Freak Out: Extreme Freeride
{{Short description|2007 video game}}
{{Distinguish|text=the 2001 PS2 game Freak Out (AKA Stretch Panic in the USA)}}
{{Infobox video game
| image = Freakoutextremefreeride.jpg
| image_size = 230px
| caption = PC version boxart
| developer = ColdWood Interactive
| publisher = JoWooD Productions
| producer = Michael Kairat{{cite video game|title=FreakOut: Extreme Freeride|developer=ColdWood Interactive|date=August 2007 |platform=PC|scene=Credits|quote=Producer: Michael Kairat.}}
| platforms = PS2, Windows, PSP
| released = {{vgrelease|FRA|February 9, 2007 (PC){{Cite web |title=Freak Out : Extreme Freeride |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/jeux/pc/00016973-freak-out-extreme-freeride.htm |access-date=August 2, 2024 |website=Jeuxvideo.com |archive-date=August 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802120151/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/jeux/pc/00016973-freak-out-extreme-freeride.htm |url-status=live }}|FRA|March 23, 2007 (PS2){{Cite web |title=Freak Out : Extreme Freeride |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/jeux/playstation-2-ps2/00016972-freak-out-extreme-freeride.htm |access-date=August 2, 2024 |website=Jeuxvideo.com}}|UK|March 30, 2007{{Cite news |date=March 30, 2007|title=What's New? (30th March, 2007) |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/whats-new-30th-march-2007-article |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=Eurogamer|language=en}}|WW|August 28, 2007 (PC){{Cite web |last=Contributor |first=GamesIndustry International |date=August 28, 2007 |title=TotalGaming.net Adds Dreamcatcher Games, Freak Out: Extreme Freeride's North American Debut |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/totalgamingnet-adds-dreamcatcher-games-freak-out-extreme-freerides-north-american-debut |access-date=January 8, 2024 |website=GamesIndustry |language=en |archive-date=January 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108192859/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/totalgamingnet-adds-dreamcatcher-games-freak-out-extreme-freerides-north-american-debut |url-status=live }}}}
| genre = Sports
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
FreakOut: Extreme Freeride is a sports video game developed by Swedish studio ColdWood Interactive and published by JoWooD Productions. The player controls one of six playable skiers from a third-person perspective using a combination of buttons to jump and perform tricks, and has to complete challenges to unlock new mountains and equipment.
FreakOut was announced on August 16, 2006, and released on PlayStation 2, Windows and PlayStation Portable in 2007,{{cite web|date=August 16, 2006|url=http://www.gamershell.com/news_32129.html|title=Gamers Hell: Freak Out: Extreme Freeride announced|publisher=Gamers Hell}} before being made available worldwide via TotalGaming.net on August 28, 2007, and via Steam on January 13, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/304540|title=FreakOut: Extreme Freeride|work=Steam|publisher=Valve|accessdate=January 13, 2015|archive-date=January 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119005154/http://store.steampowered.com/app/304540/|url-status=live}} It received generally favorable reviews from critics.
Gameplay
In FreakOut: Extreme Freeride, the player can control six different playable skiers. Each skier has his own "special tricks." The player must complete challenges to unlock new mountains and equipment. While winning challenges, the player also increases his tricks, balance, and endurance skills.{{cite web|url=http://impulsedriven.com/frk|title=Xfire: Freak Out: Extreme Freeride|publisher=Xfire|access-date=2012-01-29|archive-date=2012-02-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215213347/http://www.impulsedriven.com/frk|url-status=live}}
= Multiplayer =
There are two different multi-player modes: "Splitscreen" and "Network." In the "Splitscreen" mode (which is not included in the PSP version), two players can race, either with a keyboard or joypad. However, in the "Network" mode, up to eight players can play together online. An online high score was also included, until the official FreakOut: Extreme Freeride website was taken down.
Players may initially choose from six skiing characters: three male and three female. Each character is of different age, comes from a different country and has their unique special tricks.
Reception
Reviews for non-PC platforms were less favorable. In a review of the PSP version Dom Turner of AceGamez criticised the game for its "thin" polish and numerous flaws, noting that it "could have been a lot of fun," but that the game felt rushed and that "the flaws ruin the fun completely."{{cite web |url=http://www.acegamez.co.uk/reviews_psp/Freak_Out_Extreme_Freeride_PSP.htm |title=Freak Out: Extreme Freeride Sony PSP Video Game Review by AceGamez |website=www.acegamez.co.uk |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622185351/http://www.acegamez.co.uk/reviews_psp/Freak_Out_Extreme_Freeride_PSP.htm |archive-date=22 June 2008 |url-status=dead}} In a PS2 review, Romendil of JeuxVideo.com said that while the game is not "calamitous," it lacks any "hair-raising" sensations and that the gameplay is " classic and accessible", but "doesn't reach the ankles of games that inspired it, such as SXX."{{Cite web|url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00007525-freak-out-extreme-freeride-test.htm|title=Test du jeu Freak Out : Extreme Freeride sur PS2|date=3 April 2007|access-date=8 February 2015|archive-date=25 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225150445/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00007525-freak-out-extreme-freeride-test.htm|url-status=live}} However, both reviewers noted that the game's soundtrack was its strongest point.