Carve

Given its bargain price, Carve is perfect for casual racing fans, budget-minded gamers and fans of other genres who just want a racing game to keep around in case a few friends drop by. Hard-core trick-racing gamers should look elsewhere.

Although its single-player mode is way too short and the trick controls are completely mediocre, Carve is a perfect arcade-style online racer easy to learn but hard to put down.

Doesn't come close to surpassing the bar that Splashdown has set.

It's not the best game for Xbox Live, but its by far not the worst either.

The AI can be pretty mechanical, the courses get repetitive, and the waves don't have the dynamic feel of games like "Splashdown," but at least the soundtrack is filled with a surprisingly great selection of garage rock and club music. [Feb 2004, p.81]

If Carve were trying to compete with AAA racing titles then it would be quickly dismissed as a failure, but with an affordable price tag and a multiplayer element including flawlessly smooth online racing, there is no reason that any fan of watercraft racing or Xbox Live gaming should skip this game.

It looks great, runs smoothly, and is certainly polished. The closest thing to an issue is the trick system. [Mar 2004, p.90]

Carve is briefly thrilling, but complete the final tournament and you're left treading water. [Mar 2004, p.102]

The graphics are uninspiring, and the gameplay is extremely simplistic and often boring. This game needs a shot in the arm - more exiting waves, a better selection of music…something.

A very straightforward version of the titles we hold dear in the watercraft racing genre, with Xbox Live giving it a little kick in the ass.

Being Xbox Live compatible, and a 4-8 player game, Carve would also be the perfect gift for a mate’s birthday if you’re really stuck for ideas.

Carve’s myriad of flaws and shortcomings ultimate conspire against it and ultimately, most gamers will find their hard earned cash is better off being put to something better (even if it is full price) than simply getting this because it’s cheap.

While it lacks innovation and gameplay variety, it has fantastic graphics, solid track designs, Xbox Live support and a budget price.

If you've been waiting for a game that lets you race watercraft online, Carve definitely delivers. So if you can forgive the generally unremarkable production, it can be worth at least a rental for this feature alone.

It doesn’t really excel in any one area or instantly grab your attention.

A great rental, but not such a fantastic purchase. It doesn’t have a lot of replay value, and is incredibly simple (I mention that for the billionth time).

The trick system gets points for being integral to building speed, but its execution is uneven, meaning you don't always perform the tricks you've punched in. [Feb 2004, p.108]

A great arcade watercraft racer if you put the terrible music aside. With solid control, cool looking water, and simple tricks, Carve offers something for just about everyone (especially those starved of watercraft racers on the Xbox).

If instead you only have a passing interest in all things water-based, it may be better to visit the rental store for a quick blast before parting with your twenty notes – definitely try it online though.

Playing "Wave Race" again earlier today, we just had more fun.

You'll get most out of the game on Xbox Live. Working alone or with friends, Carve's online races are unique as the properties of water allow for some novel gameplay. By crossing in front of rivals you can create waves that make life more difficult for them - something that works particularly well when working as part of a team. [Feb 2004, p.120]

A no frills, no thrills watercraft racer, this game proves that even budget-ware can look sharp on Xbox... This game is fundamentally unremarkable. [Feb 2004, p.122]

The game is visually pleasing to the eye but fails to produce any major "wows" overall.

While it's the best Jet Ski game on the Xbox, it's still left soaking wet when compared to Wave Race: Blue Storm. If you have both consoles, leave Carve in your wake.

Carve's saving grace is its online, multiplayer, handset-compatible, team-based play. [May 2004, p.56]

An average gaming experience. If you are a fan of the genre you have probably played similar games that are far better.

Whilst Carve isn't bad in any sense at all, then, it isn't particularly inspiring either and sometimes this can be more disheartening than a daring title gone-awry.

A decidedly average title which doesn’t really try to reach beyond that. Everything about it feels, not rushed or not completed, just poorly designed, almost as though it’s been designed for the budget range.

Decidedly average title which doesn’t really try to reach beyond that. Everything about it feels, not rushed or not completed, just poorly designed, almost as though it’s been designed for the budget range.

Offers nothing fresh or inventive in terms of gameplay and considering the subject matter it needed to. Although it does things better than nearly any other similar themed game that just wasn’t enough.

Heck, if this game had been released in 1996, it would have been a classic. But it was about eight years too late, and ends up only being good enough not to be a complete wash up.

Yep, it’s a bargain game. No, there’s nothing here that hasn’t been done better before...but you get what you pay for.