Adding a freeform mountain environment to the existing gameplay mechanics, this is a worthy successor to the SSX throne.
The other option for a sequel is to make radical changes to the game while attempting to retain the flavor and style that made the previous versions great. It’s a risky option. If it’s done right, it can breathe new life into a series. But if it’s done wrong, and it’s really easy to do wrong, the price can be the life of the series. But it’s this risky option that SSX 3 dared to do, and the results turn out pretty good. While the core hasn’t changed, it’s different enough to say that SSX 3 isn’t SSX Tricky. But even though Tricky is a masterpiece, that’s not a bad thing to say.
While it still retains the core over-the-top, immensely fun gameplay from the previous games, and the outrageous cast of characters spinning and twirling down icy, tree-lined slopes, SSX 3 marks a major departure from the series roots, if only because of the setting. Instead of choosing a track, on which you can freeride, race, or perform tricks, SSX 3 is set on a massive mountain consisting of three enormous peaks. EA Sports BIG has developed a streaming technology that allows the mountain to be presented with no load times. It’s possible to start on the very top of the mountain and make your way to the village at the bottom, all without ever seeing a load screen.
In almost all ways, the mountain is the star of SSX 3, and rightfully so. The tracks carved into the side of the hill are as varied and as diverse as ever before. Added interactivity also allows the mountain to bite back, including scripted lightning strikes, avalanches, crevasses, and other hazards that are found by real-world big mountain riders. The game provides for a sheer dose of joy simply by riding around the mountain and finding things to do.
And there is plenty to do on this mountain. Race events are still in the game, presenting the player with the opportunity to scream headlong down a mountain with other racers in tow. The Showoff events, however, have been split into three categories, more akin to “real world” snowboarding events. Superpipe events are held in a variety of half-pipe venues. Big Air events are short trick events punctuated by enormous jumps. Slopestyle events present a long course challenging the player to balance speed and points.
If that wasn’t enough, additional challenge is added to the game by the inclusion of Platinum medals. While a gold medal score or time is enough to advance, the Platinum marks serve to demonstrate your complete dominance of an event. These medals require near-perfection, and serve as a top-tier reward for experienced players.
One of the main complaints from the previous two SSX games was that there was no difference between the tracks used for racing and the tracks used for trick events. In SSX 3, this has been resolved, as the tracks are now dedicated exclusively to a purpose. In one way, this might remove some of the challenge, but in others, it has allowed the track designers greater freedom to make their events truly memorable.
The trick system has undergone a makeover, as well. While the basic controls are the same, and are as easy to learn as ever, added layers of depth exist to reward players who take the time to practice and learn the game. Style points are now awarded for stalls and off-axis tricks. And a new combo counter can add a hefty bonus to the player’s score if you’re able to pull off successive tricks without wiping out, adding a risk-reward facet to trick making.
Also, the Über Tricks from the first game have undergone a makeover. Filling up your adrenaline bar now gives you access to low-level Über Tricks. Completing four of these tricks opens up the higher-level Über Tricks, which are bigger, crazier, and are worth bigger points. Additionally, Über Tricks can now be held like any other trick, allowing greater flexibility it the execution of these tricks. Add in the fact that there are hidden Monster Tricks that are worth a large number of points, and the trick system is once again interesting and challenging.
If you’re not up for a medal event, though, there is still plenty to do on the mountain. Each course has a number of collectible snowflakes that are worth cash. These are scattered all over the place, and are a true challenge when it comes to finding them. Also available across the mountain are the BIG Challenges, highlighted by lights while freeriding. These are often unique (and difficult) challenges, such as getting to the bottom of a course without touching the snow or grinding a number of rails in a set time limit. This makes the mountain even more fun to explore.
And you’ll explore it a lot if you want to complete each and every character in the game. Many of the old favorites from previous SSX games return, as well as a selection of newcomers to the circuit. They are all still larger-than-life figures, replete with personality and oozing style. As you earn cash from winning events, you can also customize each character’s board, clothes, and Über Tricks at the gear shop, adding quite a bit of personality to the game. Each character’s journey through the events, collectables, and challenges is separate, which makes this a “mountain” of a challenge for perfectionists.
The presentation of SSX 3 is absolutely amazing. Even with the streaming technology working in the background to minimize the loading screens that you’ll see during gameplay, the graphics are better than ever before, with little in the way of slow down, blurring, or draw-in. The character models are bright and clear. The mountainside looks fantastic with sprays of snow and shining ice. More than once you’ll catch yourself gazing at the beautiful vistas instead of the rocks in front of you. The game’s displays have also been overhauled, too. While they still retain their old, non-obtrusive functionality, they now have a slicker, icier look to match the game’s tone.
Excellent sound design also marks the game. The soundtrack consists of licensed music this time around (more than just “It’s Tricky”) as is not only superb, but also has the ability to create your own custom playlists. While the DJ is no longer there to call your tricks and provide verbal jabs, he’s been replaced by a sort-of amusing radio personality that keeps you informed as to goings on around the mountain.
If all of this wasn’t enough, SSX 3 also sports online head-to-head play. While it’s not the deepest system around, it’s functional enough to allow you to start to earn some bragging rights online in head to head play. It would have been nice to see support for tournaments, heat-based races, or other parallels to “real” snowboarding competitions, but online play is definitely a step in the right direction.
So, with all these fabulous new changes, how does SSX 3 fare as a package? While some SSX veterans might be put off by the ever-expanding trick system and the change to a more free-form, mountain-based system, it’s definitely a change to breathe new life into the franchise, rather than resting on the laurels of its predecessors. The sheer volume of things to do on the mountain gives the game a ton of replay value. And the events are as challenging and as entertaining as ever. All of this results in another excellent entry in the SSX series.
If you’re a fan of SSX or SSX Tricky, you owe it to yourself to give SSX 3 a try and witness the next step in the evolution of the series. If you missed SSX or SSX Tricky, and are wondering what all the fuss is about, SSX 3 isn’t a bad place to start. Either way, SSX 3 is a fun, engaging winter sport experience that everyone can enjoy.