TransWorld Surf – PS2 – Review

Transworld Surf had made
something of a splash when it was first released for the Xbox, but now PS2
owners will get the chance to wax their surfboards and hit the biggest waves in
the most exotic locales seen in a surf game thus far.  The result might just be
one of the best surfing games available.

The game takes gamers
through three different playing modes: The Pro-Tour, Single Session and Free
Surf.  Free Surf is basically more of a self-tutorial, helping gamers
understanding the controls and how to perform tricks.  Single Session is a timed
event much like the Pro-Tour competitions, which have you choosing from thirteen
different pro surfers such as Shawn Barron or Tim Curran. There are also several
locations to compete in (and sometimes you can even choose what time of day to
surf).

Controlling the surfers
takes much practice but still the controls are far smoother than that of Sunny
Garcia Surfing or even the original Xbox version. Tricks such as airs, floaters
and grabs are easy to perform; yet the much difficult ones can be a bit of a
problem to execute. Luckily the instruction manual is thorough. And like the
Xbox version, there are plenty of extras to unlock such as better gear, extra
surfers and new locations. 

Then there’s the obvious
fact that there is no difficulty setting.  Part of the reason is that the game’s
controls are the first major hurdle to go through, then there’s the question of
the trick list.  Although the more basic tricks are easy to execute, the much
difficult ones require a few turns in the Free Surf mode.  During the heaviest
action–in Competition mode–the challenges that have to be met before moving on
to the next level or location are plentiful.  One such challenge, for instance,
has gamers attempting a set number of tricks or performing odd feats as freeing
dolphins from fish nets.

Although not a visual
achievement, the game does offer one of the most impressive looking wave effects
seen so far. The crashing waves look almost mesmerizing in certain levels and
look even better when you surf through a closing barrel.  There are also plenty
of eye-catching details, such as swooping seagulls and other paddling surfers
that add more that what could have been just an ordinary setting.

Still there isn’t much
more to the visuals and the most awkward part of the game’s graphics is the
actual surfer.  The surfers hardly look like the actual surf pro, but the most
upsetting part of this is the fact that they aren’t rendered with enough detail
to set them apart.  Also there are times when the surfer seems to be missing a
nose.

Like many sports titles
available, the game comes complete with quite a wide-ranging variety of songs
and even soundtracks.  The music is a collection of instrumental surf-inspired
tunes, hip-hop, progressive and even thrashing rock tunes of the Sum 41 kind.
And the best part is that gamers can change the soundtrack anytime during the
game. This goes well with the good sound effects that echo with the authentic
sounds of the waves and even things such as the Reef Girls that yell out things
such as “I don’t mind picking you up, cutie.”

Four multiplayer games (up
to four players can join in using the PS2 Multitap) are also available and they
are worthy features in their own right. King Of The Wave has gamers challenging
one another to see who can remain standing on a wave much longer.  Meanwhile
Free Surf and Competition offer the same things the single player option offers
with the exception that now you can add a friend. But the most interesting game
is the Shark Tag where a tagged player turns into a shark and will remain as
such until he “tags” another player.

Transworld Surf comes
close to being an excellent surfing title since all the right elements are
present and accounted for, however small annoyances in graphics and challenge
difficulties can become just a bit irritating.  Still, the game still offers
enough punch to keep surfing fans and sports lovers happy.

#Reviewer’s Scoring Details

Gameplay: 8.1
Luckily the basic controls in this
game are somewhat easy to master and there is nothing that can’t be learned with
just a few tries of the Free Surf play or the Single Session option.  The Pause
Menu can offer up the controls and a few tricks on the fly or gamers can read
through the instruction manual that goes into the more complicated tricks in
detail.

Basically the tricks range
from quick ollies to dangerous floaters and they can be executed fairly easy,
but performing the more difficult tricks require much patience and many tries.
There’s even a button that will call a Reef Girl (a bikini-clad girl riding a
Jet Ski) to lead you to the waves when you don’t feel like paddling out towards
them.

Graphics: 7.9
Without a doubt, Transworld Surf has
the best looking wave effects seen in a surfing game–or any PS2 title for that
matter–so far.  The crashing waves and curling barrels are mixed in with the
frothy foam as it crashes down on the surfer.  When far from a wave, the surfer
paddles on a rushing current that really is quite a spectacle to behold.

The surfers themselves are
rendered quite adequately, although they lack certain key details such as
expressions or sometimes even a nose.  There is much to look at in the game such
as bobbing buoys, other surfers and the occasional wild sea life (such as
dolphins or sharks) that add more detail into what could sometimes be a rather
plain-looking and familiar setting.

Sound: 9.5
What the game lacks visually it
makes up with superb sound quality.  An extensive collection of songs–and
soundtracks–can be found throughout the game and can be quickly changed in the
Pause Menu.  Aside from the usual Blink 182 styled tunes, there’s hip-hop and
progressive trance tunes (not to mention catchy surf tunes) thrown into the
mix.  All of this makes for an excellent soundtrack during play.

The sound effects are also
done quite nicely, with the sounds of the crashing surf the most noticeable
effect.  However, there are little things that can be also heard throughout the
game such as the clinking bells of the buoys, other surfers shouting out and the
angry seagulls you scare off the surface. There’s also fantastic introductory
information called out ESPN-style when you choose surfers and before the action
begins.

Difficulty: Medium
Despite the fact that there is no
difficulty settings, the game’s challenges can be a little too hard to complete
in some modes.  Certain modes require that the gamer complete a set of
challenges before the timer runs out (and it does run out rather quickly). The
goals are not impossible but can prove to be frustrating since gamers have to
start all over again if they fail even one challenge.

Concept: 7.8
Originally an Xbox title, Transworld
Surf actually plays much better on the PS2 even though it still incorporated all
of the same key elements.  Being able to choose from thirteen pro surfers such
as Shane Dorian or Rochelle Ballard with their own individual style, tricks and
even videotaped bios is always welcome.  And the fact that there are various
locales and time of day to surf through is also what sets this game apart.

The game also follows a
competition, which requires gamers to fulfill a certain challenge before they
are able to continue–an element in surf titles that have been seen before.
However, the difference is that the challenges themselves are quite unique: in
one you have to scare off seagulls or show off in front of the camera.

Multiplayer: 8.0
Thankfully the game added four
excellent multiplayer games (King Of The Wave, Free Surf, Competition and Shark
Tag) with an option to play with up to four players using the Multitap. The most
interesting–and really fun–multiplayer game is Shark Tag where gamers play an
elaborate game of tag.

Overall: 8.0
Although far from being the greatest
surfing title ever, Transworld Surf is by far the best one available.  Those
gamers looking for a surf game with a healthy dose of rocking tunes, decent
graphics and smooth controls to go with the great surfing action should
definitely purchase this one or at least rent it.