040
PREVIEW
“THE USE OF PHYSICS
RATHER THAN
BOTTLED ANIMATIONS
GIVES YOU THE
FREEDOM TO EXPLORE
ITS SKATING SYSTEM.”
Above The visuals have a pared-back simplicity that ensures realism. Above The world is your stunt-ground, so get out there and grind.Skateboardinggameshaveslowly
backflippedoffPlayStation.But we still
rememberthepainofragdolltrial-and-
errorinEA’sSkateandTonyHawk’s Pro
Skater,andourinnerbaggy-trouseredmasochist
wantsthosefeelsagain.Fortunatelyforus,andourneedforboard-based
punishment,SkaterXLis glidingontoPS4and is
settorevolutionisetheworldofskategames all over
again.LikeSkateit’saimingfortotalrealism, but it’s
alsododgingtraditionalvideogameskater-isms to
offersomethinga littlemoreartistic.
“Thegameis uniqueinthatit doesn’thave any
tricks programmed into it, only control of movement
through the thumbsticks,” reveals Easy Day Studios’
director Dain Hedgpeth on the PlayStation Blog. To
be short and sweet, Skater XL lets you control the
character’s feet using the respective thumbsticks –
the right stick controls the right foot; the left stick
controls the left foot.
The use of physics rather than bottled animations
gives you the freedom to explore its boundless
skating system – essential if you want to pull off
all those neat tricks and combos. Skater XL feels
like the true successor to Skate. The physics-based
controls are consistent through all areas of the game,
ensuring you need to actively learn and master tricks
just as you would if you got on a board in real life.
It means there’s room for artistic licence, space to
invent new moves. We’re looking forward to Skater
XL’s artistic discipline more than we should.This game’s begging
for a photo mode –
fish-eye lens a must.Each stick controls a foot,
so you can skate as in real
life and create new moves.Above Skate XL looks beautiful – it also looks incredibly difficult. Is this the
soulsborne of skate games? [Stop it, stop it right now! – ed]SKATER XL
Putting its best feet forwardsFORMAT PS4 / ETA 2020
PUB EASY DAY STUDIOS / DEV EASY DAY STUDIOS