Boarder Zone for Windows

Boarder Zone

8-player Network Mode: Back it up when you trash-talk your friends Real Y2K snowboards GameSpot Boarder Zone is fun and entertaining, but only as a diversion. The single-player game lacks too many of the options and features you expect to see in a snowboarding game. Boarder Zone has many good qualities, but you'll find yourself going through all the game has to offer too quickly. It's more enjoyable as an arcade game to play with your friends, since the single-player mode is too dull otherwise. Boarder Zone's best features are its detailed graphics and its fluid 3D engine. When you go down a slope, your board leaves an imprint in the snow according to the powder level. When you turn, the board sprays snow as it cuts into the slope. When you fall, your hands and body leave print trails. There is also a nice replay option, and the chase camera always finds the best angles at which to follow your maneuvers. The lighting is realistic and provides atmosphere and a good sense of movement. With the exception of handplants, Boarder Zone lets you perform all widely known snowboarding maneuvers. Boarder Zone has no tutorial, but the game uses such a simple interface that performing advanced tricks like the 720 rotation, the roast beef, the melanchollie, or the stalefish is easy. You also get to choose from four brand-name boards, each designed to accommodate different types of snowboarding. Boarder Zone features four types of competitions: race, time, big air, and pipe. Once you've made your selection, you choose from four types of weather and three types of courses: village, alpine, or forest. You can also choose to compete in a championship or exhibition, but unfortunately you're limited to the same courses in each. Nevertheless, the slopes are well designed and have many jumps and great scenery. Not only can you speed past the rocks, trees, and canyons that you'd expect, but you can also go through villages on ice-covered streets, weave between lampposts, and more