Review: Amped 3 (X360)

Amped 3 is the best snowboarding game since 1080 Snowboarding on the N64.

Amped 3 was a ‘360 launch game that many people have played so this will be a brief review

Amped 3 delivers some of the best snowboarding game-play since 1080 Snowboarding on the N64. The boarding is predominantly trick-based, but is very forgiving and is bags & bags of fun. As well as snowboarding there are also sledging, snowmobile riding and hand gliding mini-games. The only criticism is the occasional unforgiving slalom and magic gate challenge that may have you exploding with rage and frustration.

Purely on its original visual style this game would easily get a “10”. The cut-scenes and vignettes that string the story together are pure genius. The quality of the witty writing, crazy animation and video production is the best seen in any video game. The actual levels are great to look at with some fine snow and weather effects. All the in-game characters have super smooth animation and look cool as you string your tricks together.

Again, the cut-scenes and vignettes are the highlights with some brilliant quirky music, voice acting and sound. In-game the sound effects and music are equally good.

The game’s story mode is fairly easy to complete, which is a good thing as you get to see all of the vignettes. There is no online mode, but some simple co-op challenges are provided for offline playing. The achievements are designed to keep you playing, in particular the “awesomeness” goals for each mountain.

I picked up Amped 3 for less than £15 in my local Game, which was great value. You too should be able to find a pre-owned copy out there.

Amped 3 is just huge fun: from the forgiving and spectacular snowboarding, to the brilliantly witty vignettes that accompany the story. The visual style is highly original, funny and funky, which really adds a real layer of quality to an already great snowboarding game.

9/10