It’s been a long winding road for SSX, initially getting an introduction back in 2010 as SSX: Deadly Descents and eventually shaping back into the full-fledged over-the-top snowboarding experience we’ve come to love in previous games on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox.  But the game finally arrives next week, so many will say that it definitely has been worth it.  However, you won’t need to wait to give it a go, as a very extensive demo is now available on Xbox Live, and set to hit PlayStation Network later today.  We decided to give it an early run to give you an idea what to expect.

Whether you’re a veteran of the SSX series or someone getting their feet powdered for the first time, you’ll want to try out the game’s tutorial, which pits you in mid-air and lets you flip around like crazy without the worry of crashing head first into the snow below.  It’s here that you’ll become intuitive in the trick system, which is more than just mashing buttons like crazy.  Flips and spins are executed using the left analog stick, and, as in previous games, you can hold down the jump button prior to getting some air to “wind up”, making your spins and flips even more frenetic as you catch some air.

On the ground, you’re capable of pulling off small techniques to extend your combos, such as a nose ollie or a back stand, but you’ll want to make sure that balance is kept to avoid tumbling off the board, especially during tight turns.  (One time, we pulled a Bono and ran right into a tree – ouch.)  Your landings are also pretty well handled.  Simply finish up the trick you’re doing, and your rider will adjust for a smooth three-point landing, without eating a face full of powder.  You might need to manually adjust a bit, but it’s hardly as laborious as, say, hitting the right button in Nintendo’s 1080 Snowboarding franchise.

As for tricks, you can execute them one of two ways.  You can either use the right analog stick, or the face buttons on the controller.  In some particular points of the game, you can actually combine both, creating a fluid trick style that will help build your combo meter.  One neat aspect is being able to tap on one button (or direction) and then hit another right after that, allowing your left hand to grab the right side of the board, or vice versa, or front to back or vice versa in that regard.  Mixing these together with spins and flips will help diversify your trick techniques, and fill up your Tricky meter.

Yes, the Tricky meter is back, but it’s more pointed towards the trick style of gaming rather than Run DMC’s classic rap song.  Once this fills up, your boost can be used to unlimited means, making you faster and enabling you to “ramp up” for jumps and other special tricks.  Get enough and you’ll activate the Super Tricky meter, in which you can execute a special move by hitting both the left and right trigger buttons, along with a button on the face pad or a tap on the right analog stick.  All of this comes together into one spectacular play style, which you’ll get to test on a practice course after completing the tutorial.

About the Author

Robert Workman

Senior Writer/Editor

Robert has years of experience in the video game industry, writing for such sites as AOL GameDaily, PlanetXbox360 and Comic Book Resources.  He can also outdrink you any day of the week.  And twice on Sunday.  Follow him at www.twitter.com/thedcd.