Session / Skater XL
Crea-ture Studios’ Session and Easy Day Studios’ Skater XL aren’t actually the same game, but they fill a similar void left by EA’s Skate franchise (which is making a comeback soon). Both games are hardcore skateboarding simulators that emphasize precision board control over huge tricks and long combos. Both games (mostly) forgo a narrative in favor of strictly shredding a spot. Both games even feature a control scheme in the same vein as Skate’s, with the left stick controlling your left foot and the right stick controlling your right. Until Skate 4—which needs to be called Sk4te, you’re welcome, EA—comes out, these two are my go-to skateboarding games when I want to focus on trick mastery and understanding instead of just pure adrenaline.
