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Crossboard 7
Here we are again for the next Kinect
instalment in Crossboard 7, a snowboarding game for this awesome new
technology on the 360. Throwing away all controllers, Crossboard 7
requires the player to move their body in order to control their gaming
avatar in a variety of impressively created "winter" wonderlands.
With six
different gameplay modes, Crossboard 7 is still targeting the casual
and younger gamer market but for some reason, I actually enjoyed playing
this title as I moved side to side and backwards and forward to interact
in this virtual environment.
Interestingly enough,
the menu system of this Kinect game is actually better than most out
there but it still takes a little time getting use to. In order to play
this game properly, you need to setup your Kinect to ensure that
everything has been correctly configured because if you don't, the game
will give you some grief.
The controls of the game which is your body is
relatively quite easy to do. In order to speed up, you need to lean
forward and by leaning back, it will slow your snow boarder down. By
moving to the left or the right with your body, this will move your
board in that direction. You are also required to do some tricks by
jumping and spinning. All in all, it works with the Kinect system.
The most complicated
aspect of Crossboard 7 are the tricks which are a little fiddle some to
say the least. The accuracy of the trick system is a little lacking but
with some persistence, you can work out the best way to do tricks as
opposed to jumping around like an idiot. The game also features some
local multiplayer which was quite fun and you can even use your XBox
Avatar. It's also cool that in two player, you can unlock additional
tricks and boards in this mode as well.
Graphically, Crossboard 7 is a good looking game on the 360 with cartoon
inspired graphics that look good in FULL HD. The characters are well
animated and the gaming backgrounds look quite decent and detailed. Add
in some special effects, lighting and weather and Crossboard 7 is one of
the better Kinect games. There's also a "cool" extreme sports soundtrack
plus an over the top commentary which suits the title for all dudes and
dudettes. After playing the game, it shows you a collection of photos
from you playing the game... rather embarrassing but kind of cool.
Conclusion
In the end, Crossboard 7 is a relatively basic Kinect game but it does
showcase this technology. At times, it showcases it well, at other
times, it's a little lacking. I've been fortunate to play all the Kinect
titles and this strange game that reminds me of Banjo Kazooie
has grown on me and I can really see myself playing this in the future
again. The gameplay is good enough for most gamers not to complain too
much and the two player mode is a blast!
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