Session: Skate Sim Review: The Uncompromising King of Skateboarding
Last Updated: October 28, 2025
In the world of skateboarding games, two distinct philosophies have emerged. On one side, there's the impending, free-to-play, live-service return of EA's *skate.*, a franchise celebrated for making skateboarding accessible and fun. On the other stands *Session: Skate Sim*, a game that has been out since 2022 and remains the undisputed champion of unflinching realism. Developed by Crea-ture Studios, *Session* isn't just a competitor; it's a declaration of intent—a deep, demanding, and ultimately rewarding simulation for those who believe skateboarding is an art form defined by its difficulty.
The Pursuit of Pure Simulation
For years, the genre was dominated by the arcade spectacle of *Tony Hawk's Pro Skater*. EA's original *Skate* revolutionized the scene in 2007 with its 'Flickit' system, tying tricks to analog stick movements that mimicked board control. *Session: Skate Sim* takes that philosophy to its absolute zenith. This isn't a game about skateboarding; it is a painstaking digital replication of the act of skateboarding itself, complete with the frustration, perseverance, and unparalleled satisfaction that defines the culture.
The core philosophy of *Session* is authenticity. It deliberately casts aside traditional scoring, combo multipliers, and overt objectives. Instead, the game offers players meticulously recreated real-world skate spots—from the legendary Brooklyn Banks of NYC to streets in Philadelphia and San Francisco—and a physics engine designed to punish hubris and reward precision. The goal isn't to rack up a million points; it's to spend half an hour battling a specific 8-stair, dialing in the perfect foot position and timing to land a clean tre flip, just as a real skater would. It’s a digital love letter to the process, where the true reward is mastering a trick and capturing it on film.
Mastering the Twin Sticks
The greatest barrier to entry—and the game's most profound strength—is its unique "twin-stick" control scheme. Where *Skate* mapped tricks to one analog stick, *Session* assigns one stick to each of the skater's feet. The left stick controls the front foot, the right stick controls the back foot. Steering is offloaded to the triggers, freeing up the sticks entirely for the complex ballet of board manipulation.
This system is profoundly unintuitive at first. Your initial hours will be a humbling exercise in just trying to ollie consistently and turn without bailing. It’s a demanding system that requires genuine practice and the development of muscle memory. There are no shortcuts.
However, once it clicks, the level of control is simply unmatched by any other game in the genre. Every trick feels earned. Landing a clean kickflip isn't a simple button press or a vague flick; it's a deliberate, two-part sequence of popping with your back foot (stick) and flicking with your front foot (stick) at the correct angle and speed. This granular control allows for a depth of expression that is simply impossible in other titles. Players can meticulously adjust pop height, rotation speed, and how they catch the board, leading to infinite variations. It transforms gameplay from executing pre-programmed animations into a truly dynamic and personal performance.
A Skater's Digital Playground in a Post-Launch World
After a successful period in Early Access, *Session* launched its 1.0 version in September 2022 on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, with a Nintendo Switch port following in 2023. The game's structure fully supports its simulation-first approach. The world is a sandbox of famous locations, and while there are missions, they function more as tutorials and guides to the spots than a traditional campaign.
The real progression is internal: your own skill development. The true endgame is found in the robust replay editor, which allows players to create and share skate videos with an array of camera lenses, FOV settings, and filters. This feature is central to the experience, fostering a community built around the creativity and appreciation of a well-executed line rather than a high score.
That said, potential players should be aware of the game's current state. While the core experience is complete and deeply compelling, the pace of post-launch updates and new content has been slow, a common point of discussion within its dedicated community. This purist's approach can also be alienating. Players looking for casual fun or immediate gratification will likely find *Session* to be an exercise in frustration. It is uncompromising in its vision, and its punishing physics can sometimes feel overly sensitive.
The Verdict
*Session: Skate Sim* is not a game for everyone, and it never pretends to be. It is a niche, hardcore simulation built for players who crave authenticity above all else. It stands in stark contrast to its contemporaries by focusing on the gritty process rather than the glorious outcome. For those who grew up watching skate videos, who understand the pain and dedication behind landing a single trick, this game is a revelation.
It’s a challenging, often punishing, but ultimately beautiful tribute to the art of skateboarding. If you have the patience to overcome its brutal learning curve, you will discover the most rewarding and realistic skateboarding experience ever crafted. It’s not just a game; it’s a discipline.