Project Powder – Online Multiplayer Snowboarding Game

Spring started yesterday for some, and there’s hardly any snow left in the world, save in the polar and other extreme areas.

Of course, for those of you who don’t like quitting or giving up, who want to keep skiing or snowboarding even in the midst of summer, we still have fictional media.

Be it white movies, or snowborne games, there are several ways to dream off and get yourself on those white plains.

However, free ski or snowboarding games have been pretty scarce so far, as most developers focus on the ‘more popular’ sports like racing, football and tennis. Even those few that we had weren’t all that. Until now.

Project Powder

The year is 2146. We didn’t heed Al Gore’s warnings and got what was coming. Polar caps melted away completely and snow has become the stuff of legends.

Instead of deploying snow cannons – we’ve always been an ambitious bunch – Project Powder was started.

Scientists have explored and perfected the theory behind wormholes, and have built the Post Gate. This technology enables mankind to manipulate and deploy wormholes, and thus initiated the real space age.

A whole world has opened to man, entire systems of yet undiscovered and magical planets. Habitats that are still unaffected, with real snow to play in.

And thus the stuff of legends has once again become reality, as “uncharted stars with unspoiled lands have given us a second chance to play in the powder”.

Gameplay

Project Powder is a great fast-paced online multi-player snowboarding game, and most certainly the best free game of this genre that I’ve played so far.

You’re able to race and battle other players online on tons of different fun levels. Besides the normal white plains, you can also expect somewhat stranger space habitats, like enchanting green-hilled levels.

Show-off, where you try to top the other players with your trick scores, isn’t included in the list of available game modes. However, tricks are integrated in the general gameplay. They allow you to gain additional experience, fill up your boost meter, and go in ‘nitro mode’ while racing.

There are a multitude of different tricks available, and you’ll unlock more when progressing in the game. Luckily for trick-noobs like me, the site provides a nice and accessible cheat sheat on their website.

Game Types

The game types that are included are race-, battle- and coin mode.

All these modes can be taken on single handed, or work in a team.

Race Mode

The name says most of it; the first one accross the finnish line victors.

Doing tricks fills your boost meter, which will gain you more speed. Be short in your turns but grand in your jumps in this game mode.

Battle Mode

A more alternative take on the race mode. Your goal is still to reach the finnish line, but matters have become more complicated.

Available troughout the piste are offensive and defensive batches. Being quick isn’t enough anymore, as you have to take down your adversaries, or bite snow yourself. You see, entertainment gets a whole lot more exciting in the future.

Coin Mode

A more single-minded game mode. Instead of speed or strategy, accuracy is what dominates here.

Your goal is to grab as much coin as possible throughout the level. However, most often the coin is spread in a most peculiar way; if you thought this’d be mario on a board, think again.