It took a long time until a developer finally released a VR skateboarding game, which could really convince me as a long-time board lover. I don’t really like praise, but since skateboarding is the board that means the world to me, I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. Now let’s see in which points the game could convince me.

Anyone who has ever stood on a skateboard knows that this is not an easy task. Even learning the first tricks is no walk in the park. Fortunately, there is an extensive tutorial in the game, where you can learn the movements step by step. Thus, every player will eventually become a pro skater. However, you are not completely taken by the hand like in Tony Hawk Pro Skater and casually do kickflips at the push of a button. The movements to do the tricks are very close to the leg movements of the real tricks. For example, you’ll pull a Shove-It by pulling the back of the skateboard towards you, just like on a real board. Don’t expect to be perfect right away, but the sense of accomplishment from your first kickflip or manual will quickly become apparent. Motion sickness has also not been a problem so far, as the implemented game mechanics keep this to a minimum. So far, none of the game testers had any problems with it.

Your first encounters with rails or ledges will be like something out of a picture book. All game mechanics already seem really mature and even the grind or slide behavior just feels right. But before you venture out on various handrails you should practice the corresponding tutorials to learn the button assignments and movements of the tricks. The Early Access version of the game already offers a large number of well-known grind and slide tricks. In addition to boardslides, you’ll also find tail and nose slides, 5–0’s and nose grinds in the trick assortment. Some new tricks are already planned for the future. Maybe bluntslides, crooked grinds or even darkslides will find their way into the game. Besides grinds and slides, you also have manuals to skate through the levels like Rodney Mullen.

Who doesn’t know it? The school level from THPS 2. In VR Skater, the first level in the Early Access version will also be a school level. It is equipped with many picnic tables, stairs and ledges and brings back memories of the good old Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 time. Immediately, a nostalgic feeling arose and I felt transported back to my childhood. But now I’m not just a mere screen viewer, but a real skater in the game. I can’t wait to see what levels will be added in future updates. So far, though, the current level is still keeping me on my toes after 25 hours and I’m always finding new lines and skate spots to beat my current score. Along the way, there will also be challenges that you can complete while skating.

The soundtrack is also worth listening to. So far, five songs are included in the Early Access version of the game, which immediately reminded me of the good old THPS times. Skate and pop punk at its finest, which immediately put a big grin on my face and accompanied me through the levels at full volume. It is rounded off with a little hip-hop, so that there is something for every VR skater. Even after 25 hours of playtime, I still can’t get enough and I’m going to add the songs to my smartphone playlist so they can accompany me during my outdoor skate sessions. Right here below you can listen to the sound for yourself.

I’ve been a skateboarder for 12 years and I love VR Skater. Especially for days when it’s raining or when I’m still sore from my last skate session, VR Skater comes in handy. It really gives me the feeling of being on a real board. Also the tricks are so close to the real skateboard tricks that I felt at home right away as an old skate veteran. VR Skater is also the perfect game for skateboarding newbies or those who have always wanted to try it. It will be released today as an Early Access game and you can get the game for around 20 bucks on Steam. VR Skater contains so much love for the genre and attention to detail that it is 100% worth the money. Below you can find the link to the Steam page, where you can already add the game to your wish list.

Link to the VR Skater steam page

You are also welcome to join the VR Skater Discord and get the latest info on what exciting updates will be coming to the game. And these are already planned numerous. Speaking of planning. For 2022, in addition to the now appearing Steam version, a quest version is also planned. More details will only be available next year. In the meantime, you can play the game on all common PC VR glasses, as well as with the Quest 2 via Virtual Desktop, Air Link or Link Cable. Only WMR support is still a long time coming, since the tracking is too inaccurate there so far. However, the developers are already working on a fix.

VR Skater discord invite

Review: VR Skater was originally published in AR/VR Journey: Augmented & Virtual Reality Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.