If we’re judging purely by gameplay fundamentals, skate. is a great game. The controls feel great, there are some cool spots in San Vansterdam, and the new traversal system can be a lot of fun. Despite that, I stopped playing after the initial launch week. It just didn’t hook me enough — the art style feels bland, the world feels soulless, and the challenges/missions aren’t all that engaging.
These are common complaints that people have with EA’s latest skateboarding game, and they’re incredibly valid. If you feel the same way, now might be the perfect time to check out Session. The game recently received an update that makes the gameplay even better, and it’s on 75% off right now on Steam and on PlayStation 5.
Why Session Is the Perfect Skate Alternative
While EA’s game largely nails the fundamentals of board control and trick variety, it largely misses the mark when it comes to the vibe and how a skateboarding game should feel. Why can I do a perfect backflip on my skateboard while I’m just standing idly on it? I also shouldn’t be able to “spread eagle” and fly off any surface, either. Sure, all that silliness is fun for the first couple of hours, but not when you’re at hour 50. Earlier skate games were still silly, but they had soul, just look at the Hall of Meat challenges, for example.
Session is a much more focused game about style, precision, and self-expression. The control scheme is difficult at first, as each analog stick represents one foot. This forces you to coordinate flicks, rotations, and weight shifts just like in real life. It’s the closest you can get to a real skateboarding experience.
You land tricks in this game to make them look good, not to get corporate praise from an AI chatbot. The vibe is a bit grittier, and it’s much more of a skateboarding sim than any other game I’ve played so far. That doesn’t mean it’s boring, though, as the latest free-flow update makes the tricks even more fluid. Grinds feel satisfying, big air feels earned, grabs have weight, and bails feel punishing. The game is all about skateboarding, not about silly skins or annoying NPCs that bombard you with unearned praise.
By Skaters, For Skaters
What really sets Session apart from skate. is the authenticity and how it connects with the skateboarding community. It’s built by skaters who understand the culture, the struggles, and the satisfaction of finally landing that boardslide grind down the stair railing. The community is also excellent, and if you play on PC, you’ll find a bunch of great community-generated maps, gameplay mods, and visual enhancements.
Customization is also a big deal here. You can tweak your board setup, adjust your stance, and even fine-tune the physics to match your real-life preferences. Everything feels personal, from the clothes your skater wears to the way you line up a trick. It’s not the most accessible game because of the control scheme, but it’s definitely worth trying out — especially when you can get it at a deep discount, as is the case at the time of writing.
