caverns, to jumps that look like inverted funnels and the classic rounded out s-turns...it's got everything.

 

And that's only the first peak!

[rustyjaw]

Originally posted by Sam P@Oct 24 2003, 10:53 AM

Carlucci,

 

Thanks for that summary!!

 

For someone who has never played SSX before, will it be worth going straight to this one? Or will I get roughly the same experience with Tricky, provided I can find it for cheap?

That's a tough question. Tricky is a blast, it has the same basic set-up as SSX3 (although you can't combo tricks together in anything like the way you can in 3). But like I said SSX3 is more polished in every way. SSX3 has more variety of events, improved graphics, slightly better control, more 'stuff' to collect.

 

When I first got Tricky I was amazed at the sheer size of the levels, and even though I've gotten used to games with huge levels (like Aggressive Inline, for example) SSX3 gives me that sense of amazement all over again, it's just insanely huge (it streams the levels of the disc, ala Jak and Daxter), which changes the experience of the game, giving the feeling that you are really on a mountain rather than just racing through a 'level'.

 

So, I think the experience in SSX3 is a good deal better than Tricky, but there's no question that Tricky is a great game as well.

 

You might want to give either (or both) a rent and see if it's for you.

 

One thing I should stress, given the little bit I know about your taste in games, is that SSX is not a realistic game. The things you can do, the speed at which you do them, are far from realistic. This really is an arcade game at heart. It's a very easy game to play, but very challenging to beat.

[Carlucci]

Originally posted by Sam P@Oct 24 2003, 01:53 PM

For someone who has never played SSX before, will it be worth going straight to this one? Or will I get roughly the same experience with Tricky, provided I can find it for cheap?

You will love Tricky, no doubt. I had a blast playing that game. But I have read the game is much improved in EVERY aspect for SSX3, so I would go for the top-o-the-line.

 

Also, from what I've read, the experience in ssx3 is nothing short of amazing. Ed's description of the 13-minute race sounds sublime.

 

 

I say go for SSX3, and kick yourself for not playing SSX and SSX tricky earlier, and wax poetic about what might have been.

[rustyjaw]

Ed's description of the 13-minute race sounds sublime.

 

It is, I think I'll do it again just to see everything again, maybe try to chain a string of tricks through the whole thing (yeah, right!). They mention in the manual that a 30 minute race awaits you when you unlock peak 3!

[Kain rising]

I've been planning on holding off for a while before picking this game up, but this thread is making it tough to wait

[Ktulu]

Ive been considering picking up tricky but I think Im going to give 3 a rent first and maybe pick it up after the price drops a bit. Looks like a fun game. Does SSX 3 have a dts track, I believe tricky does?

[Carlucci]

Originally posted by Ktulu@Oct 24 2003, 02:45 PM

Does SSX 3 have a dts track, I believe tricky does?

Here's what the IGN head-to-head says about DTS:

 

The PlayStation 2 supports DTS, which is surprisingly well separated and bassy. It sounds great. Meanwhile, Xbox supports Dolby Digital and this does edge out the DTS in terms of separation and bass punchiness. Then there is GameCube, which is carried by Dolby Pro Logic II. Separation is pretty good, but it bleeds across the speakers more than the others. All of them are THX certified.

 

Carlos.

[Mark E]

Or will I get roughly the same experience with Tricky, provided I can find it for cheap?

 

Well, the track set in Tricky is totally different from SSX3 so you can get value from either. I love Tricky muchly and it is cheaper. SSX3 is a pricy little number up here, Sam, I was out pricing them today . Hard to resist, but I have my Mario Kart itch to think about .

 

Do give a rent though, SSX won't be to all tastes, but I love it. I'm not too torn up about the trick set reduction on the Cube myself, but that's because I have no options . At least they fixed the Y button being the reset with a new option. I gave it a try on the X-Box demo at FutureShop, thumbs up though I hate the regular X-Box controller still. The employees don't seem too keen on hooking up an s-controller though .

[Ktulu]

I love Tricky muchly and it is cheaper. SSX3 is a pricy little number up here, Sam, I was out pricing them today

 

Yes it sure is. Especially with Tony Hawk and Medal of Honour coming out in the next couple weeks, not to mention the dvd's and cd's coming in november its hard spending $70 on one thing when there is so much stuff to buy

 

Gonna see if SSX 3 is in and I will give it a rent.

[Sam P]

Thanks for the assessments, guys! I will certainly try to get my hands on one.

 

Mark,

 

That's amusing that the demo 'Box you tried still had the original controllers hooked up. As arguably one of the biggest complaints of the Xbox, it doesn't exactly generate a positive first impression from potential buyers.

 

Boy, I hate that original controller. My hands aren't those of a Neanderthal.

[rustyjaw]

After a few more hours of play, I've noticed another thing I really like about this game.

 

No matter what mode you're in, be it freeride, freestyle, race, or any of the sub-sections of those modes, you earn points toward your rider. Well, more accurately you earn dollars, which you can spend on anything from rider attributes to clothing or accessories for your rider.

 

Even in freeride mode, every trick you do adds dollars, a simple spin jump nets about $2, whereas an extended combo can bring $50 or more, depending on how far you take the combo.

 

They are also rather liberal about the crirteria you need to fulfill to unlock the next peak, as you only need to complete either freestyle or racing, not both. one possible downside is that it's rather easy to unlock all three peaks (I've done so already, even though I've completed just 28% of the game). My single run down a part of Peak 3, though, indicates that a great deal of challenging play lies ahead.

 

Oh, and the mountain is 21,000 Meters tall roughly 70,000 feet...which dwarfs Everest by more than 2X!

 

I also noticed a bug in the game. On the Peak 3 Big Air challenge, it's possible to go "out of Bounds" by getting too much air which is just stupid. It's not particularly easy to do, but it's possible.

[Mark E]

clothing or accessories for your rider.

 

I was meaning to ask about that actually. Is this like Tricky where you unlock outfits or is it a more of a mix 'n match where you can chose pant x to go with top y with shade/bandana/small firearms z? Nothing that'll really affect my decision to buy, just curious .

[Camp]

One thing I've found that I don't like is how limited some of the courses are. Finding shortcuts and secret routes is one of the most fun elements of the SSX series but this game is much more restrictive in terms of how far you can venture off the marked course. In some cases a little maneuver that takes you a yard or two off course can result in the game resetting you to the course (while deleting most of your boost and hurting you on the clock). The previous two SSX games were far more forgiving in allowing you to chart your own course -sometimes allowing you to move a great distance from the main course.

 

It's just a little ironic that the game is subtitled "Out Of Bounds" when that's something you just can't do.

[rustyjaw]

Originally posted by iCamp@Oct 26 2003, 07:50 AM

It's just a little ironic that the game is subtitled "Out Of Bounds" when that's something you just can't do.

I'm noticing this too. Although I still think the design of the courses here is step up from Tricky. Starting at the top of a peak gives you the illusion that you can go anywhere, but that's not quite true as I've discovered by trying to go off the path.

 

That said, many of the paths are quite wide at points. Like when you enter 'slopestyle' areas, it's like a big skate park only with snow.

 

I am finding hidden areas, or getting to areas that were inaccessible before my rider was built up. But they don't seem as common as in Tricky.

[rustyjaw]

Originally posted by Pharmboy@Oct 26 2003, 03:22 AM

clothing or accessories for your rider.

 

I was meaning to ask about that actually. Is this like Tricky where you unlock outfits or is it a more of a mix 'n match where you can chose pant x to go with top y with shade/bandana/small firearms z? Nothing that'll really affect my decision to buy, just curious .

I think you can mix and match, given that the items are broken out into "top" "Bottom" "hands" "accessories" -- but I have yet to buy anything as I've concentrated on using my cash for attributes.

[Beer Monkey]

Any comments on the 480p mode and the frame rate (compared to the first two games)?

[AnthonyVolpe]

Framerate is 60fps all the time with the exception of Metro City when you're racing 5 computer opponents. It's starts to chug a bit.

 

BUt the game itself is so phenomenal that I was able to forgive it. Apparently there's similar framerate problems on the XBox and Gamecube, which doesn't make me feel bad for buying the PS2 version. ANd I have the added bonus of online play and a controller setup that doesn't suck.

[rustyjaw]

I've noticed that it slows a bit during the super pipe event on Peak 1, particularly when you're way up in the air, tricking you ass off, and fireworks are going off around you...it's not too common, and not serious, but noticeable.

 

I've been playing it in 480i, not knowing how to set the PS2 into prog. scan and it looks good. I finally got around to putting it in 480p mode and it looks sharper, but it's not a huge difference.

[Dimness]

Just curious, but is there a board where an avalance chases you like in the commercial?

 

I'll be getting this regardless.

[rustyjaw]

Originally posted by Dimness@Oct 28 2003, 07:44 AM

Just curious, but is there a board where an avalance chases you like in the commercial?

 

I'll be getting this regardless.

Yeah, near the top of Peak 1 there's a portion where an avalanche rumbles down the mountain. It's not too difficult to outrun, I think I only got knocked down by it once.

 

They also have other 'dynamic' elements on many courses, like boulders rolling off a hillside, trees getting knocked down (conveniently arranged into rails!), ice falling off the celings of ice caves...

[Sam P]

So I got SSX Tricky for the 'Box today. Thought it was about time to give it a try.

 

Plus it'll help me get psyched up for snowboarding season.

 

But before I open the game, I need to verify one important thing.

 

Both HTF's List and HDTVarcade.com have claimed SSX Tricky for the 'Box supports 16 x 9 and 480p. However, the back of the box I got (the Platinum Hits) doesn't have a cross next to HDTV 480p.

 

Can someone confirm 480p and 16 x 9 for the 'Box version of Tricky?

 

Thank you.

 

Oh, and it's not cause I'm anal about visual quality. It's just that 480i 'Box games don't show up correctly on my set. I have no problem with my entire PS2 library, which are all 480i.

[Kain rising]

I can't speak to the 480p but I know that with my Xbox set to Widescreen mode I have to kick my WEGA into the "squeeze" mode when I play SSX Tricky, otherwise it is vertically stretched, so I guess that means 16x9(?)