SSX Blur

Über tricks are worth zillions of points, so you’ll need to master them if you want to win the game’s slope-style events, which are like downhill races with added stunts thrown in. However, the groove meter is as large, intrusive and un-turnoffable as it is because it also serves as a turbo gauge - you can sacrifice it at any time for a screen-blurring burst of ultra speed. And because it just drains away if you ride for a while without doing decent tricks, you might as well use it, either for a gigantic score or a fast time.

While the groove meter is a new and integral part of the SSX experience, the bulk of the game is actually taken from previous versions. It’s set over three peaks, which eventually combine to form one huge mountain that you can ride from top to bottom. Each peak has branching routes with multiple potential finishing points, and you find the actual races, challenges and tournaments by searching for them on a rambling freeride.

Some parts are clearly signposted, whereas others are harder to spot. Most things that you’ve found can be accessed by pausing the game and warping directly to them via the menu, but there’s always the possibility of missing out on something if you play it that way.

Freeride is also a great way to explore the courses at your own pace, because you travel through the same patches of mountainside used for all the main events. Plus, if you do decide to have a go at one of the mini challenges you encounter - which involve things like getting 55 seconds of air time in a two minute downhill run, or jumping through a certain number of hoops - you get placed back where you were afterwards, ready for some more exploration.

The most substantial challenges are long tournaments that mix and match different types of gameplay - slopestyle, race, slalom and big air. You have to complete these to unlock the best stuff, such as peaks two and three.