How My Brother Taught Me to Surf (Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer video game review)
Neal Miyake
spoon would make a good breakfast rather than a good quiver. To top it off,
he has poor eyesight and wouldn't be able to see oncoming waves without his
glasses. But recently, Keith taught me how to surf...
...video-surf, that is.
Keith is a video game whiz. He has Nintendo, Playstation, and Xbox games
galore. Keith even competed in a national Nintendo championship, placing in
the top 20.
So when he came over to my place during the Christmas holiday, he jumped all
over my Sony Playstation 2 console. Especially the new video game I got for
Christmas--Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer
(http://www.activisiono2.com/slater/index.html).
The game is actually really cool. I actually have a small library of surf
video games, including Surfing H3O
(http://www.rockstargames.com/surfingh3o/) and Transworld Surf
(http://www.transworldgames.com/surf/). But none come close to Activision's
new waveriding game.
Unlike the others, the Kelly Slater game is much easier to learn the basics.
The graphics are quite realistic (splashing water is very hard to render
accurately) and the surf spots are surprisingly similar to the waves they
are supposed to be emulating (except for the Miyasaki wave
pool--http://www.hisurfadvisory.com/temp/miyazaki_macca.jpg--which is flat
out wrong).
Anyway, before my brother came over, I fancied myself as pretty decent at
the game, riding the waves the way a surfer might, focusing on positioning
and carving. But when my brother got on it, the way he played was truly
eye-opening for me.
Keith applied his understanding of the underlying "formula" of video games.
He gained points to pass certain levels, learned joystick/button combos that
made the cyber-surfers perform impossible aerial maneuvers, and found boards
that maximized wave scoring potential.
In short, he shredded! Keith jumped the pier at Sebastian's, "Darkslided"
at Mavericks, and even Alley-ooped at Pipeline. He unlocked many secret man
euvers in the few short hours he played the game.
Admittedly, his surfing style left much to be desired. The funniest was the
kooky, "open-faced maneuvers" that he performed which got him to a certain
power level so that he could then perform more advanced maneuvers. It was
like he was doing "The Twist" on his surfboard (not unlike the way I surf on
a shortboard probably). But by doing it this way, he was able to progress
quickly, if not elegantly.
I was flabbergasted at his abilities. But then again, I should have known
better. He's a gamester through and through. Whether it's controlling
Pacman or Rayman or Andy Irons, Keith's got game.
As for me, well this is my mini-review and personal observations of Kelly
Slater's Pro Surfer:
--The preview video of some surf spots interleaves wrong spots (the whole
Miyazaki pool is actually a Waveloch standing wave, maybe the one in
Norway).
--There is way too much focus on aerial tricks to score points. Not
surprising though since the game programming was probably at least partially
based on Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series, also by Activision.
--Tube rides are pretty righteous, although I tend to look at the balance
meter rather than just enjoy the visuals (of course, that's what instant
replay is for).
--The vibrating control pad is unsettling at first (again, I don't play
games too often).
--Bodyboarders and windsurfers and floating tourists are used as target
practice to score points (the Pipe bodyboarder looks suspiciously like Mike
Stewart).
--The characteristics of the waves are very accurate to what I'd imagine the
real spot would be like. For instance, Pipe is very steep, has a shoreline
somewhat reminiscent of Ehukai, and has a flat but craggy reef bottom, just
like the real McCoy.
--For me, a regularfoot, using a character that was goofyfoot felt weird. I
also felt uncomfortable performing with the Rochelle Ballard character, but
that's just me.
Finally, would you believe that the game actually helped me surf better?
After playing my first session (rented it from Blockbuster a while back), I
went out to small Backdoor and charged on my longboard. I kept thinking, "I
just did an ollie-540 at Trestles--I can handle a head-high closeout." It
was quite amusing, but at the same time, the confidence boost was real.
(http://www.hisurfadvisory.com/sesh/new4/images/429_4.jpg)
Hey, maybe I can coax my brother into the lineup at Pipeline, now that he's
got the cyber version wired. Then again, maybe not.
Aloha from Virtual Paradise,
sponge
www.hisurfadvisory.com
My cover shot at Sebastian:
http://www.hisurfadvisory.com/stuff/images/ksps_1.jpg
My barrel at Pipeline:
http://www.hisurfadvisory.com/stuff/images/ksps_2.jpg
Neal Miyake
> My brother Keith does not care for the ocean. To him a fish, an egg and a
> spoon would make a good breakfast rather than a good quiver. To top it
off,
> he has poor eyesight and wouldn't be able to see oncoming waves without
his
> glasses. But recently, Keith taught me how to surf...
>
Keith sparkles... well, at least when he cyber-surfs.
http://www.hisurfadvisory.com/stuff/images/ksps_3.jpg
sponge
tdsurf
wrote:
>-Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer
>(http://www.activisiono2.com/slater/index.html).
>
>The game is actually really cool. I actually have a small library of surf
>video games, including Surfing H3O
>(http://www.rockstargames.com/surfingh3o/) and Transworld Surf
>(http://www.transworldgames.com/surf/). But none come close to Activision's
>new waveriding game.
>
>Aloha from Virtual Paradise,
>sponge
Neal,
Thanks for the review. Im thinking of going out and picking it up
today for my boy. He's been pretty sik.
Looking at the websites, the three games appear to have similar
graphics. No? But if you've already put in the time to compare, then
KS it is.
td
Surfworx Photography
Cool story, did'nt intend to read it all, but I did. I'm still getting my
head around the skatey Kelly version, but it is really good. I've had the
Sunny Garcia one about 12 months, its quite good too.
Derrick
"Neal Miyake" <spo...@iav.com> wrote in message
news:h6aV9.110632$B31.29...@twister.socal.rr.com...
Neal Miyake
> "Neal Miyake" <spo...@iav.com> wrote:
> >-Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer
> >(http://www.activisiono2.com/slater/index.html).
> >
> >The game is actually really cool. I actually have a small library of
surf
> >video games, including Surfing H3O
> >(http://www.rockstargames.com/surfingh3o/) and Transworld Surf
> >(http://www.transworldgames.com/surf/). But none come close to
Activision's
> >new waveriding game.
> Thanks for the review. Im thinking of going out and picking it up
> today for my boy. He's been pretty sik.
Hope he gets better soon.
> Looking at the websites, the three games appear to have similar
> graphics. No? But if you've already put in the time to compare, then
> KS it is.
The version of "H3O" I have is for Playstation One. I actually forget how
good/bad the graphics are, but I vividly remember being very frustrated by
the controls. Just not intuitive and natural. The "Transworld" game is a
lot better. But still a far cry from KSPS.
Never tried the Sunny Garcia game. Maybe if I get a used version one day.
But like I said, I don't play very much at all.
sponge
Neal Miyake
sponge
Tom Keener
wrote:
> I also felt uncomfortable performing with the Rochelle Ballard character, but
>that's just me.
umm, ah, nope. not going there. _never mind._
Tom Keener
email me if you want my email address
pitboss
the time being and get desparate, real desparate - although I did just spend
2 wks in CRica so okay for now).
I've managed to win it with most characters (did I say desparate? plus it
was my only game for a long time). Having completely played it out I really
enjoy doing a few things that you might find fun:
1) Backdoor big sections in front of you with your special meter in the gold
zone. Don't pull back to get the tube/balance view but perform a special
face move deep in the pit and watch the whole ride from in front. You can
do a sweet Hang 10 from way deep in the barrel and make the tube. Plus the
view is spectacular doing it this way.
2) Carry a lot of speed into a rentry on a hollow wave. Hit B twice to snap
it quick on the rail and redirect. Surf out of the deep tube by maintaining
your line but use the Y (slide) button to do 360's and 180's in the barrel
or surf backwards for a bit - avoid the lip or going over the falls. The
dynamics of each wave are different so it takes some time to wire each spot.
Balance and suck off the reef also play a part.
3) Do huge snaps and break the fins loose right under the lip at Pipe.
Bottom turn right under the lip and drive hard, then snap back straight down
(X,X), repeat or if it gets to close use (BB) or grab your rail (B). You
take some nasty hammers but very enjoyable power surfing and more realistic
fun than ariel 1000 degree turns (it's possible but I've only pulled them a
few times with the right board, wave, maxed character stats).
4) You can take off in the barrel but it's real hard and you need specific
positioning which is fairly rare. You get extra points for it too.
5) When you do something really cool at Pipeline it says "Put down the
Pipe". Cute.
CF
Mike Sullivan
Neal Miyake wrote:
> My brother Keith does not care for the ocean. To him a fish, an egg and a
> spoon would make a good breakfast rather than a good quiver. To top it off,
> he has poor eyesight and wouldn't be able to see oncoming waves without his
> glasses. But recently, Keith taught me how to surf...
>
> ...video-surf, that is.
I been trying to figure this out, Neal.
Are you throwing your hat in the ring for 2003 honors???? :^)
Your surf stories and pics are all top notch, and I read them all
with envy. However, it's the video game post that gets all the
responses.
This is AS after all.
Mike
Neal Miyake
> Neal Miyake wrote:
>
> > My brother Keith does not care for the ocean. To him a fish, an egg and
a
> > spoon would make a good breakfast rather than a good quiver. To top it
off,
> > he has poor eyesight and wouldn't be able to see oncoming waves without
his
> > glasses. But recently, Keith taught me how to surf...
> >
> > ...video-surf, that is.
>
> I been trying to figure this out, Neal.
>
> Are you throwing your hat in the ring for 2003 honors???? :^)
AKOTY03? Of course! Doesn't everyone aspire to be the top dog? ;-)
> Your surf stories and pics are all top notch, and I read them all
> with envy. However, it's the video game post that gets all the
> responses.
>
> This is AS after all.
Funny how that works out. Such is this newsgroup.
sponge
Neal Miyake
> On Wed, 15 Jan 2003 09:46:53 GMT, "Neal Miyake" <spo...@iav.com>
> wrote:
>
> > I also felt uncomfortable performing with the Rochelle Ballard
character, but
> >that's just me.
>
> umm, ah, nope. not going there. _never mind._
Don't you love those double entendres? ;-)
Btw, Rochelle doesn't look like that. The real Roach is much stubbier and
not as statuesque.
sponge
Neal Miyake
One thing I didn't mention is that my brother favored using the arrow keys
vice the joystick. Made doing the combo sequences easier to do (<-- <-- X,
or something like that). For me, the fluidity of using the joystick could
not be beaten.
What do you use?
sponge
@lex
"Neal Miyake" <spo...@iav.com> a écrit dans le message de news:
u4QV9.118360$B31.32...@twister.socal.rr.com...
> "Mike Sullivan" <su...@forsythe.stanford.edu> wrote:
> > Neal Miyake wrote:
> >
> > > My brother Keith does not care for the ocean. To him a fish, an egg
and
> a
> > > spoon would make a good breakfast rather than a good quiver. To top
it
> off,
> > > he has poor eyesight and wouldn't be able to see oncoming waves
without
> his
> > > glasses. But recently, Keith taught me how to surf...
> > >
> > > ...video-surf, that is.
> >
> > I been trying to figure this out, Neal.
> >
> > Are you throwing your hat in the ring for 2003 honors???? :^)
>
> AKOTY03? Of course! Doesn't everyone aspire to be the top dog? ;-)
BTW Neal, have you sent out the "kook!" sticker to Alvin yet?
(he might need more than once, think about sending a pack)
@lex
Mike Sullivan
"@lex" wrote:
Beware invoking the god of 'Kook stickers in the Mail'
They are more powerful than beer can gods.
Mike
@lex
"Mike Sullivan" <su...@forsythe.stanford.edu> a écrit dans le message de
news: 3E281A0B...@forsythe.stanford.edu...
> Beware invoking the god of 'Kook stickers in the Mail'
>
> They are more powerful than beer can gods.
I have been praying for my Mail god recently... No news yet, but I am
faithful and confident.
@lex
pitboss
doing the same thing control wise. No real arrow keys for me.
1) I totally prefer the analog stick for regular surfing since it's fluid
and 360 degree directional. Much more natural.
2) For complex moves or if a blow something a few times, I'll switch to the
other pad where I can orient up, down, left, right with much more accuracy
for combos. This is where the arrow keys could really help out too.
The real trick to the game is keeping your special meter maxed and stringing
together big airs with perfect landings. Throw in some tube riding and
tricks when your special meter starts to decline more rapidly. I've gotten
over 1.2 million at Mundaka. One you get it down it's relatively simple but
the system encourages you to mix up the tricks as well as air, tube, and
face areas.
I played the hell out of this game. Soundtrack is good and I still enjoy a
session on some nights before bed. Low mental requirement and cool graphics
and music.
CF
Neal Miyake
> BTW Neal, have you sent out the "kook!" sticker to Alvin yet?
> (he might need more than once, think about sending a pack)
No! Forgot about it. Alvin, if you want to be a good sport, I'd be happy
to send it to you. What's your snail mail address?
sponge
Neal Miyake
> Yellow Bamboo Association
> Sacred River Retret
> Sungai Suci Bungalow
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> Selemadeg
> Tabanan, Bali
This may sound silly, but I'd rather send it with his approval. From the
start, I said that I'd send it to the winner only if they were a good sport
about it. Not sure how this guy is going to take it. Anyway, I don't want
to be the victim of the wrath of Balinese black magic. :-)
sponge
superfly®
> This may sound silly,
No it doesn't sound silly, it's sounds gutless.
> but I'd rather send it with his approval. From the
> start, I said that I'd send it to the winner only if they were a good
sport
> about it. Not sure how this guy is going to take it. Anyway, I don't
want
> to be the victim of the wrath of Balinese black magic. :-)
You already are.