This game is the only 3D open world physics based two player surfing simulation video game on the market today. At it’s core it is a surfing game, and has elements of adventure role play, and sports with a competitive option.
The game starts off with the player on a small tropical island. They wander around and get information from players and surfers on how to surf, where to go, and what to do.
There is a surf break at the start of the game which is an easy beginner wave where the players can learn the controls and get better at surfing. There are two more surf breaks nearby that are more challenging but still easy, which can be discovered and surfed.
The surfing is physics based and the waves are constant, and the game gives you a simulation realistic experience of surfing, including paddling out, lining up with waves, paddling for and catching waves, and surfing. The wave pushes the surfer, the surfer must catch the wave, and players use the energy from the wave and from turning to ride the waves.
The surfing simulation aspects of the game are great for players to experience surfing, and give off a really cool surfing feeling as the player progresses at surfing, but the concept of surfing is difficult for beginners to grasp. Players often have no experience getting or catching waves. To make it easier, a far away camera view was added so a player can more easily orient themselves. A cheat button was added to move the player to a great spot to catch a wave, and other surfers were placed at the breaks to know where the waves are breaking and to give tips on how to surf and catch waves. The player still must paddle to get waves, duck dive to get through waves, and get in the right spot to catch a wave.
There is a wave score for each wave. A menu can be called to see the details of the wave score. It’s based on wave size, ride length, wave difficulty, and number of schwacks, which are how many hard turns you do at the top of the wave. Keep an eye on wave scores and you can see how well your score and surfing improves over time. Your accumulation of wave scores over time is your star score. Star scores are used on leader boards to post the best surfers of all time for all players to see.
The player can take a jet ski and look for new breaks. Waves are different at each break and part of the fun is finding new breaks and learning the breaks and figuring out the best way to surf them. There are set waves that break outside of the regular waves, fast waves where you have to pump for speed to keep up with them, steep waves, and waves of different sizes. Check with the surfers at each break for advice, comments, and information. Tricks such as 360’s, aerials, and tube rides, are possible but rely on the physics and wave shape in the game to achieve a trick.
It’s especially fun to play with a friend. Two players can play on a split screen, so they can learn to surf and explore together. They can surf at the same spot, even on the same wave together, or go separately and explore or surf or watch each other. They can also initiate a contest and try to beat each other in a contest where the players can set the time and amount of waves that count. It can be set up like a professional contest where wave scores are calculated and the best two waves during the time period count toward the final score.
As mentioned above there is a far away camera view for beginners. This view allows the player to see further to the sides and more of the wave, so it’s easier to play. As a player improves, there is a regular camera view and pro camera view. These views are more difficult to play but allow more precise surfing because you can see the wave better. The pro cam view is a nearly first person view, that really brings the player into the action. The camera follows the player at eye level and gives a view that matches the view seen by actual surfers.
The game can be played on PC or Mac and it’s being tested for Xbox. An Xbox controller can be used or keyboard and mouse. Two players can play on a split screen on a local computer. On Steam two players can connect as friends to play two player remotely.
The ultimate way to play is to have a two player contest competing against each other to get the best waves. Have both players using the pro cam, so that the players have the most realistic surfing view. Don’t use the “cheat” button. The players should paddle through waves back to the takeoff spots, and have to lineup and catch waves themselves. If you use a setup like this, then you will experience the most realistic surfing experience the game provides, and it’s really fun too.
