Line Rider Freestyle (Nintendo DS) - Review by Andrew

Introduction

The DS has certainly allowed gamers to flex their more creative side although the actual editing of games has generally only been possible on the PC and home computers. Now though, console owners can create new tracks with Race Driver and even characters with Drawn to Life and the DSi is likely to open this up even more with its inbuilt camera and microphone. Line Rider has a slightly different history: created as a flash game by a Slovenian University student the game became an instant hit worldwide and like N+ it was only a matter of time before it made its way to the DS but has it made it intact?

Gameplay

As with most games, you'll want to head for the Story Mode first as not only is it more interesting but it also features an in-built tutorial which takes you though the basics. Your role is a type of creative god who has the ability to manipulate the snow-covered mountains, changing the speed and paths of unsuspecting sledgers and hopefully guiding them to safety. Simply getting them from "A to B" isn't enough though; you also have to pick up Targets and Tokens before passing the finish line. This may seem incredibly simple because it is (in theory anyway) but actually perfecting your line's speed and curve as well as picking up the Tokens will have you tearing your hair out, You'll also trash hundred of sledges before you are even close to solving this.

Once you've got to grips with the basics it's time to step up a level with the Puzzle Mode which allows you to design your own levels and share them with other users. This gives you a blank canvas to work with and you really can let your imagination run wild. The only condition is that they can actually be completed so you have to test them before making them available, meaning you can't stump another gamer indefinitely on the other side of the world. Freestyle Mode is similar and you will find the more time you spend creating your own puzzles and levels the easier the Story Mode becomes.

Controls

The only thing you'll actually use your D-pad here for is scrolling around the screen.

Graphics

Given that you actually draw the majority of these tracks yourself, you can imagine just how simple the main game graphics are and the only colors you'll see are the various shades of blue on the snow or the brown and grey of rocks. To liven things up the developers have included some cartoon FMV with two sledges battling it out in a plot that wouldn't be out of place in your average Road Runner short.

Sound

While the actual in-game audio is almost non-existent you are treated to a handful of techno-based tracks which can be changed at any time thanks to the jukebox which has been placed neatly in the main menu.

Dual screen

Line Rider is one game where the stylus, rather than simply being an add-on or gimmick, is actually central to the game's mechanics. Simply put: you draw the path and each level will feature a numbers of shaded green areas where you are allowed to manipulate the track however you wish. There are three basic types of line: the self-explanatory Normal, Acceleration and Deceleration, all of which must be combined to allow you and your sled to reach the finish line. Once you have drawn your lines it's a case of trial and error but you can repeatedly edit and manipulate them until you get it just right. The only downside is that the actual editing system is not without its problems because regardless of how much time you spend with it, it will still create unforeseen problems and on a regular basis will refuse to do want you want it to.

Final comments

While Line Rider is advertised as a game you'll actually spend much more time actually designing your tracks as opposed to 'playing' them and the result is that this is more of a creative exercise than anything approaching an arcade game. That's not to say that spending time with this title is a bit dull; the simple interface and presentation masks what is a hugely enjoyable and highly original puzzler. Even once you've completed the story mode the gameplay opportunities are seemingly endless and the ability to create your own track and swap them with others is an essential part of the whole package. If you are starting to think that all DS games are getting a bit samey then this is well worth a look.

Pro: Simple, Engaging Gameplay, Original Idea, Ability to Design and Swap your Own Levels.
Con: Very Bland Interface and Visuals. Fiddly Editing Tools
Final score: 7

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