Barton Lynch Pro Surfing Review

Barton Lynch Pro Surfing is a simulation sports game that pits you against the world’s best surfer’s at the most exotic locations on the planet. The expansive world tour features an in-depth leader-board and sports commentary, or if you prefer to free surf, just cruise the massive locations instead. Cutting edge graphics meets hardcore physics & beautifully brutal waves. Pump control uses the wave’s power so you can surf faster and unlock more moves. More speed = more moves!

As with any sports simulation, Barton Lynch Pro Surfing requires both some memory to remember how to pull off tricks but also a lot of practice. While games like the Tony Hawk Pro Skater series is more arcade-y allowing anyone to pull off random tricks, surfing is a bit more complex to virtually master, let alone do basic stuff.

Given that your playground isn’t stationary, unlike a skate park, there are a few things to consider. In order to get yourself up on a wave, you need to pump by mashing RB to gain some speed until the meter is empty or you reach the wave. Once on the wave, this is where it gets tricky. Pressing B will allow you to stand up; pressing X or B will allow you to pull tricks within the wave.

Once at the top of your wave, pressing A will allow you to jump and perform grabs in mid-air, but you need to pay careful attention at your positioning versus the wave because it’s very easy to crash thus losing precious point. One of the toughest things to master in Barton Lynch Pro Surfing is tube riding. This is where, after standing up, you position yourself inside the wave and attempt performing tricks. You need to be able to keep control with the pump button and back on the left joystick.

You can even ride a personal watercraft at times; just to change the pace and breakneck pace of wave riding. The game is also packed with gameplay modes. You can conquer the World Surf Tour, try your luck at a few Challenges, ride around freely and mess about in Freesurf or do the tutorial… which is highly recommended; read mandatory.

The game looks decent as a whole. Barton Lynch Pro Surfing won’t push the current-gen consoles to their limits, but the visuals do the job. The water looks at best; we’ve seen better looking water over the years of gaming. The premise of the game is pretty straightforward, so there’s nothing really exceptional or that stands out. On the audio side of things, the soundtrack is a banger mixed of rock and punk/pop songs reflecting that Summer time vibe.

The game’s biggest problem is its steep learning curve. While I’d never expect a surfing sim to be as easy and straight forward as a new entry in the THPS series, this is quite nuts. This cannot be the time of game where you play for a few minutes at a time; it will require a good chunk of time and practice in order to master the controls and the game’s intricacies and let alone make a dent in the World Surf Tour mode.

Barton Lynch Pro Surfing is a breath of fresh air in the current lackluster extreme sport genre. Or the simulation sports genre. But it’s steep difficulty curve might scare off some players. However, players that will dedicate time and patience to this game will find a unique sport gem and a refreshing game in an all too familiar gaming space. Overall, it’s easy to recommend Barton Lynch Pro Surfing, but be warned; like the waves in-game, it might be tough to tame.