If you have a bit of deja vu playing Sled Storm, don't be alarmed.  Deja vu is a natural occurrence in Sled Storm.  Anyone who's played SSX will instantly notice the similarities between the two games.  I don't think I have enough space to list all of the similarities, so I'm only going to comment on the extremely obvious ones.

1) Gameplay.  If SSX is a racing game with an emphasis on performing tricks, then Sled Storm is SSX with an emphasis on racing.  Sled Storm features an SSX-style stunt system that requires the player to hold down certain buttons while flying through the air.  After performing a few tricks, you'll notice that your Storm Meter has begun to fill up.  The Storm Meter can be used to give yourself an extra boost of speed and ram other riders off the track.  The speed boost increases your power, which in return increases your ability to ram.

2) Track design.  The track design is a crucial part of any racing game, and I've got to give EA some credit for a job well done.  The track design and the arcade-like controls are what made Sled Storm fun to play.  Bu all of that may be overlooked by gamers who have played through SSX and SSX Tricky several times.  Good track design doesn't mean it's original -- it just means that it's good.  Some gamers want a new experience with each game they buy, not an upgrade or an extension of some kind.  Of course, I've heard no complaints about Super Smash Bros. Melee, a fighting game that plays no different from the original.  Loyal gamers are loyal for life (for the most part, anyway).  If you love SSX and cannot get enough of that gameplay style, then Sled Storm is almost definitely the game for you.  I personally like it a lot.  Most gamers probably will, but I'm not sure if that like will extend beyond a rental.

3) Graphics.  Sled Storm is a good-looking game and all, but most of the backgrounds, textures and particle effects were taken from SSX.  The courses have different eye-catching things to look at, but the base of them is pure SSX.  The only real difference is the lighting, which I must say is quite impressive.  When the sun was in view, I had trouble looking at the screen.  Other games have done this before, but I'm still amazed by the effect.  If you've ever been forced to drive with the sun in your face (who hasn't?), then you'll appreciate the effect even more.

4) The course markers.  This is a graphical similarity, and may be viewed as a welcome addition by SSX lovers.  But as I raced up and down the various courses, I couldn't help but get the feeling that I had been there before.  I guess that's because I have been there before in the form of SSX Tricky.  SSX Tricky was rehash of SSX, and Sled Storm is a rehash of SSX Tricky, so...

Sled Storm doesn't just look like SSX; it plays like SSX, too.  To an SSX lover, all of this must sound really good, but to everyone else, it probably sounds like a cheap attempt for a company to expand the success of one type of game.  It's not a cheap attempt, but it's not a unique experience either.  Sled Storm is not an acquired taste, but you are required to love SSX to get the most out of this game.  Sled Storm should also be enjoyable for anyone who has never played SSX before because the experience will be brand-new to them.

Regardless of your preference, I recommend Sled Storm as a weekend rental.  Why spend $50 on a game that can be completed in 48 hours?  If you're still wanting more after the games goes back, there's a shrink-wrapped copy of the game at Electronics Boutique with your name on it.

Gameplay: 7
Sled Storm is fun for a while.  The key words here are "fun for a while."  The replay value is decent before it is beaten, but drops considerably after the game is completed.

Graphics: 5 
SSX...er...Sled Storm's graphics are really good.  While nothing mind-blowing, Sled Storm's lighting effects are some of the best I have ever seen.

Sound: 5
I have good news and I have bad news about Sled Storm's sound.  The good news is that the music in Sled Storm is better than the music in SSX Tricky, Madden 2002 and Knockout Kings 2002.  The bad news is that "better" does not necessarily mean "good."  In this case, it doesn't mean good at all.

Difficulty: 6
Sled Storm is quite a bit easier than SSX and SSX Tricky since the main goal of the game is to cross the finish line first, whereas stunts played an integral part of the other games' success.

Concept: 6 
The concept behind Sled Storm was easy: develop a game that looks and plays like SSX.  That's not exactly a good concept, but on the bright side, EA achieved their goal.

Multiplayer: 7
The multiplayer mode is definitely one of the higher points of the game.  It's a shame that only two people can play simultaneously.

Overall: 7
Sled Storm isn't a great game, but it isn't horrible either.  As I said before, some gamers will enjoy it more than others. I suggest that you try it, but don't buy it unless you're certain that you will get your money's worth. Much like beauty, entertainment is in the eye of the beholder.