Radical Retrospective has had ten entries so far, and true to its name, they’ve all been focused on the past. We’ve gone as far back as the first known skateboarding game, hovered around the 32-bit era, and even checked out some Java games from the genre’s most enduring series.
Today, though, I want to look forward and discuss an upcoming skateboarding game that is shaping up to be not just a high point for the genre but an artistic statement in its own right. Today, I want to talk about Skate Story.
From the Steam page: “Ollie, kickflip, and grind your way through the ash and smoke of the Underworld as you take on a seemingly impossible quest. Skate fast to destroy demons and save other tortured souls on your journey from fragile beginner to a hardened skater.”
Folks, this game is the real deal. This is not a sponsored post; this is a full-throated endorsement of a game I will be spending a lot of time playing. This is a skateboarding game that isn’t here to simply pay homage; it’s a truly engaging new game with thoughtful controls, gorgeous visuals out the wazoo, and a soundtrack I’m already pre-ordering on vinyl.
Skate Story is a game by Sam Eng, published by Devolver Digital, who also released the excellent Olli Olli games. Sam has even published some in-universe short fiction on his Substack, which I highly suggest checking out. The demo is available now on Steam and is absolutely worth checking out.
Skate through nine layers of The Underworld. Cruise through streets and surreal landscapes full of waxed ledges, unholy gaps, and tortured demons. Push your way through precarious paths and shred freeform skate spots. Discover and create your own challenges as you explore the world and master your board.
Sell your soul for decks, wheels, and trucks to keep your skating fresh. Over 70+ skate tricks to progress and improve. Complete skate trials to level up, learn new tricks, and get new gear. Destroy vicious demons with your 360 flip… or at least impress them
The description sums up the game pretty nicely. You’ll skate along gorgeous levels in a quest to “discover The Devil’s greatest weakness: humility, perseverance, and a disgustingly sweet backside tailslide.” From what I can gather, some larger, hub-like levels are available for you to relax, skate obstacles, and practice tricks, while other levels resemble more linear, 3D platforming sections.
The skating itself is a wholly new experience, with controls slightly reminiscent of Thrasher: Skate and Destroy and ground physics not dissimilar to modern snowboarding games like Steep and Shredders. There is also a hint of rhythm game DNA in the way you pop tricks. It all comes together for an experience that is easy to learn and hard to master and never feels any less than buttery smooth.
The soundtrack comes courtesy of Blood Cultures, who appear to have rearranged and repurposed some old songs and written some new ones, and from what’s on display in the demo, this is going to be a game to play with headphones. Additional music is provided by the immensely talented John Fio.
Visually, the game is breathtaking. Skate Story has a fuzzy, muted look, with sharp angles, intense lighting effects, and more film grain than a hipster’s Instagram. The level design, character design, and interface all come together to create an impeccable vibe that other games will be rushing to mimic.
The demo was released as part of the Steam Next Fest, and I’m not the only person geeking out about it. Charlie Wacholz at IGN said, “Skate Story has so much potential as both a distinct story and a damn cool skating game(…) and I can’t wait to see the weird places this wildly expressive skating game goes.” Anthony Franklin II at Vice said, “I’ve run into several games this year that beautifully marry music, gameplay, and narrative. Skate Story looks like it’ll be yet another on that list. It’s haunting…”
By rejecting pure nostalgia in favor of a wholly unique control scheme and an impeccable vibe, Skate Story is already grabbing everyone who plays it. This is shaping up to be an essential, headphones-on journey that promises to be one of the most expressive and artistic skateboarding games ever made. Will you be picking it up?
Let us know in the comments below, and chat with us in our Discord!
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