While Tony Hawk shreds into a new style of play with his “ride the skateboard controller” method, the Red Tomato is sticking to basics with the release of Shaun White Skateboarding. A departure from his previous snowboarding ventures, this fantasy-based skateboarding game has you battling a dull, lifeless element by shredding your way through it, revitalizing areas through tricks, grinds and other moves and livening up the citizens as well. Think Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater meets de Blob, and you’ll get the idea. The gameplay’s fantasy element works pretty well for the first half of the game, as you’ll skate your way across new areas, revitalizing them as you move about and completing objectives set by your cohorts, all in an effort to free White, who’s been captured by the security forces. You can even skate up to new areas, by “shaping” rails and ramps to create new skating opportunities.
That sounds great and all, but midway through the game, it becomes a chore, as you’ll have to complete tedious objectives in order to complete each mission, rather than keeping the option of free-skating. Not that it ruins the game by any means, but it slows its pacing enough that some of you may not want to see it through to the very end. Sometimes it’s best to just stick with the basics, rather than pile on too much complication, you know? Still, while it lasts, the ride has merit. Rather than reinvent the control scheme, Shaun White borrows from Pro Skater when it comes to skateboarding tricks, and it handles pretty well. Reaching new areas is pretty nice, especially the upper levels, where you can chain together tricks and grinds and continue waking up the dull neighbors.
Ubisoft also deserves credit with the game’s presentation. While not entirely original, it looks great seeing areas go from black-and-white to color, and the skateboarders animate realistically enough to make you believe they’re fighting for a worthy cause. The soundtrack consists of a number of old-school rock favorites, as you remain in a skateboarding state of mind. Rounding all this out is a selection of humorous comments from dull patrons, who cut you down for your colorfulness. It’s like racism, but not nearly as heavy. No, Shaun White Skateboarding won’t reshape the way you play skateboarding games, mainly due to its mildly frustrating second half. Regardless, it’s a fun enough ride to warrant a rental, and a good starting point for what could be a future franchise. Just please, Ubisoft, keep the party going, and don’t pile on unnecessary objectives. We just want to ride.
