Games Database
PS2
Sport: Surfing
| Viewed: | 3D Combination | Genre: | Sport: Surfing |
| Media: | CD | Arcade origin: | No |
| Publishers: | Take 2
(GB) |
Released: | 29 Dec 2000
(GB) |
| Ratings: | 3+ |
Summary
Water sports haven’t been among the most popular genres in recent years, but they can be great fun to play. What makes such games challenging to the developers is the ability to produce realistic waves that perform realistically. Nintendo managed to achieve great water physics with the production of Wave Race 64. Following suit, but this time with surfboards, is Rockstar with the first game of its kind on PlayStation 2, Surfing H3O. But how does it perform as a game, and how does it compare to the real thing?
When beginning one of Surfing H3O’s challenges, you must first take great consideration to the character you wish to play as. There are eleven to choose from in all, each of them having their own unique capabilities and characteristics. Some are faster, whereas others have improved agility; it’s a carefully balanced affair. However, it’s important that the player moves around realistically in the water, and this is partly dependent on the game’s wave physics, which, as it turns out, are actually pretty good. Although not as vibrant as Nintendo’s Wave Race, the PlayStation 2’s capabilities compensate adequately. There are six surfing environments to race in, all of which are very similar, yet subtly different to one another. But the most playable aspect of the game is the ability to perform over a dozen different stunts and tricks. What’s more, these can be linked together to perform seemingly endless combos. It’s a good way to show off your skills to your friends.
Overall, Surfing H3O isn’t the most accurate game of its kind around, but it is a lot of fun to play, particularly in multi-player mode, and that’s the most important asset any game can possess.
When beginning one of Surfing H3O’s challenges, you must first take great consideration to the character you wish to play as. There are eleven to choose from in all, each of them having their own unique capabilities and characteristics. Some are faster, whereas others have improved agility; it’s a carefully balanced affair. However, it’s important that the player moves around realistically in the water, and this is partly dependent on the game’s wave physics, which, as it turns out, are actually pretty good. Although not as vibrant as Nintendo’s Wave Race, the PlayStation 2’s capabilities compensate adequately. There are six surfing environments to race in, all of which are very similar, yet subtly different to one another. But the most playable aspect of the game is the ability to perform over a dozen different stunts and tricks. What’s more, these can be linked together to perform seemingly endless combos. It’s a good way to show off your skills to your friends.
Overall, Surfing H3O isn’t the most accurate game of its kind around, but it is a lot of fun to play, particularly in multi-player mode, and that’s the most important asset any game can possess.
