Aggressive Inline

By Tom Bramwell Published 22 September, 2002

Quick Take - another look at Z-Axis impressive skater, this time on the Cube

Xbox wins

'Aggressive Inline' Screenshot 04b

They bounce, don't you know?

Microsoft tells us that most ported games look best and offer the best extras on Xbox, and as far as Acclaim's Aggressive Inline goes, they're right on the money. AI on Xbox offered us an extra level and a custom soundtrack, but the Cube outing is the same old game as its PS2 sibling. However, that's not bad news for Cube owners. AI is, after all, a game we described as our vision of Tony Hawk 4, and the reasoning behind our argument was quite simple: no skater past or present has offered as much variety, progression or entertainment for your money. Building on the success of Tony Hawk, AI takes everyday locations (like streets and skate parks) and throws in more exotic options (like a movie set and a fairground), fits you with skates and a laundry list of tasks and sets you to work, borrowing most of Tony Hawk's control system in the process. Graphics are at about the same level as the PS2 version, where they were as good as Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, but also offered improved model animation and in particular, clothing animation, with a very clever physics engine which ludicrously also applies to the enormous breasts of the two female skaters. Fortunately for Z-Axis, it works to a large extent - it's very playable, easy to get into and easier than Tony Hawk to get good at. You'll be chaining tricks and grinds together with comparative ease, and the lack of a time limit is a blessing here also. AI introduces an adrenaline bar arrangement, and it's if you run out of juice that the party ends. Another boon is experience points, so you're always levelling up your trick capabilities. In fact, the only problem with the game is the Cube pad's shortcomings - a fiddly directional pad is almost unusable, and the analogue stick is too sensitive.

Conclusion

Aggressive Inline and I know one another inside out now, and I'm still enjoying it despite playing the same bits over and over. There's plenty of longevity in this one, and if you simply can't wait for the fourth Tony Hawk game, this is your best option. However, if you own a PS2 in addition to your Cube, I would recommend your seek out that version instead.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (9) Latest comment 8 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • otto #1 10 years ago

    Tnanks Tom. :)

    edit - er, thanks. Not tnanks.
    Edited by 1 at 22/09/02 @ 12:32

  • Khab #2 10 years ago

    Geez, otto, what'd YOU drink for breakfast?

  • otto #3 10 years ago

    Nothing. I tnink that was the problem. THINK.

  • otto #4 10 years ago

    So I just got this and I've been trying to find my way about it for the last hour or so. Hmmm. Firstly, when they give me a selection of music tracks to choose from, it would be nice if they weren't ALL diabolical grunge metal SHITE. Secondly, I thought I was getting it in English but they seem to have sent me some bizarre language version with stuff like 'pipe' and 'quarterpipe' and loads of other stuff that has NO F*CKING MEANING. I'm sorry, I'm old and I'm English, I have NO CLUE what a quarterpipe is, could they not have included a dictionary or something? Tutorial: now, cess your fakie up to the bowl and method over the pipe linking to a flopside twizzler. otto: WTF???

    Oh and sorry, those breasts are *not* realistic.

    *sighs in frustration*

  • Divebomb #5 10 years ago

    But it IS a cracking game, otto.

    You just gotta get used to it.

  • skalmanxl #6 10 years ago

    A quarterpipe is exactly what it sounds like. A quarter of a pipe. A pipe is round, a halfpipe is halfround...you take it from there.

  • hulahoops #7 10 years ago

    I always find that working what the hell the goals are on about is half the charm of extreme sports games.

  • hulahoops #8 10 years ago

    Off topic, but my copy of Silent Hill 2 from play for £18 arrived in good time last week. I've barely slept since - pyramid man haunts my dreams.

  • lost_soul #9 8 years ago

    So, so angry.

    Skating SUX, BIKES RULE!!!