(Rated E10+; Price: $19.99-$49.99) A Ubisoft presentation of a game developed
by Ubisoft Montreal and licensed by Sony Pictures Animation for the PC,
PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360. Reviewed on PlayStation 2.
Grommets will be stoked to hang 10 in
"Surf's Up." Ubisoft has developed a simple surfing game that
maintains enough spills and thrills to justify the purchase price for parents
after their children see the bigscreen version. Nevertheless, given the pic's
weak opening, low interest may translate into poor game sales.
"Surf's Up" game doesn't make much of an attempt to mimic the
film's mockumentary style, which gave it a clever adult edge. It's kid-focused
only, featuring an arcade-style surfing competition that takes place at various
spots around the movie's Pen Gu Island.
Cody Maverick (Shia LaBeouf) is the default penguin surfer, and there is an
optional practice mode where gamers have a chance to get a feel for the
different tricks. The goal then is to win the competition and along the way
accumulate points to unlock other characters, surfboards, levels and extras.
Ability to mix up characters and customize boards in the championship mode
is a nice touch, because every penguin (and Chicken Joe) has his or her own
unique surfing style along with strengths and weaknesses that match a certain
board or beach.
Multiplayer option is a nice surprise, as so many movie-licensed games are
for one player only. Not only does it make the game more of a social
experience, but it also extends the game's life after the single-player
competition is over. It's a shame, however, that the multiplayer option doesn't
include the ability to compete online.
Standard graphics won't blow anybody out of the water. Sound effects
are adequate and are generally drowned out by the 10 licensed music tracks
consisting of pop-punk tinged songs. Pic's voice actors all do solid voice work
in the game, however, including a special cheer that can be used to celebrate
completing an advanced trick.
Sometimes surfing is enough. The videogame "Surf's Up" satisfies
with the basics -- simple gameplay, spectacular scenery, a melodically breezy
soundtrack and a diversity of characters to choose from. This game will have
younger players feeling those good vibrations.
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