Skateboarding had all but left with the previous generation of gaming. There were titles like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, and who could forget EA’s Skate? The internet obviously hasn’t, as people still choose to comment with stuff like, “#Skate4, #Skate4, #Skate4,” on just about any social media post from Electronic Arts. Okay, who am I kidding, I do that. Anyways, the development team behind Session took the reins to become a beacon of light for those seeking a modern skateboarding sim. The team is now ready for another big development step, with a large update coming to the title in Steam’s Early Access.
Kick flippin’ it with friends
When you look back on skateboarding games of yesteryear, a standout feature was the ability to play with another person. Even IRL, when you wanted to see just how good a person was, you’d challenge them to a game of S.K.A.T.E. Meaning, one person would do a trick, such as a heelflip, and the challenger would attempt to land it.
If a player was unsuccessful in their attempt, a letter would be assigned to them. Whoever managed to obtain all five letters first, spelling out the word S-K-A-T-E, was the loser. Well, with Steam’s Remote Play Together, you too can challenge a friend to play a gentleman’s match of S.K.A.T.E. in Session.
Other features in the update include a new system for tricks and skater controls. It seems this may be geared towards an arcade style of play, promising something to make it easier to just “pick up and play.” Grinds, too, will see tweaks, providing for “smoother” slides down benches, ledges, and rails. The update makes it seem as though going from different types of architecture will be easier after the update.
Sights and city sounds
For any skateboarding title, there’s a sense of authenticity when it comes to the music and locations seen in-game. It looks like more staples to the New York City skate scene will return with “the return of the original creā-ture park with new obstacles and spots representative of the NYC skate scene.” Session will also add a new level feature, giving players the choice of an exact translation of the Brooklyn Banks area, or one that is “more customized.” To assist one in not losing their vibe, 30 new tracks and artists have also been added. Personally, I was a fan of the lo-fi, British hip-hop.
Session is currently available for PC via Steam Early Access for $19.99 USD. Make sure to check out our thoughts on the game in our Early Access preview.
