Stoked

With its solid gameplay, good graphics, fresh music and five enormous mountains, Stoked turns out to be a truly memorable snowboarding game.

We have to applaud independent developers and publishers when they release a game like Stoked. It clearly shows once again that it doesn’t have to be extremely pretty, uberly complicated and filled with tons of crazy modes and unnecessary options. Instead it delivers the deep and rewarding gameplay fans of the genre want.

Stoked is very slow to get going, but stick with it and you’ll find a true gem.

Stoked is a welcoming addition to the extreme sports genre. It isn’t easy, it isn’t perfect but it’s as good as you’ll get without paying the extortionate prices to do the real thing.

Other low-budget signifiers include some bland-looking riders and effects, not to mention few "known" artists on the soundtrack. But in the areas that really count – offering a compelling, substantial simulation of the sport – Stoked is the best option for virtual powder fiends we've seen in some time.

The game is quite difficult to master, which will leave a lot of challenges unbeaten while you're still learning and that will extend the life of Stoked quite nicely, so long as you don't hurl the controller down and stalk off cursing Bongfish's name.

Stoked isn't for everyone. You'll either love it for the ability to freely explore five huge mountains, or hate it for the lack of variety in career mode and the rather steep learning curve. If you find yourself in the first group, Stoked has more than enough content to merit its $40 asking price.

StokEd is a little bit disappointing. Especially in the first hours you always have to do the same things. I prefer Skate 2.

Sure, the game does start off a bit sluggishly at first but when it picks up you’ll be certainly enjoying these mountains. Give this one a try if you’re looking for a more than decent snowboarding game.

Stoked is good enough to get people compiling a wish list of features for Stoked 2.

Snowboarding games on the Xbox 360 are few and far between, but Stoked seems like a solid one which hits a good balance between testing patience and fun.

Stoked is priced at a sweet $40. So even if a tricks-splosion isn't your personal boarding nirvana, there's enough great stuff in this game that you'd be crazy not to check it out. [Mar 2009, p.82]

I just would have liked to see more time devoted to cleaning bugs and buffing out the core riding mechanic. [Mar 2009, p.89]

What Stoked lacks in frills it more than makes up for in snowboarding thrills.

Stoked is a decent snowboarding game, however the drawn out beginning is its downfall.

Stoked wasn’t exactly the brilliant snowboarding game I’ve been waiting for, but it was definitely entertaining. I may have gotten frustrated a few times, but I kept going back for more, and I loved the sense of satisfaction I got when I pulled off a particularly difficult challenge.

Once you've learned to deal with its quirks, Stoked can be fun. It's a game with a very steep learning curve and a distinct lack of polish around the edges.

There are moments in Stoked when you’ll feel like it’s going to become that niche snowboarding game that all of the hip, young X360 players are going to play forever; like SSX back in the day. At other moments, though, you’ll feel as if you’re back on the chair lift awaiting the next run.

The game starts off slow but really pays off after turning pro. A lengthy career and the ability to take to the online slopes will keep you playing this one for longer than you may expect.

Stoked doesn’t have all the pizzazz of other snowboarding games but it does a pretty decent job of recreating the mountain feel.

Lacking the hype, but surprising us all. Stoked is a good snowboarding game, with a great gameplay for both newcomers and experts. Many things to do, both online and offline, with several good ideas that create a fun experience. Interesting choice for snowboard lovers.

If you are a fan of this sport and want the snow season to start, this is hands down a very recommended game, because of the correctness of its different features and also for the realism of the mountains and the snow.

Stoked is definitely a game which can compete with other snowboard games. Despite the few inaccuracy's in the audio and the graphics, it's great fun and deserves it's seven mark.

Stoked is a good snowboard game. The vibe and the wide environments are a pleasure for the senses, and while the trick system takes some getting used to, it takes an hour or so of practice to get to the bottom of the mountain in style. The challenges you have to do pale by comparison, unfortunately. Also, the online-mode offers no challenge whatsoever, leaving you bored in a matter of hours.

The frase ‘Hi, I'm Wolle! Watch me!’ is heard at the dramatic start of Stoked. Luckily the game gets better because of the diversity and difficulty. Some tricks may go wrong, but with a little faith in your self, you can become king of the hill. Unfortunately you are being confronted with the physics and graphics, that aren’t that great. Despite of that Stoked stays a entertaining game.

It’s actually pretty darn close to being a good snowboarding game. The physics and the general act of hopping onto a board and carving, leaping, and tricking your way down the mountain could be much tighter than they are, as could the general design and progression of the gameplay, but touches like snazzy weather effects, cool challenges online and (eventually) in single-player will please the diehard boarders out there.

StokEd tastes of missed chance. Even if being sometimes entertaining, the game lacks in too many aspects. If you’re desperately looking for a new skateboarding sim, we suggest to pick it up when you’ll able to find it at a cheaper price.

Not bad if you can bring the skills. [Nov 2009, p.95]

Not perfect but worth a look for anyone who misses SSX.

Steep learning curve. [Issue#51, p.93]

As you do your first turn and notice your character eerily rotating through space in a box, no apparent bodily movement guiding the trick, the realisation dawns that there's almost no fun to be gleaned from satisfactorily pulling off a stunt in Stoked. [Nov 2009, p.112]

With a bit more experience, and a little more know how, Stoked could have been an enjoyable diversion, as it is, it's a broken, twisted shambles, best left out on a bare mountainside without a jumper.