Session: Skate Sim: All DLC Maps, Ranked

As someone who’s spent countless hours perfecting my ollies and kickflips in Skater XL, I can confidently say that Session: Skate Sim has truly outdone itself with its Schoolyard DLC. Coming from a skater who knows his stuff, this map is the cream of the crop for me.

Having mastered skateboarding even in my twenties, I’ve picked up quite a bit of knowledge on tricks like kickflips, 50-50s, and more. Consequently, I’m well-versed in skateboarding video games as well.

I greatly enjoy the exaggerated, fast-paced action of the THPS series and the realistic approach in EA Skate. If you’re seeking authenticity, nothing beats “Session: Skate Sim.

Experiencing this exceptional skating game is almost indistinguishable from the actual sport, even the simplest moves seem like triumphs. This sensation is further enhanced by the array of stunning real-life locations where you can skate freely to your delight.

To sum it up, the top skate locations are usually hidden within the additional content of this game’s downloadable maps. Fortunately for you, I’m extremely familiar with every inch of these maps.

I will evaluate every Session DLC map for you, so you can decide wisely whether they are worth purchasing or not.

6 Prague

A Slavic Session

Session: Skate Sim: All DLC Maps, Ranked

Regrettably, the newly launched DLC map, titled Prague, unfortunately falls short in terms of gameplay. Despite its visually appealing design, featuring attractive stair sets, ledges, and DIY elements, the overall experience leaves much to be desired.

However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that it’s essentially just a park. The main game offers numerous such park-like locations, and most of them are more captivating than Prague.

If you’re not particularly fond of intricate rock formations, this place might not offer much excitement for you, and it doesn’t have any unique or memorable features that would encourage repeated visits.

The atmosphere here seems reminiscent of a DIY skate park you’d create in the THPS editor. Unfortunately, there’s an excessive amount of open space and fewer distinct spots that could keep you engaged for extended periods. It’s passable, but I wouldn’t consider it worth the investment compared to other parks.

5 Phat Nugget Mall

No Mall Grabs Allowed

Session: Skate Sim: All DLC Maps, Ranked

I might get a little heat for putting the Abandoned Mall map so far down on this list, and to an extent, I get that. aesthetically, it’s incredible and feels like a love letter to the Mall level in the original THPS.

Although the map appears quite worn out, it seems to have some challenges for smooth skating. Moreover, the multi-level design, featuring different floors, seems inconsistent with the game’s overall mechanics.

It’s also very tricky to put together lines and get into a flow state, as you’ll constantly need to hop off your board to get where you need to go.

This item might be quite small, but it certainly shines in specific areas. For instance, it boasts a vibrant, tunnel-like section adorned with ledges, handrails, and curved seating. To add to that, it features holes in the floor and strategically placed ramps for thrilling jumps.

If it were slightly cleaner and offered more room to move, making navigation a breeze, it could be an excellent map indeed. However, while it has some appealing qualities, it unfortunately falls short of meeting expectations.

4 Paris

Patiner et détruire

Afterward, we find ourselves discussing Paris, a game launched during the Paris Olympics, marking skateboarding’s comeback in this longstanding sports competition for the second time.

This map shares certain characteristics with Prague; it boasts expansive, unspoiled areas as well as some less polished districts. However, it truly shines with numerous visually appealing locations perfect for skating, and an array of diverse challenges to overcome.

You have the Siene bank with nice ledges and drops, you have the incredible overlook of the Eiffel Tower with great ledges, stair sets and banks, and you even have a park area with a modern take and a bowl that’s loads of fun to skate, albeit with some minor issues on account of the games trouble with transition.

In summary, it’s an exceptional place for skating in the real world that offers enough diversity to make buying it worthwhile.

3 The Sewers

Skaters In A Half Shell

It seemed reasonable to assume that since the TMNT crossover was a free DLC update, its accompanying map might not be as expansive as those offered in the paid DLC packages.

However, interestingly enough, this additional content ranks among the top DLC releases, offering a thrilling, continuous skate challenge that takes you through two massive sewer pipes of your preference. Each pipe concludes at an impressive underwater skate park filled with numerous challenging obstacles.

What makes this standout is its versatility in player interaction. It offers two distinct modes: one resembling Downhill Jam, where you race through pipes while jumping off ledges and ramps, and another that focuses on precision, inviting you to navigate the park section and construct a complex route.

Beyond that, the added perk of amazing street art and TMNT collaborations makes it even more delightful! As for free downloadable content, this game truly indulges you. Choose your preferred turtle and dive right in!

2 Chris Cole’s Waterpark

Slip & Slide

The second-place game reminds one of Session emulating EA Skate, and attempting to mirror Danny Way’s Super Ultra Mega Park. However, it doesn’t quite reach the outrageous levels of that game, but it comes as close as Session can get without compromising realism.

This waterpark is vastly sprawling, filled with numerous hidden corners and exciting ramps designed for skating. It’s natural to gravitate towards the slides initially, given our nature as humans, but this expansive landscape offers far more than just a few vibrant water slides.

The park is filled with numerous creative DIY features that are simply amazing, boasting excellent ramps and stair combinations. It offers a multitude of vertical challenges, enabling you to tackle obstacles swiftly, all while showcasing an impressive visual appeal.

This skate park almost claims the number one spot, but it falls short because many areas that appear most enticing for skating lack smooth transitions, resulting in sections that can feel uncomfortable or awkward to navigate. However, the opportunity to skate alongside skateboarding icon Chris Cole somewhat offsets this disadvantage.

1 Schoolyard

Doing Kickflips For Extra Credit

Previously, I spent much time on Skater XL, then moved to Session. However, the nostalgia for cruising through Easy Day High School remains strong. Indeed, it was an exceptional map, yet I believe that the Schoolyard DLC in Session could potentially surpass it slightly.

Here, you’ll find everything you might desire for a satisfying skate session. There are lengthy ramps for grinding, challenging staircases, ledges on elevated platforms, and numerous tricky areas ideal for fluid maneuvers.

Yet, it’s the iconic staircase, El Toro, that truly steals the show. Anyone familiar with skating knows just how challenging El Toro can be. The sheer joy of conquering it and claiming ownership of the location is truly remarkable.

This map serves as your key to unleash your inner skating prodigy like Daewon Song and dominate the virtual schoolyard. In my opinion, among all the maps available in “Session: Skate Sim,” this one stands out as the superior choice by quite a margin.

2024-09-30 13:09