| I'd like to think I was a pretty fantastic snowboarder, | | | | As an alternative to the normal on piste game, a |
| but I know I'd be telling a lie. I was quite amazed I | | | | new off piste mountain range has been added to the |
| survived my previous holiday without braking my | | | | game. The game designers have really experimented, |
| neck; I certainly whacked my head enough times. | | | | making some very satisfying natural landscapes. The |
| Despite this, I enjoy boarding, but most of all I love | | | | texture of the snow has also been improved, with |
| the tranquility of the slopes. "Wii Family Ski and | | | | work done to simulate consistencies varying between |
| Snowboard" really encapsulates the spirit of a | | | | powder and sheer ice. Visually the snow looks great, |
| boarding holiday for me. | | | | but sometimes you feel like the effect of such |
| I confess, as much as I liked the first Wii Family Ski | | | | surfaces on the controls, has been reduced down to |
| game, I really didn't play it as much as I wanted. I | | | | allow easier "family" play. |
| found peace in the relaxing atmosphere, and was | | | | Character building is pretty good, with players being |
| impressed with the games use of the Balance Board, | | | | given the opportunity to use a pre existing Mii, or |
| but the utter lack of any feeling of achievement | | | | design a Family Ski avatar. You can use your new |
| disappointed me. I'd win a race, and nobody would | | | | unlocked gear to perfect your look, which is pretty |
| care. I'd collect 32 ski goggles in a single run, and | | | | satisfying if you like that sort of thing. |
| nobody would give a crap. Fortunately the latest | | | | Thankfully Namco Bandai have introduced some |
| version has rejuvenated my love for the (now) | | | | sense of an achievement system, by allowing players |
| series. | | | | access to new ski gear and clothing as they |
| The most obvious change in this release, is the | | | | complete sections of the game. I was pretty |
| addition of snowboarding. While playing with the | | | | satisfied when I unlocked myself a penguin suit, for |
| balance board, the player orientates the device length | | | | completing some of the off-piste challenges. This |
| ways towards the TV. Leaning forwards and back | | | | system could still do with some improvement, as the |
| simulates the effect of leaning on the back and front | | | | player has no clue what they need to do to unlock a |
| edge of the snowboard, and results in a turn. | | | | specific achievement, and even when you do |
| Additionally, various buttons on the remote and | | | | complete a task, you are unaware of your new |
| nun-chuck allow you to perform other moves, such | | | | items until you exit the game back to the main |
| as edging, and short turns. Jumping is done by lifting | | | | screen. |
| your weight off the board, without allowing your | | | | Overall I am pleased with them game, and suspect I |
| feet to actually leave the board. Turning both the | | | | will be playing it for a while. I feel a real desire to |
| remote and nunchuck 90 degrees onto their sides, | | | | explore the pistes extensively, finding some of the |
| puts you into a tucked stance, and increases your | | | | hidden items, and unlocking content. I'd be excited to |
| speed. I was a little disappointed that this couldn't | | | | see yet another sequel, hopefully which introduces |
| also be done by shifting your weight forwards on the | | | | some more flexible controls, and a better |
| board. Overall the controls were good, with or | | | | achievement system. |
| without use of the balance board. | | | | Overall 7/10. |