Surf video games pretty much died.
There was a heyday, back in the early 2000s, with titles like Kelly Slater’s Pro Surfer, Transworld Surf, and Sunny Garcia Surfing – games with simplistic graphics, unrealistic surfing, and waves that looked nothing like they do in real-life; yet the games were beloved by surfers (and presumably non-surfers) of the time.
Now, there’s a new surfing video game on the block, Barton Lynch’s Pro Surfing, which recently released on Xbox and PlayStation. So, how is it?
Well, it looks like the reviews are a bit mixed. For the most part, it sounds like Barton Lynch’s Pro Surfing will resonate with the core surfing crowd, and not so much with people who don’t surf – sorta like the slew of surf games from the early aughts.
Per Roundtable Co-op:
“I’m not going to lie, I had a hard time controlling my character in Barton Lynch Pro Surfing. But I think that was the point. This is not a game that wants to make players feel like surfing gods. It’s a surfing simulation game.
“That means if you know how to surf and the terminology, you’re going to have an easier time than someone like me. Someone that knows what surfing is in the same way I know about childbirth. Which is to say, I know nothing.
“If you’re a surfing fan this game is a must have. You’ll feel like you’re on the waves, salt water spraying your tanned face. But if all you know about surfing comes from Point Break, you’re probably in for a hard time.”
Per Way Too Many Games:
“Barton Lynch Pro Surfing satiates, at least momentarily, the need for a surfing game. It’s such a shame that it’s so utterly hideous to look at, because, for the most part, it is indeed a decent game, with intuitive controls and enough content to keep you busy for a while. If you really want to play a surfing game, this works out just fine. If you’re not particularly into the sport, I doubt there is anything in here that will grab your attention for too long, however.”
Barton Lynch Pro Surfing released on November 17th on Steam, Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
***
Don’t miss another headline from SURFER! Subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on Instagram, and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of surfing. We’re always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging surf-related videos to feature on our channels.
Whether you’re a professional surfer or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on SURFER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality surf videos.