Airblade
Encyclopedia
AirBlade is a futuristic extreme sports game
developed by Criterion Games
and published by Namco
in North America and SCEE in Europe, and is the spiritual successor to the Dreamcast game Trickstyle
. It was released on November 9, 2001 in Europe and January 28, 2002 in North America for the PlayStation 2
.
called the AirBlade when the GCP Corporation decided to shut down the project. A frustrated Oscar smuggled his invention home, but was tracked down and kidnapped
by his former boss. His roommate and keen skater
Ethan finds the AirBlade hidden in the apartment, and decides to use it with the help of Hacker
friend Kat to get Oscar back.
Upon completing a level the player is awarded a rank. This is based on the time taken to complete the level, how many trick points were earned, the largest successive combo and the number of falls. These ranks range from A-D (D being the worst rank possible to still pass the level), with an additional 'S' rank for extremely good performance. Any rank is sufficient to continue to the next level, but to unlock certain playable characters high ranks are needed.
claiming that the game was "a brilliant advertisement for the RenderWare
graphics engine". However, 1UP.com
and GameSpot
both criticized the brutal difficulty, mainly caused by the linearity of the challenges - if one task has not been achieved when the time runs out, the player is forced to restart the level and try them all again.
The short lifespan of the Story mode (6 levels) was also commented upon, as well as the weak story, but critics admitted that narrative was not the focus of the game. Overall, AirBlade was said to be fun yet frustrating, and worth a try for fans of skateboarding games looking for something new.
Sports game
A sports game is a computer or video game that simulates the practice of traditional sports. Most sports have been recreated with a game, including team sports, athletics and extreme sports. Some games emphasize actually playing the sport , whilst others emphasize strategy and organization...
developed by Criterion Games
Criterion Games
Criterion Games is a Guildford, England based British video game developer. It is best known for its work on the award-winning, multi-platform Burnout series, the PS2, Gamecube and Xbox first-person shooter Black.Criterion Software Ltd was created in 1993 to commercialise 3D...
and published by Namco
Namco
is a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
in North America and SCEE in Europe, and is the spiritual successor to the Dreamcast game Trickstyle
TrickStyle
TrickStyle is a video game released on September 9, 1999 for the Dreamcast and PC, developed by Criterion Games and published by Acclaim. The game is set in the future and based around the sport of Hoverboarding...
. It was released on November 9, 2001 in Europe and January 28, 2002 in North America for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
.
Story
Oscar had just perfected his prototype for a HoverboardHoverboard
A Hoverboard is a fictional hovering board used for personal transportation in the films Back to the Future Part II and Back to the Future Part III. Hoverboards resemble a skateboard without wheels. Through special effects the filmmakers depicted the boards hovering above the ground...
called the AirBlade when the GCP Corporation decided to shut down the project. A frustrated Oscar smuggled his invention home, but was tracked down and kidnapped
Kidnapping
In criminal law, kidnapping is the taking away or transportation of a person against that person's will, usually to hold the person in false imprisonment, a confinement without legal authority...
by his former boss. His roommate and keen skater
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
Ethan finds the AirBlade hidden in the apartment, and decides to use it with the help of Hacker
Hacker (computer security)
In computer security and everyday language, a hacker is someone who breaks into computers and computer networks. Hackers may be motivated by a multitude of reasons, including profit, protest, or because of the challenge...
friend Kat to get Oscar back.
Gameplay
The gameplay is very similar to the early Tony Hawk's videogames; Players have a limited time to complete all the challenges in a level (such as knocking out a number of Henchman or destroying searchlights), with small amounts of extra time awarded for each success. There is also an emphasis on tricks and combos, which fill up a Boost gauge allowing Ethan to move faster and jump higher.Upon completing a level the player is awarded a rank. This is based on the time taken to complete the level, how many trick points were earned, the largest successive combo and the number of falls. These ranks range from A-D (D being the worst rank possible to still pass the level), with an additional 'S' rank for extremely good performance. Any rank is sufficient to continue to the next level, but to unlock certain playable characters high ranks are needed.
Modes
Along with the single player game, the disc also included multiplayer options, similar to the first games in the Tony Hawk or Dave Mira series. Such modes were Score Attack and Party Score Attack modes. One additional mode unlike the other trick based simulators was Ribbon Tag. In Ribbon Tag, 2 players start on opposite ends of a map and must race to the center to obtain a small piece of caution tape. Once either player has the tape, the other player without the tape must recapture the tape. Holding the tape adds to your score every few seconds. The longer the tape is held though, the longer it gets. Players must employ what they have learned of the levels and skills learned in reaching higher ground to keep away from each other.Characters
- Ethan Palmer: The Player characterPlayer characterA player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...
. A CourierCourierA courier is a person or a company who delivers messages, packages, and mail. Couriers are distinguished from ordinary mail services by features such as speed, security, tracking, signature, specialization and individualization of express services, and swift delivery times, which are optional for...
and skilled skateboarder with a laid-back attitude, his fierce loyalty to his friends spurs the reluctant hero into action. Lives with Kat and Oscar. - Oscar Renton: A scientific prodigyChild prodigyA child prodigy is someone who, at an early age, masters one or more skills far beyond his or her level of maturity. One criterion for classifying prodigies is: a prodigy is a child, typically younger than 18 years old, who is performing at the level of a highly trained adult in a very demanding...
, he discovered how to generate limitless energy from gravitational fields, and invented the AirBlade. - Katherine "Kat" Blake: A Hacker and Political ActivistActivismActivism consists of intentional efforts to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. Activism can take a wide range of forms from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing...
, She communicates with Ethan by radio to guide him on his way. - Naomi Bryce: A SocialiteSocialiteA socialite is a person who participates in social activities and spends a significant amount of time entertaining and being entertained at fashionable upper-class events....
; a useful source of information due to her numerous contacts. - The Insider: Worked with Oscar in the Anti-Gravity Division. Feels that the GCPs explanation of Oscar's departure was suspect.
- Clayton: Head of GCPs security division, this thug does all the legwork and dirty work for Sawyer.
- J.J. Sawyer: The main antagonist, the evil Executive of GCP Corporation and Oscar's old boss. Wants to use the board to bring himself profit.
Reception
AirBlade received average to good reviews. Reviewers praised the tight controls and impressive graphics, with IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
claiming that the game was "a brilliant advertisement for the RenderWare
RenderWare
RenderWare is a computer and video game middleware from British games developer Criterion Software.-Overview:RenderWare is a 3D API and graphics rendering engine used in video games, Active Worlds, and some VRML browsers...
graphics engine". However, 1UP.com
1UP.com
1UP.com is a video game website owned by IGN Entertainment, a division of News Corporation. Previously, the site was owned by Ziff Davis before being sold to UGO Entertainment in 2009....
and GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
both criticized the brutal difficulty, mainly caused by the linearity of the challenges - if one task has not been achieved when the time runs out, the player is forced to restart the level and try them all again.
The short lifespan of the Story mode (6 levels) was also commented upon, as well as the weak story, but critics admitted that narrative was not the focus of the game. Overall, AirBlade was said to be fun yet frustrating, and worth a try for fans of skateboarding games looking for something new.
External links
- AirBlade at GameStats
- AirBlade at MetaCriticMetacriticMetacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...