Games based on the Olympics always make for a great casual game to play with a group of friends. The one characteristic of an Olympic game is also the fact that it never feels all that polished and the visuals always seem to leave players wanting a little more. Will Vancouver 2010 have the ability to freeze all these preconceived notions? We’re about to find out.
Based on the Olympic Games to be held later this year in Vancouver, Vancouver 2010 will be taking players to the snowy mountains and ice arenas of Canada, in order to battle it out for gold in the Winter Olympics.
From the get go, players will have a choice of 14 events which include: downhill skiing, snowboard cross, skeleton and ice skating. Simply choose your poison and jump into an Olympic event with ease. One can also opt to stack all the events together and get a large ice-cold portion of event after event. The one strange downfall is that you cannot participate in an ‘Olympic Games’ type scenario with a ceremony and try to become the Olympic Champ.
When it comes to gameplay, Vancouver 2010 has a fair amount on offer for the casual gamer inside of everyone. Each event has an entertaining characteristic, some are sequenced button combinations, while others use the more conventional control scheme, but on the whole they all feel just right. An impressive gameplay feature that can be noticed is the sense of speed that has been incorporated into the game. While skiing down a slope or screaming down the tunnel in bob-sleighing, players will be hit with an inertia like feeling which is created by the sheer speed of the player. This makes for some intense and enjoyable gameplay. Be warned: the AI is hard and that gold won’t be as easy as you think.
There is also a challenge mode to be found where players will have to complete certain challenges in the events in order to unlock the next challenge. This is a great addition and is a nice way to chase some trophies/achievements.
Vancouver 2010 is a great looking game and boasts some solid visuals. Character modeling is well executed and highly detailed. This is clearly noticed in the facial features and animations of the competitors. The character movement is incredibly smooth and organic which adds some great realism to the game. Our one gripe was that most females tend to have short ‘I like other women’ kind of hair, which doesn’t affect the game in any way, but is an undeniable observation. The environment is also pleasing on the eye with some great lighting and textures found in the snow and the surroundings.
Jump online and you’ll be able to join or host an Olympic event with other fellow Olympians, or battle up to four players on one system which results in some incredibly competitive events, coupled with some screams and celebrations to go with the action.
Overall, Vancouver 2010 is a highly enjoyable title. It manages to bring loads of fun for those looking for a great casual gaming experience; be it alone or with a bunch of friends. Don’t expect a hardcore mind-blowing title, but rather a solid sports sim to take your mind away from sunny South Africa.
[starreviewmulti id=2 tpl=20]
