Customer Reviews

Surf's Up

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of the last video games I ever would have thought to buy. I usually stay away from video games based off kid's movies, especially ones I didn't like all that much. However, while shopping, my wife and I found ourselves playing the game on an xbox 360 demo unit. We had just gotten xbox 360 (as a wedding gift lol) and I told my wife, there are probably much better games 2 player games for us.

Well, I couldn't find much else I thought she'd like, so I bought her Surf's up. I thought it'd be fun for an hour and they we'd both get bored of some glitchy controls or lack of any fun. Surprisingly, the gameplay, while simple (afterall it's for little kids), is great. The controls are tight and the different characters have varied if not distinct feels to them. With a few different goals to reach on each level and over a dozen levels, we're still enjoying the game. The tricks and scoring are a little simple and too easy for most kids even. However, completing a course with a high score and all the gates gets pretty challenging (though you only have to do one or the other).

Besides having more levels, characters, modes, etc. The one thing that really could have made this game 5 stars would have been more complex tricks, ones that don't just require a button press or two and to give extra points for varying your tricks. Then they could raise the highest scoring goal and give the game a little more depth and challenge.

"Surf's Up" was a surprisingly great movie and my daughters and I loved it. Typically, games based on movies (especially animated features) can be really lame. Fortunately, this one is as terrific as the movie, and a whole lot of fun! It's easy enough that my 7 year old picked up most of the controls right away. But it's got enough challenges and unlockable characters, boards, environments etc. that we're still playing it and finding it exciting weeks after we first got it. I would say that this is not only how a movie game should be done, it's how all games should be done. A great game all around. "A+"

I bought this game so that my son would have something to play. What I didn't expect is how much I was going to enjoy it. Easy enough that a 5 year old can understand how to play and have fun with it without getting frustrated, and fun enough that his mom will keep playing after he goes to bed.

You really can't ask for much more.

Very entertaining and fun for kids about 8 to 12. My 9 year old grandson enjoys it tremendously.

Let me first start by saying I love this movie!! My fiance and I have enjoyed it many times, and cannot wait for our little boy to see it when he is old enough. If you do not want to read the detailed review below, I will try to give you a quick rundown.
This really is a quality video game. Addictive gameplay, fun challenges, family friendly, and surprisingly good replay value. I don't care if you are 7 years old, 60, or anywhere in-between I am sure you will enjoy this game.

Story (4/10):
The story of the game is pretty plain, virtually non existent. If you know the movie, don't expect to have a wonderful flowing storyline while playing this game. All of the character and location names ARE identical though, so you at least have that going for you.

Graphics (8/10):
Graphically this game looks decent. Random items and icons throughout the game look nice on the bright, deep blue water. The frame rate is good enough that there is no noticeable blurring, or choppy scenes or movements. Water and dry land surrounding are blended very well. This is definitely not top-notch graphics, but they are simple, clean, and well though out. Overall pleasing to the player and on-lookers.

Sound(7/10):
The game uses the actually actors from the animated film. It is a cool touch, but you only get to hear them in brief clips sporadically throughout.
Music is very fitting to the surfing genre, I would classify as indie rock.
Sound effects could have been better but it's a low-budget game so what do you expect? The waves don't really make good wave noises, and sounds for picking up items and completing challenges are just ok at best.

Control(10/10):
Control in the game is very easy. It is like a REALLY simplified version of Tony Hawk Pro Skater. You move with the left analog stick. L trigger is used to slide the top of a wave. A simple trick is done with the A button, advance tricks are done with the B button. Y button activates "Stoke Mode" which does a few special tricks for a short period of time. X allows for freestyle movement with the right analog stick. That's about it. Easy to pick up, and simple to master.

Gameplay (10/10):
This is what really hooked me on the game. No fancy graphics or mind-blowing sound. Just pure and simple fun gameplay. There is a good variety of locations to visit, each with there own separate tasks. You can replay/retry each one as many times as you would like.

There are some mini games that are fun but short. The game took me just a few easy days to complete. I am an experienced gamer though, so don't think your child will finish this in a day.

Final Thoughts:
All said and done I must admit I enjoyed playing this game. It's rather simple and doesn't have a whole lot to offer but as a kid's game it's very pleasing. I'm not even a kid and I was addicted to it for days. Even more hooked than some high budget, game of the year types. Kids will love it and parents will enjoy playing it with their kids (or on their own!). If the low scores of a couple categories up there are turning you away, please ignore it. I gave them a low score because that is how I feel. This most important one after all is the gameplay (10/10).

I recommend you buy this game now!

Well, that's about all I've got to say about Surf's Up

I got this for my little brother for his birthday this year - he turned 7 and he absolutely loved this game. Of course the thrill wore off after about 2-3 months but during that time he played it constantly!

My nephews (ages 9 and 5) got an Xbox 360 for Christmas so I was looking for some games to give them for Christmas. There's really not alot out there, particularly for the little ones. I found this one and it turned out to be perfect. Even the 5 year old could get going and play in just a couple of minutes. My sister in law highly approved as well..no violence, just cute, fun entertainment. The only downside was, its pretty limited as games go and the boys played thru and finished it within a few days I'm told.

I figured this would be a normal kids game that is short lived. I was wrong. I originally got it for my kids and found myself playing it more than they were. I made it through about half the locations before I figured out how to use the Stoke Tricks and wound up having to go back and repeat the levels. Although in completing more of the challenges for each location you wind up with more items unlocked. Plus you don't get penalized for repeating locations multiple times. So it's quite easy to repeat a level until you unlock or gather everything there is for that location. All in all I would say that this game does offer some challenge for adults and is a great game for kids who could use some work on their timing abilities. The only violence in this game would be running into rocks or getting knocked off your board by other surfers. Great game for the little ones who love the movie.

I bought it for my son and ended up hogging the controller. This is a great family game.

You can finish the game pretty fast and then your children wont play it much and go on to something else but the game is very child friendly and age appropriate.