Not rating this one because I don't have the patience for the learning curve. It certainly stands out from all the other Activision O2 games as its own thing. Even aside from the mechanics which are obviously gonna be different from skateboarding and BMX, the presentation is going in a pretty different direction as well ... but I'm not sure how much I like it. It's kind of documentary-style and very in-depth regarding Slater and the sport itself, but also pretty self-serious. Certainly seems authentic! ... but humorless. This hushed, reverent tone. Wave worship. Tales of being a young beach bum. It's like, look man, I'm just trying to play a video game, here.

Camera sucks and the 'levels' are just gonna be boring by definition, but the waves and the physics are quite impressive and you really feel like you're doing something cool when you pull off a few tricks or successfully get in the barrel. Getting good at this game probably feels awesome. If I'd had it as a kid I bet I would have been really into it.