Featuring some heavy metal/hardcore punk music, indie developer Zellah Games has unveiled its debut game, Skate Style. As the Steam page describes it, it’s a “next-gen skateboarding game with high-end graphics.” But the main draw here appears to be an in-depth animation editor that allows you to tweak body movement, foot placement, and timing.
As the creator is going for realism, it incorporates a similar form of the dual stick controls seen in modern skateboarding games. What we do know for sure is that the physics look good, the character editor is very in-depth, and there are two real-world maps: Barcelona and Stalin Plaza (Prague). The Demo is out right now, and the full game will be available sometime this year.
A Massive Undertaking
For now, the demo is quite barebones, and the game still requires a lot of polish before it is ready for the full release. The skating feels a bit floatier than something like Session, and there’s a bit of animation jank, especially when you get hit by cars. While the controls are similar to Session, the floaty physics are a bit closer to Skater XL. If you’ve played both games, you’ll know what I’m talking about if you try out the demo.
The chosen locations are a strong pick, especially the Stalin Plaza. This location in Prague is one of the most iconic skateboarding grounds in the world. It has smooth terrain, a plaza that feels built for skaters, great spots, and a beautiful view of Letná Hill. The second location, Barcelona/MACBA, is also an excellent choice.
Skate Style’s animation editor is by far the most interesting thing about it. It allows you to create a style that is uniquely yours, which is a major part of skateboarding in real life. The lighting is quite good, but I’m not quite buying the whole “high-end graphics” bit yet. Some of the character models look a bit wonky, so there’s work to be done on that front.At the end of the day, making a good skateboarding game is hard. The fundamentals need to be good, but nailing the vibe and feel is just as important. This is exactly the problem we covered in our Skate 4 review.
