MIXED MEDIA
If you're game for travel, 'Splashdown' is full of fun
By Marc Saltzman
Gannett News Service
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You'll find your electronic vacation package in "Splashdown," a new title for Xbox. It's a heck of a fun ride for $49 and one that looks as great as it plays.
Based on last year's PlayStation 2 game, the Xbox version challenges you to race personal watercraft through a number of world-class race courses. You must win races to advance to new courses, and you're rewarded with performance boosts for successfully pulling off tricky stunts.
As explained in the lengthy tutorial, driving the Sea-Doo watercraft at high speeds means big air when launching over ramps. That provides the perfect opportunity to master tricks such as the "Superman" (your arms are on the handlebars with everything else flapping behind), the "Lazyboy" (you're seated, but your body is reclined all the way back) or the "Handlebar Handstand" (you balance upside down on the handlebars).
You perform stunts by pressing one of three buttons on the controller while pushing or pulling the left analog stick. You can attempt to pull off more than 25 tricks, including an exclusive "signature stunt." Once the performance meter is maxxed, you will experience increased power and acceleration. But repeated stunts will only receive a percentage of their original value, making it more difficult to reach the payoff.
The "career" mode in "Splashdown" means racing through consecutive courses, each with their own unique look and distinctive obstacles. If you win (or in some cases, place), the next location is unlocked, inching you toward the coveted cup. Every three or four races, you'll be challenged to compete in a one-on-one Challenge Round, and if you win, your opponent joins your team for the next race.
New characters and wetsuits will become unlocked after multiple wins. You can choose from eight racers (plus one hidden one).
You can play "Splashdown" with a friend by racing Sea-Doos against each other or by playing the "copycat" mode, where one player must mimic the other player's stunts within a set time period. The two-player option allows for both horizontal and vertical split-screen views.
So, what's new in the Xbox version? Not too much, but there are two bonus courses (New England Lighthouse and Thousand Islands), two new characters (Coral Suarez and Jonah Barrett) and better visuals than the PlayStation 2 version.
In fact, the water effects in "Splashdown" are the best yet in a video game. Don't be surprised if you pause the game just to marvel at the glistening ripples, waves and rain.
On the music front, the alternative rock, pop and light punk songs in the game are a little annoying after a while, but it's possible to turn off the soundtrack. The game allows you to import your own tunes, but the process is both technical and time-consuming.
Overall, "Splashdown" is a great solo diversion or multiplayer game. Its many courses, shortcuts and secret areas — along with the multiple stunts to master — ensure that this game is a beautiful escape.
Infogrames' "Splashdown" can be played on the PlayStation 2 or Xbox. Rated "E" for everyone, it's $29.99 for the PS2 version and $49.99 for Xbox.
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