The thought of a proper new SSXusually makes me float off intothe misty, unicorn-filled, soft-focus meadow in my head, and when I return, I'm always weeping slightly (albeit in a manly way). So am I excited? Well no. No, I'm not yet.
Because, you see, the domain names registered don't strictly state that this is a proper new SSX game. ssxfirstdescent.com, ssxdeadlydescent.com and variants of the two. That's what you've got. And while SSX games traditionally have subtitles rather than numbers (SSX3 is the only one with an actual digit), I'm going to hold off the tearful ebullience until I know for definite that this isn't just a crappy spin-off.
Why might it be a crappy spin-off? There is a precedent. Remember when the Wii came out, and EA jumped on the bandwagon by throwing a parped-out, motion -controlled remix into our ungrateful faces, in the form of the fairly repellent SSX Blur? Remember how PlayStation Move and Kinect are now out? Remember how both are claiming widespread support from big name publishers? I might be paranoid, buta new SSX in this climateseems a little suspicious, especially given the disinterest EA has giventhe seriesfor years. And even more especially given that various journalistic murmurs at recent events have mentioned SSX and Kinect in the same breath. Could just be Chinese whispers though.
My worries could be completely unfounded. I hope they are. No franchise update would make me happier than onethat couldme hurtling down the crisp, pristine slopes of Big Mountain in full 1080P, smooth new beats pumping into my giddy ears. The potential of this franchise just from a visual perspective is immense in this current generation. And given the lengthy wait from SSX On Tour 'til now, there's been plenty of time for EA's designers to regain the freshness that particular sequel-too-far lacked, as well as come up with a whole bunch of new ideas for the new generation. Hell, I'll even give themthesefor free.
The time is right for a new SSX. The series has had a healthy amount of time to recuperate. There's no competition right now. It would look incandescant on modern hardware. But please. Please give me a proper one, not just a branded-up excercise in waggle or flailing.
