Stoked is officially the best snowboard game ever.
A few months back we said it was Shaun White's outing - but then we got Stoked.
Released in the US about a year ago, we were held in high anticipation of Stoked finally shipping over here.
Like so many films, tunes, books etc this was a major release and anticipation was high. Personally, I always find there's direct correlation between hype and disappointment - one feeding off the other. The most hyped things normally end up being the biggest disappointments.
Not so in the case of Stoked.
If you've been riding before, you'll get it straight away. If you've never been riding, you soon will after playing this great, great game.
Truly a marvel of programming, design and 3D, this game is a wonder to behold.
Not since the early days of Amped and, particularly, Amped 2 has a game truly captured the essence of snowboarding.
Ride for style or huck to glory - the game actually remembers how you play and unlocks attributes based upon your particular technique.
Better still, how about this . . . certain things in this game are actually weather-dependant. Just like in real life, not all lines are possible until the snow comes. Yep - this game actually has next to real life changing weather patterns. Wait for that huge dump and go riding in waist deep (no kidding here btw) powder.
If you only buy one game this year, make it Stoked. Sure, your love life, social life and general health will likely suffer from hours glued to your plasma . . . but then all good things come at a price.
Take a sabbatical from your friends, expect your dinner to be in the dog, say goodbye to daylight hours. Who needs them anyway. Xbox calluses are way more entertaining.
Oh did we fail to mention one last killer feature . . . you get to fly your own heli. Scope a spot and fly to it. How good is that?
Don't just take our word for it - here's the link http://www.gettingstoked.com/
Don't just take our word for it - here's the link http://www.gettingstoked.com/
