Virtual Stratton is an excellent freeware snowboarding game created to promote the town of Stratton in Vermont, USA. For once, the official blurb is not hyperbole: "Stratton provided the mountain and Slingshot provided its expertise in building video games to bring you the most dynamic way to view a mountain short of being there. Now instead of a static trail map or resort cam you can move around the real topography. Virtual Stratton is a moving map and trail guide, a quick fix mountain session, and tons of fun. Using state-of-the art 3D rendering technology from the Soul Ride game engine, you will experience visuals unlike anything you have seen before in a PC game. This is not a collection of linear tracks, this is an open-ended, virtual world which may be explored at your leisure, however you wish. On top of that it's a great game too. Drop in at your favorite runs, take a turn in the half-pipe or try out the boardercross run on your own terms. The Mountain is all yours. Virtual Stratton has six runs, which you can race down and pull off tricks to get the best scores. Check it out and see how great Stratton is both virtually and in reality." Whether or not you are a snowboarding fan, Virtual Stratton is a lot of fun to play and a great marvel to look at, especially if you have a 3D card. Definitely recommended, and be sure to check out Soul Ride, the commercial snowboarding game from Slingshot based on the same engine if you want more action. Two thumbs up! Reviewed by: Underdogs |