Self-stylized ‘digital skateboarding toy’, The Ramp, launches today for PC on Steam. While the ‘toy’ description may trigger a few confused looks, The Ramp is through-and-through a skateboarding game. But one that takes a different approach to what we’ve come to expect from skateboarding games, such as the well-received Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 remake.
The Ramp does away with high scores, challenges, collect-athons, and convoluted button-mashing, for a free form skateboarding experience. Players roam one of four levels at their chosen pace, aiming for that elusive but very real notion of skateboarding flow, one perfectly executed trick at a time. There is nothing to unlock and no level progression. As developer Paul Schnepf, working under the Hyperparadise name, succinctly puts it, ‘chill out, do tricks, and look damn cool.’ Nothing more, nothing less.
For those lucky enough to say their skateboarding experience extends beyond the odd sheepish ollie or fraught drop down a ramp, the flow may not be such a nebulous concept. But for most of us entertaining the first trip down to the local skate park emboldened by skateboarding’s thrilling Olympic debut last week, The Ramp is likely as close as we’ll ever be to finding flow.
The Ramp Features
For a better sense of what The Ramp is all about, there’s a brief but concise 90-second explainer video. As for features, over to Hyperparadise:
- Born to ride – A stripped-back experience that captures the essence of real-life vert skateboarding.
- Board games – Fly, spin, and grind through a choice of four levels, including an empty pool, a half-pipe, and one humongous mega jump.
- All on the table – There are no points, levels, or unlockables. Any trick can be performed at any time… provided you’ve got the skills.
- Pocket pedigree – Created by Paul Schnepf, co-founder of the studio that made Islanders and Superflight.
Hyperparadise’s The Ramp is out today on PC via Steam.
