Amped Review

Overview

Released as a launch title for the Xbox in November 2001, Amped represented Microsoft Game Studios' first foray into the snowboarding genre. Developed internally by Microsoft, the game aimed to differentiate itself from competitors by focusing on realistic freestyle snowboarding rather than arcade racing or over the top tricks. This simulation oriented approach, combined with open mountain designs and a unique career progression system based on media exposure, helped establish the series as a more grounded alternative in the genre. While some of its innovations would be better realized in later sequels, the original Amped remains noteworthy for its fresh take on virtual snowboarding.

Graphics and Presentation

As an Xbox launch title, Amped demonstrates both the potential and limitations of early software for the system. The mountain environments feature impressive draw distances and large, open areas that can be explored freely. Snow deformation effects, while basic, add a nice touch of realism as boards carve through different types of terrain. The game maintains a consistent frame rate throughout most runs, though some stuttering occurs in particularly busy sections.

Character models show decent detail for the era, with recognizable gear from real world snowboarding brands. Animation work is generally solid, though some transitions between tricks can appear stiff or unnatural. Weather effects like snow and fog add atmospheric variety, but their implementation is relatively simple compared to later Xbox titles.

The game suffers from noticeable texture pop in, particularly when moving at high speeds or accessing new areas of the mountain. The user interface is functional but basic, with minimal flourishes or attention to visual style. Split screen multiplayer maintains performance well but at the cost of reduced visual quality.

Sound and Music

One of Amped's strongest features is its licensed soundtrack, featuring an eclectic mix of underground artists across multiple genres. The music selection complements the freestyle snowboarding experience well, with tracks that maintain energy without overwhelming the gameplay. The ability to customize playlists adds welcome personalization to the audio experience.

Sound effects are generally convincing, with different snow types producing appropriate board sounds and environmental audio helping to create atmosphere. Wind effects increase dynamically with speed, though the overall sound mix lacks the sophistication of later titles in the series. Voice work is minimal but serviceable for tutorial sections and career mode introductions.

Gameplay Mechanics

Amped's core gameplay emphasizes realistic snowboarding physics and technical trick execution. The control scheme uses both analog sticks for rider and board control, requiring precise inputs for successful tricks. This system shows promise but sometimes feels unresponsive, particularly when transitioning between different types of moves. Edge control and weight distribution play important roles in maintaining momentum and setting up for tricks.

The scoring system rewards clean landings and stylish execution over trick quantity, encouraging players to focus on quality over quantity. Different terrain features require unique approaches, from traditional park features to natural hits and backcountry lines. The game's physics engine provides a solid foundation for realistic riding, though some aspects feel underdeveloped compared to later entries in the series.

Career progression revolves around building media exposure and securing sponsorships, an innovative approach that mirrors real world professional snowboarding. Challenge variety keeps the gameplay fresh, though difficulty spikes can create frustration during later stages. The open mountain design allows for creative line selection and rewards exploration.

Story and Setting

Rather than following a traditional narrative, Amped structures its progression around building a professional snowboarding career. Players must balance competition success with media exposure and sponsor requirements. This system provides context for the various challenges while maintaining focus on the core snowboarding experience.

The mountain environments, while not directly based on real locations, capture the variety of terrain found at major resorts. Each area offers distinct characteristics and challenges, from groomed park runs to challenging backcountry sections. The absence of a structured story allows players to create their own path through the professional snowboarding world.

Content and Value

The career mode offers approximately 20 hours of content for players looking to complete all challenges and unlock every mountain. Additional replay value comes from high score attempts and exploring alternative lines through each environment. Split screen multiplayer extends the gameplay options, though the lack of online features limits long term appeal.

At its current pre owned price of £9.99, Amped represents decent value for snowboarding enthusiasts. While some aspects have aged poorly, the core gameplay remains unique enough to warrant attention from fans of winter sports games. Unlockable content including new gear and mountain areas provides motivation to progress through the career mode.

Technical Performance

Loading times are reasonable for an Xbox launch title, with new areas streaming in during gameplay to maintain flow. The save system works reliably, tracking progress across multiple categories and maintaining separate profiles for different players. Memory card management is straightforward, with modest storage requirements for save files.

The game exhibits occasional technical issues beyond the previously mentioned texture pop in. Clipping problems can occur during certain trick animations, and the camera sometimes struggles to maintain optimal positioning in tight spaces. While these issues rarely break the gameplay, they do detract from the overall experience.

The Verdict

Amped represents an ambitious if somewhat unrefined attempt to create a more realistic snowboarding experience. While its innovations in physics based gameplay and career progression would be better realized in later entries, the original game deserves credit for establishing a fresh approach to the genre. Despite technical limitations and occasionally frustrating controls, it offers enough unique content to interest players seeking a more grounded alternative to arcade snowboarding games.

Pros

• Realistic approach to snowboarding physics
• Innovative career progression system
• Strong licensed soundtrack
• Large, explorable environments

Cons

• Stiff, sometimes unresponsive controls
• Dated visuals with frequent pop in
• Inconsistent difficulty progression
• Limited trick variety

Final Score: 7/10

While rough around the edges, Amped's focus on realistic snowboarding and innovative career progression helps it stand out from its arcade oriented competitors. Its foundations in simulation style gameplay would be better realised in later entries.

By OGXbox Archive