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TRICKSTYLE (DC)
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Publisher: Acclaim.
Developer: Criterion Games. Released: July 2000 (Europe). Genre: Racing; Extreme Sports. Other versions: PC. Posted 14th December 2022. By Shane Battams © 2022 |
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Trickstyle is one of those games that falls into the overlooked category, barely making an impact despite releasing close to the Dreamcast’s launch and failing to capitalise on the extreme sports craze of the time. Nevertheless, it would prove noteworthy for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it was Criterion Games’ debut console release, after making waves with several PC titles. Secondly, despite dividing critics at the time, Trickstyle is an enjoyable take on the racing genre with it’s fast paced hoverboarding action. While it wouldn’t prove the flashiest showcase of SEGA’s newest console and could have done with a bit more longevity, the adrenaline-pumping racing more than picks up the slack.
Trickstyle mixes racing, tricking and defensive mechanics into its hoverboard action. Players can select one of nine characters, each representing a home country and also specialising in certain fields: Racers gain a speed advantage, Bullies can knock around the other boarders and Stunt chaps specialise in tricks. The stat differences feel substantial, requiring experimentation to find your perfect playing style. There are also occasional Trick events, which break up the standard action rather well. As you race, you can also perform tricks that reward points and more can be unlocked by completing challenges. Some of these lend the player a great advantage, such as spins that extend your airtime. It somewhat resembles snowboarding games like SSX, but with enough wrinkles and proficiency, it stands apart from those titles.
Trickstyle mixes racing, tricking and defensive mechanics into its hoverboard action. Players can select one of nine characters, each representing a home country and also specialising in certain fields: Racers gain a speed advantage, Bullies can knock around the other boarders and Stunt chaps specialise in tricks. The stat differences feel substantial, requiring experimentation to find your perfect playing style. There are also occasional Trick events, which break up the standard action rather well. As you race, you can also perform tricks that reward points and more can be unlocked by completing challenges. Some of these lend the player a great advantage, such as spins that extend your airtime. It somewhat resembles snowboarding games like SSX, but with enough wrinkles and proficiency, it stands apart from those titles.
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TrickStyle exhibits the colourful, futuristic-fusion that many racers adopted around the turn of the millennium
The good news is that controlling Trickstyle’s hoverboards feels incredibly smooth, as while the floaty steering will take some getting used to, it feels natural once you grasp it. Whether it’s performing dangerous jumps, smashing through hazards or using speedluge to gain a quick boost, players should pick up on it quickly. The only sore spot when it comes to controls is Magnorails, which sometimes boil down to luck as to whether you’ll attach to them. There are a few other quibbles too, including the A.I. which often fails to put up much of a fight. While later races can see them banding back to overtake you, earlier races see you breezing past the competition. With a lack of difficulty options, you’re forced to stick with this relative ease, and though bailing mostly sees you getting up quickly, some events come with brutal instant-fail hazards, which can border on tedious.
The main crux of the game takes place across the UK, USA and Japan. Divided into 20 events, each track feels like a downhill slalom which mixes sharp turns, hazards such as oncoming traffic and risky gaps. The track design is generally fantastic, showcasing clever shortcuts and natural flow. The only shame is how brief events last, with most races running under the two minute mark. This makes Trickstyle quite short, though most will likely hit a wall with the final and gruelling race. There is also a selection of challenges available, which test your skills with come in handy during races. But these aren’t enough to help Trickstyle just barely escape the ten hour region. A two-player mode is present too, which proves a good deal of fun. It’s just a shame the game lacks any difficulty options, some alternate tracks and a few more modes.
The main crux of the game takes place across the UK, USA and Japan. Divided into 20 events, each track feels like a downhill slalom which mixes sharp turns, hazards such as oncoming traffic and risky gaps. The track design is generally fantastic, showcasing clever shortcuts and natural flow. The only shame is how brief events last, with most races running under the two minute mark. This makes Trickstyle quite short, though most will likely hit a wall with the final and gruelling race. There is also a selection of challenges available, which test your skills with come in handy during races. But these aren’t enough to help Trickstyle just barely escape the ten hour region. A two-player mode is present too, which proves a good deal of fun. It’s just a shame the game lacks any difficulty options, some alternate tracks and a few more modes.
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Trickstyle earns a lot of points for its aesthetics, but less so for technical prowess. The game clearly was an early Dreamcast title, with characters and environments looking a touch blocky and lacking fluid animations, paling next to some of the titles which would come not long after. But the semi-futuristic setting, which includes a post-apocalyptic vision of London, a tropical spin on New York and the floating city of Japan above sea stand out as distinctive race settings, although they contrast with some very ‘nineties’ character designs. The sound is good all round, with the best part being a composed soundtrack from Kurtis Mantronik which contains very catchy beats. The sound clips from the cast of racers are cool at first, but become a touch repetitive as you play. The whooshing of the air, painful bails and environmental effects are good too.
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In the end, Trickstyle is a distinctive, enjoyable racer that suffers from being slightly anaemic. The racing is really enjoyable, mixing fast paced action with excellent track design. The sensation of riding a hoverboard feels spot on, taking some getting used to, but soon feeling natural. But while it plays decently, the races feel so quick and the lack of challenge means most could breeze through the game quickly. Though extra challenges and the two-player modes add a little more time, you still can’t help but want more. Nonetheless, Dreamcast owners and extreme sports fans should find Trickstyle a solid addition to their collection.
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VERDICT
"While TrickStyle wouldn’t prove the flashiest showcase of the Dreamcast and could have done with a bit more longevity, the adrenaline-pumping racing more than picks up the slack." OVERALL: 7/10 |