PlayStation 2

Sled Storm

If you were a fan of the first Sled Storm, you should have no problem enjoying this one. Similarly, if you played and loved SSX Tricky, then you will probably like the extreme part of this game because they play very, very akin. Although the control is slightly irritating and the lack of modes disappointing, this game is just pure fun on snow.

What is to be said against Sled Storm? In the end, it's still an evolution of the PlayStation game, rather than the revolution that was SSX. The EA Big treatment has certainly done wonders for what was already a good racing game, leading to improvements in the track design and lending the franchise a substantial helping of personality, but it remains something familiar done better, rather than something completely new.

Wer mit der Erwartung an Sled Storm heran geht, dass einem hier quasi ein SSX Trickier geboten wird, dürfte enttäuscht sein: Der Zugang zu den Schlitten-Rennen ist um einiges schwieriger, was vor allem an der knackigen Aggression der Gegner und der sensiblen Steuerung liegt. Selbst die farbenfrohe und abwechslungsreiche Grafik muss im direkten Vergleich zu Tricky zurückstecken. Doch eines darf man dabei nicht vergessen: Sled Storm will gar keine Fortsetzung zu dem Fun-Snowboarder sein, sondern ein abgefahrenes Arcade-Vergnügen. Und dafür ist es außerordentlich gut gelungen.

If you're searching for the ultimate in authentic snowmobile racing simulation, this isn't it. But if it's an extremely fun, fast-paced racer (that will exercise your thumbs like few other games) that you're looking for, don't miss Sled Storm 2. It's the snowbound sleeper hit that will entertain you months after the snow melts, deep into summer. And that's saying something.

Don't call it a comeback. Instead, call SledStorm a loose interpretation of the original. While its snowmobile competition retains the fast-paced arcade action of its predecessor, this new SledStorm takes the gameplay one step further as races now take place on some truly crazy, fantastical courses. Levels are colorfully vivid with a lot to see, plus the frame rate speeds at a consistent pace without any slowdown.

Purists will undoubtedly become frustrated with Sled Storm's unrealistic AI and collision detection issues. But there are plenty of hidden sleds and characters waiting to be unlocked by reaching certain trick point totals or by placing well enough on a particular track. There's even an additional gameplay mode waiting for those who complete the entire championship. Ultimately, Sled Storm uses the SSX formula well, and anyone who enjoys a challenging arcade-style racer should have fun with the game.

I have some very mixed feelings about Sled Storm. On the one hand, it's a nice-looking racer that deliver pummeling, breakneck action from start to finish. On the other, I have a problem with the way that EA Big seems to have stripped the Sled Storm franchise of the unique personality it once had. SS is just SSX with sleds, and I already own Tricky.

Les puristes du premier volet sur PSX risquent d'être surpris par ce nouveau Sled Storm qui se veut beaucoup plus fun et spectaculaire que son prédécesseur. EA Sports nous propose un titre dans la lignée de SSX Tricky et tout aussi sympa à jouer. Le jeu comporte tout de même un air de déjà-vu qui rebutera la plupart des joueurs.

Sled Storm can deliver a good sense of fun, and the ruthless AI does make the game more challenging, perhaps giving it more replay value. But the fun can wear down rather fast. The overall game just plays too much like SSX: Tricky, hindering the lasting appeal of the game, and also lowering the longevity. It's definitely worth a rental; though, since placing high (1st or 2nd) in the latter levels is such an arduous task, most gamers won't have the pleasure of opening the last couple levels, and this lack of forgiving play may turn off the average gamer.

Overall the production value on this game is solid, but since the gameplay is neither groundbreaking nor terribly engaging - the game just falls right into the middle of the pack. Not a bad rental, but not the sequel I had hoped it would be.

Alles in allem ein (weiteres) Spiel der Reihe "been there, done that" - gab es alles schon irgendwo einmal, bietet nichts neues. Dass das Spiel auf Tony Hawk cool getrimmt ist, fängt mittlerweile an zu nerven - solche Spiele gibt es einfach schon wie Sand am Meer und jedes weitere, was dazukommt, macht es nur noch schlimmer. Das Problem bei Spielen dieser Art ist es ganz einfach, dass sie inhaltlich die x-te Kopie eines bestimmten Genre sind und sich deswegen maximal grafisch von anderen Spielen abheben könnten. Aber in dieser Hinsicht bietet Sled Storm gerade mal PS2-Mittelmass, ist also alles andere als beeindruckend.

Overall then Sled Storm given the EA Big treatment ends up being a good, fun play but falls short of being great. The level design and visuals are fantastic not to mention the sound quality. While it has some obvious improvements over the PSX original it loses some believability in the process and therefore in our opinion can't be considered to be a major progression for the series. As an arcade racer though it is in the top bunch and is definitely leaps and bounds ahead of the snow sled competition (Arctic Thunder). It has an amount of longevity due to the challenging gameplay but you may find some of the fun starting to wear a bit thin after playing levels over and over in order to progress. We reckon it's at least definitely worth a hire so you can see if it's your kind of game but don't expect to finish it in a hurry!

Sled Storm isn't a great game, but it isn't horrible either. As I said before, some gamers will enjoy it more than others. I suggest that you try it, but don't buy it unless you're certain that you will get your money's worth. Much like beauty, entertainment is in the eye of the beholder.

Those who think about purchasing this game might want to rent it first. Overall the game is not so horrid that no one would want to play it, but it's certainly not fantastic either. Early frustrations can kill an otherwise solid game, even if there is something to look forward to. Sled Storm is such a game. Those who play this thinking they will get another SSX will be greatly disappointed. This is for those who walk the line between enjoying racing as well as performing aerial tricks. These will be the gamers who get the most out of this game.