Dark Summit invites you to explore and uncover the mystery atop Mt. Garrick through 45 mountain-based challenges and missions. This is the first action-adventure snowboarding video game with mission-based objectives. It offers a huge mountain to unlock and explore, from the bunny slopes to the summit, and an innovative reward system based on the player's status on the mountain. There are long, expansive runs to shred, and a physics-based board simulation for tight, responsive controls and realistic carving, shredding, and jibbing. High-tech equipment upgrades include boards, bindings, and gear. The multiplayer modes including competitions in mountain challenges, the half-pipe, and more. The six playable snowboarders in multiplayer mode each has his or her own physical characteristics, personality, and attitude.
Extreme sports just got a little more bizarre with
Dark Summit, which mixes snowboarding with espionage. And somehow, it works. The plot involves the efforts of boarder Naya as she investigates the wacky activities at the decidedly snowboarder-unfriendly Mt. Garrick. Naya must complete a long series of stunt-based missions in order to gain enough lift points to get to the top of the mountain. In general, the pacing isn't nearly as fast as that of snowboarding king
SSX Tricky, yet
Dark Summit's weird cast of characters and emphasis on combos and timing make for a deeper game.
Despite the cartoony physics, you'll find the controls very responsive and will soon be pulling off cool-looking stunts. The visuals won't raise new standards, but they are nicely detailed and move fast. Curiously, while you can earn points to buy snazzy clothing and boards, none of them affect actual gameplay. Also, the repetitive nature of trying to complete your goals will make speed-seeking snowboarders impatient. Still, while not quite as quick and stylish asSSX Tricky, Dark Summit delivers a strong just-one-more-try feel that challenges players while still being fun. For those with the skills and patience, Summitis an arcade snowboard ride of a slightly different kind. --Mark Brooks
