Brought to you by Outspark, Project Powder is focused around the extreme winter’s sport known as snowboarding. Yet, unlike previous sports related games which have been released in past years, Project Powder implements common MMORPG features such as character customisation and even quests.

At the time of the closed beta test there were three characters to choose from. However, which one you pick has no bearing on the game itself. Characters can be customised through equipping items, clothing and other such things purchased from the item store. Here, you can also buy new boards or improve the one you are using through using various materials which can be won from races, given out as prizes for the completion of in-game tasks or simply as a random event.

From the waiting room players can select several modes of play including coin, which sees players collecting randomly generated coins, race and battle in which various power-ups can be picked up and used throughout the race.

The control method for the game is simple and doesn’t take very long to get use to. You steer your board by using the left and right arrow keys, up to accelerate and back to slow down. Double tapping forward will also thrust your character into boost mode. To jump, you simply hold down the space bar and release at the appropriate time. Jumping is one of the most important things to master in this game as it is the foundation to just about every trick and can also aid you in getting around those tight spots and avoiding obstacles.

The stunts in Project Powder are broken up into several tiers and placed along a tricktree. Essentially, the tricks your character can do are dependent on your level and weather you have completed the challenge on the tricktree in order to obtain that move. You gain experience from your races and from competing various tasks throughout the game and as your level increases so does the number of stunts available for you to learn. With that said, when it comes to performing the tricks themselves you are often required to hit several keys at once whilst turning or moving in a certain direction or at a specific angle. For anyone who has played similar sports games on gaming consoles, you will know exactly what I mean.

There are several tracks upon which players are able to race, each with their own challenges, obstacles, lengths and various hazards such as snow machines, sudden drop-offs and even penguins. Ramps and courses also vary and it is important to use to the right kind of trick for each situation so as to avoid falling behind.

The graphics in Project Powder are simple, yet effective and remind me of Nintendo’s 64-bit sports games such as snow board kidz. The soundtrack, on the other hand seems really well implemented with the actual game play and suites it well.

All in all Project Powder is a simple game which can be enjoyed at a casual rate as there is no need to spend hours grinding away to achieve the next level. In throwing away the repletion common in many MMORPGs this game instead focuses towards simple fun which can be enjoyed by players at just about any age. However, I’m sure this game will, of course, be much more popular with sport’s lovers than those who prefer more fantasy based games. Simple and causal is what this game is, good but not great and on that note I’m giving it a 6 out of 10.