xbox live indie game reviews

Sin(Surfing) is simply more addictive than a day-after-Easter Peeps sale for a sugar junkie. As you're hypnotized by the ebb and flow of the oscilloscope, the vibrant hues of the background and the rhythm of a mellow, “arcadey” soundtrack, you might almost think that you're watching a really sweet screen saver. Honestly, that's a fitting description. There isn't anything particularly complex about sin(Surfing)- from its Atari-era graphics to its 3-button control scheme- and that's the beauty of it.

As you fly over the crests and tear through the valleys of the waves, you only have two simple, mathematical tasks: 1) keep your surfer's board parallel to the surface of the waves to avoid crashing perilously through them; and 2) string together as many unique combinations of flips, backflips and handstands as possible to accumulate points and accelerate the pace of the action. While this may not seem like the makings of a game that might hold your attention past the length of the free demo, let me assure you, it is.

The great challenge (especially for anyone with a hint of math dorkiness) lies in the constant adaptation to the peaks and troughs of the oscilloscope as you soar through the air performing stunts that are graded by a mathematical expression that appears in the top left corner. This equation fuels your competitive fire as you tumble through the air, flailing and somersaulting with reckless abandon, to achieve new high scores and perform dubiously named tricks like the 'Double Isosceles Flux,' 'Triple Newtonian Devastator,' and 'Double Pythagorean Flip.'

If you dig the combo-chaining of the Tony Hawk series and appreciate the relative simplicity of the old Windows Ski Free action, you'll be shredding the waves of sin(Surfing) for hours on end.