Torino 2006 PS2 Review

When we think of winter sports games the multiplayer experience is normally the thing that we remember most. Forget about online modes, we’re talking traditional group gaming here, and it’s something that Torino 2006 couldn’t be without as this sort of game just isn’t as much fun if you are on your lonesome.

Naturally the game has tied in with the major sporting event that is the winter Olympics. Torino 2006 has a lot of things you’d expect to find in a game of its type, such as real life events and tons of snow, although it’s not the complete package that many would hope to find as some of the major winter events are missing. We have got to wonder if time constraints and pressure were the culprits, but a winter Olympic sports game without Snowboarding, Curling and Ice Hockey just doesn’t feel right.

Thankfully what the game does provide is pleasing enough, and mostly enjoyable in its execution. Alpine Skiing, Speed Skating, Bobsleigh, Biathlon, Luge, Cross-Country Skiing, Nordic combined and Ski Jumping are the eight different disciplines on offer, although some of the events feel very similar to one another it has to be said. The Bobsleigh and Luge have much to share, whilst the Nordic Combined is basically Ski Jumping and Cross-Country Skiing all over again. This however isn‘t the fault of the development team as the game is based on a factual sporting event. Although certainly more disciplines would have definitely worked in the games favour.

Alpine Skiing feels great, whether you are tackling the downhill, super-G, giant slalom or slalom events. Bobsleigh and Luge, as noted earlier are remarkably similar, but both do provide a great sense of speed as you bolt down the slope. Biathlon combines Cross-Country Skiing and Target Shooting, whilst Speed Skating and Ski Jumping are probably where the game is at its weakest.

Torino’s Cross-country Skiing and Biathlon events are about pushing your onscreen athlete to his or her limits, requiring you to balance out your stamina and to make sure that fatigue doesn’t start bothering your hopeful winter winner. Obviously pushing and pushing makes the weariness set in at a higher rate (displayed on a helpful circular meter), but if you can find a fine balance between powering ahead and easing off then that gold medal may become a gaming reality, if there is such a thing! The Speed Skating meanwhile entails finding a rhythm to keep your speed consistently high on the ice, whilst the Ski Jumping requires you to maintain a healthy balance before soaring into the sky at the bottom of the jump.

At its heart Torino 2006 is definitely continuing the tradition of such a game with multiplayer being the biggest strength . Up to four players can take part in as many events as desired, you can either go the full distance with all 15 events or settle for a customisable contest, allowing you to choose only the disciplines and number you fancy. Time to wrap yourself up then, it’s definitely worth it, especially if you have more than your console to play against.

8/10