Usually described as an extreme sport that promotes freedom of expression, skateboarding made its way to the small screens a few decades ago. With continuous technological advancements, enthusiasts were given more opportunities to virtually explore the life of aspiring skateboarders. From Activision's Tony Hawk franchise and EA's Skate series to independently developed Skater XL and the recently released OlliOlli World, each title tackles the joys and frustration surrounding this challenging sport differently. Among the rich library of skateboarding games is also Crea-ture Studios' upcoming Session: Skate Sim, an entry that aims to set itself apart when it leaves early access on September 22.

Like many indie games, Session began its journey as an alluring concept idea, appearing on Kickstarter nearly five years ago. After being successfully funded within three days of its debut, the developer poured its passion for skateboarding into Unreal Engine 4, working diligently to create the most authentic experience in the history of the genre. Although it took three long years for Crea-ture Studios and Nacon to round up user feedback and polish the gameplay, it was well worth the wait, as Session is set to release on all major platforms, excluding Nintendo Switch, this fall.

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For players accustomed to arcade-like scoring systems and run-of-the-mill control schemes in skateboarding games, Session's core gameplay and mechanics are likely to come as a surprise. Rather than placing emphasis on skaters' performances by stacking elusive numbers, the developer opted to focus on a genuine 1990s skateboarding lifestyle, which translates into a free-spirited approach that captures the essence of the sport almost impeccably. With nothing but trial and error to remind players of their progress, the game also innovates with its introduction of never-before-seen True Stance Stick controls.

Screenshot depicting a skater performing a BS 50-50 stall, as seen in Session: Skate Sim.

Instead of steering the board with the left stick and using various button combinations to deliver a particular stunt, Session urges players to control the skater's feet with both sticks while steering with rear trigger buttons. Since this type of control scheme aims to resemble real-life motions, successfully performing and landing a trick requires precise coordination, making it harder to master even the most basic techniques. Thanks to a steep learning curve, skateboarding in Session feels much more involved as opposed to in other titles. Nevertheless, the game leaves enough room for experimentation, allowing players to adjust their preferences and ultimately revert to legacy controls if they so desire.

In line with a novel take on board handling, Crea-ture Studios incorporated several other customization options. Even with a heavy focus on ultra-realistic physics, fans can expect to see subsections that will let them fully personalize the performance of their skater of choice. Modifying friction, wheel bite, push speed, the overall height of aerials and gravity alongside body rotation will help players discover what resonates with them the most. Dynamic and interchangeable day and night cycles is another feature that puts Session in a league of its own, further contributing to the game's favorable standing within the skating sim community.

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Screenshot depicting a custom skater performing a grind trick, as seen in Session: Skate Sim.

While the current number of professional skaters caps at nine, the full release of Session will include new additions to the roster. Its expansive open-world setting will take players to several iconic locations scattered across New York City and Philadelphia, conveniently accessible via public transport. If players are not fond of lifeless streets, in-game settings will allow them to populate select areas with pedestrians. Aside from the inclusion of recognizable brands, customizable avatars, clothing garments and decks, integrated editing tools are also available to players interested in immortalizing their achievements on video.

Crea-ture Studios' continuous efforts to introduce new and improved content with subsequent updates during early access have yielded a game that's not afraid to step outside its comfort zone, both in terms of story and design. Since Session's official release will likely precede any pertinent news or potential leaks surrounding Skate 4's development status, it will be interesting to see how its reception affects the direction of skateboarding games to come.