Freekstyle – Review

Any game billed as SSX Tricky on wheels had me beaming long before it was released. When it came out I was off down to my local game shop to pick it up, gleefully waiting for some more Tricky goodness. It wasn’t long before all hopes were dashed beneath scramble bike wheels.

So, why is it wrong to describe Freekstyle as SSX Tricky? The thing that made Tricky just so enjoyable was not only its ease of play, funky tricks, wicked soundtrack and cool characters, but it was also the sweet control system that made it possible for a veteran gamer to find the game challenging, whilst the rookie gamer found it simple enough to play and actually get somewhere. Freekstyle certainly has a lot of Tricky under it’s skin, but it falls short due to the slip-slidey nature of the bike control. It’s not ALL dismal however, so let’s see what makes “Freeking out”, fun.

Graphically speaking, the similarities between SSX Tricky and Freekstyle are apparent. You’ve got the usual array of slightly insane yet funky characters to choose from. It’s smooth and sleek and has some really nice graphical touches such as the use of motion blur which is welcome, as it isn’t overused. The rider animation is crisp and is exactly what you’d expect from an EA title, with the riders all having trademark moves. Track design is manic. They’re strange, bold and all very different, featuring the usual shortcuts and alternative routes which leaves you with the option of how you want to reach the finish line. Although the graphics and animation are good, the nature of the game means that you can’t help but compare it to SSX Tricky and quite simply, Freekstyle doesn’t match those high standards.

The playability of Freekstyle should be exceptional based on past EA releases, but unfortunately it is ultimately this that lets the game down. Although the tricks are very impressive and numerous, basic handling of the bike is severely lacking. All too often your rider will spin out of control for no apparent reason, or go crashing into an object which seems to have appeared out of nowhere, which can prove to be very frustrating. If you persevere you will get better, but still expect the odd crash at the most inopportune moments.

When you do pull off tricks they look cool and will fill you with joy, especially if you can stay on your bike long enough to actually fill up your Freekstyle meter. When you do, you can then do some amazing Freekstyle tricks. These will be familiar to SSX Tricky players, as a similar method was used to bust ‘uber tricks’ in that game. Filling this meter will also enable you to use the turbo function, again similar to that used in SSX Tricky, although this requires you having control over the bike at even faster speeds than usual which could prove very difficult.

There are numerous features to unlock in the game including new tracks, riders and bikes, which should keep you interested if you can overcome the frustration of continually retrying courses in order to advance further in the game. To move forward onto the next level you have to complete 3 stages on the same track and even from the beginning these can be very challenging. If you’re prepared to put in the effort you should get through it eventually.

The soundtrack is made up of the usual nu-metal pop music you’d expect. Sound effects do their job with the bikes sounding realistic enough and the voiceovers adding to the game rather than detracting, which makes a nice change. The characters each have their own sayings and phrases which add to their overall personality and make them just that little bit more believable.

As motocross games go, this one isn’t really that bad, but it isn’t a realistic interpretation of the sport, rather pure adrenalin soaked action. The multiplayer modes can make the game more enjoyable because human competitors obviously will have the same disadvantages as you with regards to controlling the bike. Overall, although Freekstyle has some fun moments and does offer something to the player, it has a few major faults which takes away from the overall experience. For a better experience try Downhill Domination on the PS2.

Review by Angela