Wakeboarding Unleashed Featuring Shaun Murray

"You think extreme sport games are dead. This game proves that they aren't."

First off this game totally caught me off guard. A game created by Shaba is actually good? Well it is, and I'm thoroughly impressed with it. So let's get right on with the review, shall we.

Story [10] Well, there really isn't a story, unless you count becoming the greatest and most respected wakeboarder in the world a story. Wait, that is a semi - story. The good part? No cheesy cut scenes or dialogue to push along the story

Controls [10] The game truly shines here. Even more so the the actual gameplay. For those of you that haven't played an extreme sports game [all five of you], here's how it works. You can jump using the X button, especially off a wake created by your boat. Then you can perform tricks by pressing the circle or Square. Circle doe grab tricks, and Square does flip tricks. If you press either of these with a combination of a D- Pad button, you utterly have tons of tricks at your disposal. You can also use triangle to grind a rail or a ledge.

Gameplay [8] More of the same goals as in other extreme sports games. But wait, there is a catch. As you're being pulled along the water by your boat, you can let go of the rope that's tuggin you along the water. This adds an immersive amount of strategy unlike any ever seen in another extreme sports game. Can't find birds perched on a tree cause your holding the rope. Learn when to press L1 to let go of the rope, so you can scare those birds. You'll need to learn how to perform this technique accurately in order to advance in the game.

As for goals there are three types. Groove, Challenge, and gaps.

Groove- the usual. get X amount of points, grind X amount of feet, etc..

Challenge- Now these are unique, and usually have nothing to do with getting points or so on. Be a driving a boat, hitting targets suspended in the air, of helping banjo players, these are always fresh.

Gaps- I probably don't even need to explain these, but I will anyway. these usually involve jumping from specific points in the level, or grinding a specific rail. The good part of this is that once you find a gap, you get a gap key which will unlock a video showing you how to get that gap. Sometimes it isn't helpful, but hey, at least you have an idea, right?

Graphics [10] Wow!! that's all I can say. the water looks beautiful. You're see the reflections of certain objects shining in the water. The graphics are incredibly clear, with almost no slowdown at all. the detail in each level is so stunning, you'd think it's really in front of you.

replay value [6]Really, the only reason to keep playing is to unlock hidden videos, as you can get some of the hidden characters with just one player.

Pros-
graphics are stunning
Original strategy involved
lots of levels
a whole lot of gaps

Cons-
a little lacking in replay value
not enough characters.

rent or buy- If you like extreme sports games, I'd say buy. the replay value is little so it mostly depends on what you like to unlock, as I rated it on that. if you don't like these types of games, this won't change you're mind.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/10/03, Updated 07/10/03