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EA producer responds to SSX Blur's icy reception [update 1]
by JC Fletcher 
{ Apr 11th 2007 at 7:02PM }
SSX Blur didn't exactly receive unanimous approval. Many thought that the Wii controller was going to be a perfect fit for the trick-heavy snowboard series, and while some continued to think that after playing it, other reviewers were nonplussed.
EA Montreal's Eric Chartrand, who recently revealed Nintendo's Mii stinginess, responded to the cumulative critical "meh" his last game received, saying "The reaction to the game was very... how can I say that... interesting." He goes on to talk about wildly varying feelings about the effectiveness of the control scheme. He also suggested that the gaming press were disproportionately negative about the controls, and that the public enjoyed the game more than reviews would indicate.
What did you think about Blur? Did you find it "serviceable and enjoyable at times" or do you agree with Chartrand that it was a "damn fine game"?
[Update: fixed a broken link.]
SSX Blur: Analyzing the controls
by Zack Stern { Mar 31st 2007 at 8:00PM }
With the Wii's focus on controls, how does a franchise like SSX handle the transition? Snowboarding -- and Wii-only SSX Blur -- lacks a direct relation to the Wii's motion sensitivity, but the game still translates to hand movements. The steering mechanic, which relies on Nunchuk twists, fits well; it even seems like it had always been a part of SSX.
The tricks, however, are mixed; simple remote flicks feel like a gimmick, while drawing shapes for Ubertricks only works some of the time. Overall, the controls work well enough to keep me playing, but I sometimes stop in frustration after consecutive, unrecognized moves.
As far as graphics, sound, and other review standards, those all hold up in Blur, but aren't my focus in this analysis. (Look up scored reviews for other opinions.) Instead, I'll further explain how Blur translates a thumbstick-and-button game into a tilt-and-flail experience.
Gallery: SSX Blur
WRUP: backside air edition
by David Hinkle { Mar 2nd 2007 at 11:35AM }
Of course, with the big release of SSX: Blur hitting this week, many of you are undoubtedly busting the "mad phat trix" plentifully all over many a snowy mountain. Even knowing this, we're forced to ask that question we ask you every Friday: what are you playing? Will you be picking up the new title or are you planning on playing some of the Virtual Console games you might have downloaded this weekend? Or are you still chipping away at a different game?
Personally, we plan on picking up Sonic and the Secret Rings this weekend. We have yet to grab the game as we've been busy blogging lately and look forward to dashing around with the blue hedgehog.
Previous posts: What were you playing?
Metareview - SSX Blur
by James Ransom-Wiley { Feb 28th 2007 at 10:25PM }
Should there be reason for concern with another hodgepodge of reviews? IGN gives SSX Blur a thumbs-up, but warns it's for "hardcore" gamers only; 1UP disses, claiming SSX vets will be turned off. So which is it? Why have we been sifting through so many mixed reviews for Wii games?It's sorta like DS's first year, no? Everyone -- publishers, developers, and gamers -- are trying to figure out how it works; and what works. So then, aren't we a little concerned? Fearful that Wii is just a gimmick. The gems will come, but might we also be faced with a lotta "meh." SSX has been a reliable franchise, but Blur has so far scored the lowest average of any of the series' console iterations -- it's hard not to see a message in that.
EA hosts SSX party at Ice Hotel
by JC Fletcher { Feb 27th 2007 at 7:15PM }
To celebrate the release of SSX Blur, EA held an event at Quebec's Ice Hotel, which is a hotel made of ice. A hotel, where people sleep, where the walls are made of ice.
Journalists got a chance to play the new game and see new demos of Army of Two and a mysterious new property that is, unfortunately, under embargo. Junkie XL, who is responsible for Blur's soundtrack, provided a performance, presumably using non-ice-based instruments. The crowd was also treated to drinks at the ice bar (a bar made of ice), and, of course, warm chicken soup, which no doubt helped everyone keep warm. Ice, as you may have heard, is cold, and the event took place in a building made entirely of ice.
We don't know whether to be jealous of the people who were invited to this unusual locale, or happy that we spent the day in an environment habitable by humans. Luckily Blur is out in stores and we can enjoy it in our nice, temperate homes.
[Via QJ.net]
Metareview: SSX: Blur [update 1]
by David Hinkle { Feb 27th 2007 at 11:35AM }
Update: Finally, the reviews are rolling in. We've updated the post with plenty of more scores.With SSX: Blur being available at retailers today, the reviews are rolling in kind of late. As of right now, only two online outlets have reviewed the game, giving it very decent scores. Looks like many of you who were hoping for a game from a third-party with the same attention to detail that many of Nintendo's first-party titles receive may just be getting their wish. Many of the popular online outlets have yet to review the game, so keep in mind we'll be updating the post when their reviews go live.
Without further delay, let's check out what some of the critics had to say:
- Game Informer (85/100) says the controls aren't as precise as they would've liked them to be: "The one real problem I have with this game is that the ubertrick system doesn't work nearly as well as it should. The new controls do add something new to the series, but almost the entire time I pined for something more traditional."
- GameTrailers (84/100) finds the experience to be authentic: "It replicates the feeling of sliding down a mountain side with eerie precision and manages to make other control schemes feel dated. There's certainly plenty of opportunity for improvement with the sequel, but with a ton of content and even more fun, it's hard to go wrong with SSX Blur."
- GameDaily (80/100) says that eventhough the game lacks online play, it's still quite fun: "No online play hurts, and the two-player split screen mode offers limited enjoyment, but overall, EA successfully "blurs" the line between realism and fantasy, creating a great video game for all ages."
- 1UP (55/100) finds the game prevents you from really getting into the flow: "No matter how badly you want to get into the game, to find the flow...the game doesn't let you. And that's too bad, because it really does look great, the multiplayer mode is basic yet competent, and there are flashes of true SSX brilliance."
- GamePro (50/100) says it takes too long to figure out the game's controls: "Dedicated (read: sadistic) gamers willing to invest the time necessary to figure out the controls might get a kick out of this one, but the convoluted controls will turn off most players. The lesson here is clear: Wii developers need to start with a blank slate rather than graft old-school control schemes onto the Wii Remote because, as SSX Blur demonstrates, it just doesn't work."
Wii releases for the week of February 26th
by David Hinkle { Feb 26th 2007 at 11:15AM }
We'll be honest, it feels good to be able to make this post this week. This relief should last though, as from here on out we should all be enjoying a steady release of third-party titles over the next few months. This week's title is a little game from EA:
- SSX: Blur
SSX: Blur brings on the crystal clear screens
by David Hinkle { Feb 22nd 2007 at 5:05PM }
With the game's release a mere few days away (2/27 in case you didn't know), those of you dying to get out on the digital mountain and get some huge air are probably sitting at your computer, Googling away furious for some more news on the title, or perhaps some reviews. You've also probably got your snow boots on. It's OK, we understand (we rarely leave the house without our Wiimote in our pocket), and we humbly offer you some screens of the game.
As usual, we've embedded some of our favorites past the post break for your viewing convenience.
SSX Blur cast biographies
by David Hinkle { Feb 6th 2007 at 1:45PM }
IGN has put up some cast biographies for EA's upcoming Wii installment in the SSX franchise in SSX: Blur. Instead of drumming interest in the game, it instead reads like a list of riders up for the possibility of being endorsed by Mountain Dew. Still though, the game should be fun as all previous installments in the series have been, so we're looking forward to its release come later this month.
We've embedded the information into the post past the break in the hopes of saving you from IGN's
Coming soon to a Wii near you
by Alisha Karabinus { Jan 24th 2007 at 4:15PM }
So what makes a drought? When our cohorts at Joystiq posted the following -- Nintendo's official word on the upcoming sixteen games that will round out Q1, there was some discussion regarding whether a library of 40 titles constitutes a deluge or a drought. Here's the list, per Nintendo:- Feb. 14 Wii Play with Wii Remote
- Mar. 27 Disney's Meet the Robinsons
- Mar. Bust-A-Move Bash
- Mar. Prince of Persia Rival Swords
- Mar. TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
- Mar. Bionicle Heroes
- Mar. Blazing Angels Squadrons of WWII
- Q1 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07
- Q1 SSX Blur
- Q1 The Godfather Blackhand Edition
- Q1 Medal of Honor: Vanguard
- Q1 Sonic and the Secret Rings
Last, but not at all least, you may notice that we didn't include Mario Party 8, which is apparently slated for March 5. Since it wasn't on Nintendo's list, we left it out here, but that date is still listed on Nintendo's official site.
Joystiq hands-on: SSX Blur (Wii)
by Zack Stern { Jan 19th 2007 at 8:05AM }
The Wii Remote should be great for certain sports titles: tennis, golf, baseball, and other swinging games. But I've been skeptical about how the console will handle lower-body games, like soccer and snowboarding. Some recent play-time with Wii-only SSX Blur made me look forward to at least snowboarding; the controls felt more fluid than a gamepad. In my limited time with Blur, all of the movements -- even heart drawing and flicking up to jump -- added to the experience.
Coming to a Wii near you
by Alisha Karabinus { Jan 17th 2007 at 5:30PM }
IGN has a new feature up detailing the next Wii games you'll be playing (and one you might be playing right now). Looks like March will see the end of these empty, game-free weeks in favor of a barrage of titles. Profiled games include:Godfather: Blackhand Edition
Heatseeker
Prince of Persia: Rival Swords
SSX Blur
Sonic and the Secret Rings
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
Mario Party 8
TMNT
Bust-a-Move Bash!
Definitely a wide array of titles (though we skipped the more heavily discussed minigame collections), offering a little something for almost any gamer. Looking for a GTA-type experience? Check. Tricky snowboard action? Got you covered. High-flying fun? Landing at the end of March. The real question is -- which of these are high on your must-have lists?
Draw hearts in SSX: Blur
by David Hinkle { Jan 12th 2007 at 1:55PM }
A previous video on SSX: Blur might've shown us how one performs tricks, grabs and spins, but we had no idea we had to be drawing shapes as well. Turns out, in order to utilize the game's Uber Tricks, the player must use the Wiimote and nunchuk to draw complex shapes, including the pictured heart, as well as the letter S. These are the only documented Uber Tricks so far, however we're sure they're not the only ones to be included in the final game.
[Via Joystiq]
SSX Blur will force you to draw hearts
by James Ransom-Wiley { Jan 12th 2007 at 1:25AM }
Harmony. That's Wiimote and Nunchuk moving in tandem. Drawing hearts. Newsweek's N'Gai Croal has posted a visual guide of SSX Blur's Wii commands. Pictured above, an 'Uber Trick' is executed by drawing a heart-shape with the two controls. Not every action is as creative or involved, nor should all be, but the Wiiness certainly looks to put a spin on a series that could use some shaking up. Peep the photo album.
Switching, clicking, and tricking in SSX Blur
by Alisha Karabinus { Jan 8th 2007 at 5:55PM }
EA has released a new video featuring their upcoming Wii-exclusive SSX Blur, but this gameplay video isn't all about showing off the shinyz. Rather, the focus is on the franchise's new dedication to the Wii control scheme, and offers a nice (if not in depth) look at how some of the high-flying, snow-spraying acrobatics will be performed. Even better news -- in motion, the game seems to look better than it did in stills. See for yourself after the jump.
