Sunday, January 17th, 2010 at
6:57 am
Ski & Shoot Review
Ski and Shoot is NOT your typical ‘run and gun’ game; it requires steady nerves, skill, good judgment, quick reactions, and patience. I’m halfway through the 24 event Pro season and just beat my chief rival by 3 seconds by conserving just enough Stamina for a sprint to the finish line.
Ski and Shoot is an addicting, fast paced simulation of the Biathalon, a sport combining cross country skiing and target shooting. An event consists of a cross country ‘leg’, 5 rifle shots at targets, a second cross country leg, another 5 rifle shots, and a final cross country leg to the finish line. A penalty lap is required for each missed shot (each miss adds about 10 seconds to the total time).
Like real biathalons, slower skiers can beat faster skiers by being better shots. Biathaletes have different skiing and shooting skills; so each event has frequent changes in leaders as hill climbing, sprinting, gliding, timing of moves, and shooting all come into play. As the game progresses, you customize your character by deciding what to practice; not only do you get better, but your character builds skill, stamina, and power.
Adding to the excitement are the different types of races. Mass Starts have all skiers starting at the same time; there’s much jostling for position. Sprints have skiers start a few seconds about; you’re racing the clock. Pursuits have skiers start in finishing order of an earlier Sprint; you’re trying to catch and pass the leader.
The mechanics of skiing are handled well although a bit confusing at first. You have to steer while managing your Stamina and Power. You apply Power by moving the WiiMote and Nunchuck back and forth at different speeds to adjust to the terrain. Too much Power drains Stamina, but you have to drain some Stamina to win. Just the skiing is a constant adjustment of Power, technique (sprint, glide, or ski), and steering. I steer with the Balance Board although you can steer with just the WiiMote.
Shooting requires aiming, of course, and steadying your aim by holding your breath (A button). If you have low Stamina, your aim wavers. My sequence is: aim close to a target, hold breath, make final adjustment, pull trigger, and reload (Z button); repeat 5 times and get moving.
Each event in the game lasts about 10 minutes. There are three ‘leagues’, and you have to win a league before advancing to the next league. The amateur seasons are about 9 races plus the 4 yearly championship races. There’s a lot of racing, but you need the practice to advance.
Ski & Shoot Feature
Ski & Shoot Overview
Ski & shoot is an arcade tactical 3d simulation of one of the most popular winter sports. Compete against otherskiers to tracks that wind through wonderful wintery landscapes under the shadow of snow-capped mountains. Tuck to increase your spee d in the steep sections of the course and hold your breath
Ski & Shoot Specifications
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jan 17, 2010 06:57:15
