Graphically, the models themselves look pretty good and animate well enough, but at times they do look a tad grainy. These blocky and dampened textures extend into the environments as well, with passé locales you have seen again and again - how many quarter pipes, ramps and empty swimming pools can you stomach over the last 7 years? Where are the Amazonian rainforests or Moon Landing scenes at? Isn’t it time to get a little crazy? However, there are some neat features such as when you focus in and get a cool Matrix-esque slow-mo blur effect. The frame rates are also pretty solid to boot, but I am still surprised to see such lackluster graphics from this late-gen PS2 title.
Thankfully, the audio department really picks up the slack for the visuals. Over 50 tracks from a host of licensed artists keep us humming along as we pull off sick tricks and maneuvers. Some of the artists include Primus, Sonic Youth, The Ramones, Kool and the Gang (my girlfriend’s favorite song), Slayer, Wolfmother, Kasabian and Bad Religion. Of course, if one of these bands doesn’t suit your fancy, you can customize the playlist to your every desire. Along with the music, various skaters and other celebrities also lend their voices to the game – even Jason Lee (a former pro himself) from “My Name is Earl” makes a cameo! Rounding out this department are the excellent sound effects as well, from all the groans of biting it hard, to the now classic sound of board grinding rail, or touching off a ramp.
