REVIEW: SKATER XL

The absence of skateboarding has been felt throughout the evolution of the eight-generation console wave. A dedicated fanbase still longs for the Tony Hawk and Skate franchises that Activision offered. The release of Pro Skater in 2015 was the final nail in the coffin. It received a mixed reception. This was the final trick the genre could offer. For a time, it looked like that.

The first signs of a revival were evident as you move to November 2017. Project Session (now called Session ) was demonstrated to the public in a demonstration that highlighted a similar concept to EA BlackBox's beloved franchise. All it took to ignite the fire was some fuel. Enter SKATERXL.

Skate XL is a new generation of skateboarding. It was developed by Easy Day Studios, an experienced team that has had experience in other areas than game creation. After a few years of early access, the 1.0 version is now available. How does it compare to the previous builds, despite the delays and long waits. It's complicated.

Skate XL is a simulation or experience that aims to make SKATER more real. Your preference between arcade-style and realism will play a major role in deciding your purchase. Once the game starts, you will quickly get used to the unique control system. The game's greatest challenge is its analog sticks, which represent a single foot on the board. You can combine them to create combos or lines.

A chain can be a great way to feel rewarded. There's no kickflip or tre-flip that is exactly the same. The physics-reliant rotations mean that you could enter the same input 100 different times. Each version will be unique. Skateboarding's addictive pull to repetition is based on a feeling of precision and a desire for perfection. Although I am not an expert in the sport, my very limited experience has taught me to pull that same trick repeatedly so that I can keep improving my skills.

It has a charm that keeps me coming back to it every time I play the game. Easy Day captures the feeling of success in terms of progress... to a certain extent. You'll soon become familiar with the basics of the game after a few hours. It could use a little more variety than the basics and be stronger in flatland than vert. The Mega Ramp level of vert skating feels strange. Your acceleration when you spin your body with the back triggers feels slow and out-of-synchron with your overall momentum. It feels disconnected to feel the pull of gravity when you return to the ground.

However, this is not a bad thing. If you enjoy a more intense approach to skating, this may be a good choice. You will find yourself performing near impossible feats. This entertainment comes with a price: the reward. In my first hour of gameplay, I found it harder to land street lines with grinds and gaps than the more difficult task of traversing huge vert layouts.

This is a result of an imbalance which, again, will depend on your personal preference. The ultimate goal is not rooted in career paths or traditional missions. SKATERXL has many challenges that require players to perform a variety of tricks at different locations on each map. You might notice that the game forces you to take a regular stance while you are playing them. This is a strange choice for someone who likes to skate in a goofy stance (which you can choose from the menu). This odd choice highlights the amazing implementation of reversed tricks options. Regular stance skating is not mapped to the controls.

Except for the acknowledgment that you have completed these challenges, there is no reward in-game in the form characters, unlockables or currency. You can use the simulation to your advantage by exploring the maps and choosing your lines to complete to make the most of the game. You can use the teleporting feature with the session marker to determine which combination will look great when viewed back through the game's limited replay editor. Is it possible to land on a ledge and into a grind, with complex varial flips along the way? It's up to you to decide.

It is clear that polish has been primarily used in the gameplay (even though my character does not have any facial expressions), rather than the environment players will explore. Easy Day High School, which offers a variety of flatland spots, is the best level on the disc. Many of the spots here and at the Los Angeles level were inspired by famous skaters. These levels are missing something though.

The world of Skate XL feels empty. There are no pedestrians, vehicles or multiplayer visible in the streets. Skateboarding has been a community sport since its inception and has always welcomed newcomers. It is disappointing that basic multiplayer functionality does not reflect this same ethos, but it is understandable given the small-scale developer.

Along with the lackluster atmosphere, there is a severe lack of content available in the game to customize the features. The game is missing a few basic features such as hair and skin tones, along with a few clothing items (including brands from real life), that make it unique for everyone who picks up the game. You may find the menu design a bit clunky and unfinished when you change into your clothing options. The game's soundtrack is not available with a tracklist or track skip option. Scrolling through the clothing causes frustration and doesn't allow you to go back out to change the category. It takes too long to get back to the top of your list, before you can change it or return to the main menu.

It is in its current state.SKATER XLIsn't that the?SkateKilling entry to the genre, as the slick video marketing campaign will have you believe. There is.MassiveThere is potential here, and it feels like more time would have been beneficial. It has the foundations of a solid skate simulation. The core gameplay mechanic offers moments of great satisfaction. It doesn't matter if you are a skater or not.SKATER XLCan be a solid skaterGameIt remains to be seen if more features and content are added in the future.