We Ski

We Ski is one of the few games where I've actually felt compelled to watch the replays. The little characters are just so adorable, especially when they crouch low to minimize wind resistance, especially when I've mix 'n matched the ultimate gear ensemble, or stuck them in the penguin suit.

Skiing the Day Away

You and up to three friends can hit the slopes casually or with an eye on the objective icons. The experience can be as relaxing or driven as you feel like, but sometimes it's tough to locate your next task, since you can access any of the 13 animal-themed courses at any time. The courses are all connected by ski lifts which you can ride absentmindedly or skip completely by warping with a click of the map, but you just have to continually explore to find the next Star Point opportunities.

Making the Grade

If you're just skiing around for fun (as opposed to competing in race/moguls/slalom and other events, or running rescue or delivery errands) you'll still be given a grade when you complete a course. Unfortunately the scoring system seems biased towards failure, since your overall score generally conforms to your lowest mark. You can get an S or S+ in time, balance, and speed, but still earn an overall D because you didn't turn enough (a common complaint.) Or sometimes you'll have a flawless run but get nailed for not pulling big enough tricks.

Not that it's hard to pull off tricks. The controls are fairly intuitive, and Ski School introduces you to every action you'll need. While it's awesome that third parties are getting in on the balance board, those controls require considerably more skill (and balance!) to get your score high enough, and your ankles get pretty sore in the process. I'd recommend sticking to turning your remote and nunchuck in the direction you want to ski. Rotating ninety degrees to crouch is really easy to remember even if you're not bending your knees and getting really into it; however, it was so hard to turn by tilting your body like the instructions recommend that I found myself cheating and holding the controllers in front of me.

Happy Happy

My favorite part of the game is the atmosphere of the Happy Ski Resort. Music coming over the loudspeakers is snatched from other Namco Bandai games like Katamari Damacy and Pacman, the lights at night are beautiful, and the whole place is populated with NPCs stretching, chilling, or skiing, themselves. Best of all, you can commemorate a fun afternoon with friends by calling a photo-op. Up to four characters can appear in each picture wearing their favorite gear in one of fifty poses. Watching the compiled slideshow enhances that warm fuzzy feeling that the entire We Ski experience gives, despite being a wintry game. I can't imagine playing it top to bottom, but as a discounted novelty to pop in every now and then, We Ski is a good time.

PROS: Comprehensive motion controls, balance board support, adorable photo album feature, casual co-op
CONS: Frustrating scoring system, menu system could be more streamlined

Comments [14]

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caffeinedisaster

I'm always skeptical to trying out these CUTESY games. I don't want to spend $50 and then find out I'm knee deep in shovelware.

tuvsworld93

i love wii ski its so chill. i love just cruzin around. when it comes to jmps though i suck XD

MysterioMP

THey should make a Wii Pussy, so I can fuck nintendo for taking all my money....that fuckin whore!

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