The highly rated indie hit, OlliOlli 2: Welcome to Olliwood is arriving to Steam next week (check out our official review), adding itself to the microscopic list of Skateboard games available on the personal computer. Skateboarding games closely resemble platformers, they’re all about fast reaction times and precise jumps; they’re about traversing your environment in the quickest and most stylish way imaginable.
For those looking to get the same thrills before or after OlliOlli 2’s release, here’s a list of recommended titles to check out.
FOTONICA (PC and Mobile)
Minimalist art-styles are common-place in the realm of indie PC games. More often than not it’s more because the developers have no money rather than to look distinct or make a point, but FOTONICA is one eye catching game.
Gameplay is as simple the graphics and just as intriguing. Holding and releasing a single key on your keyboard or mouse will make your character run and jump across large gaps. Timing jumps perfectly and avoiding obstacles will reward you with accelerating speed until you’re eventually hitting 140mph. Frequently on sale during many of Steam’s generous discounts, FOTONICA comes highly recommended to those looking for a quick and simple rush.
Trials Fusion (Multi Platform)
Dirt bikes and skateboards may be different, but with its combination of flips, tricks and platforming, Trials is an excellent choice for OlliOlli fans. Simplistic in its design, Trials is much more about levels than vehicles. Trials lures you in with stages that are designed for high speed ramps that will have your character fly. You will be wishing for those stages when you reach the end game, when Trials brings out all the stops and is intent on single handily bringing you down.
Addicting and never ending thanks to its track creator, Trials Fusion – or Evolution – is a game that all fans of platforming should enjoy.
Race The Sun (PC, PS4, PS4, and PS Vita)
Race The Sun is not about tricks or “combos” per-say, what it is about is always being on edge, ready to survive for a few more seconds by a hair. Built in Unity and light on visuals, Race the Sun more than makes up for it with randomly generated courses and compelling high-score gameplay.
Piloting a fast moving solar powered vehicle, Race the Sun is not unlike the previous two games we covered, it lures you in with easy to understand gameplay before throwing you into progressively difficult stages that seamlessly begin after another is completed. Thanks to a level that randomly generates a new layout every day, Race the Sun is a game that’s always tempting to boot up for one more attempt at increasing your score.
Tony Hawk (Multiple Games, Multiple Platforms)
At first glance, the most obvious recommendation for OlliOlli fans would be the Tony Hawk games, well, most of them. Unfortunately, the only Tony Hawk entry available for PC gamers – unless you count Emulators – is Pro Skater HD, a title that’s gaming’s equivalent of a bad cover band. Good intentions don’t change the fact that slow animations, wonky collision detection and remade levels that don’t match their original counterpart’s in terms of quality, makes for an unsatisfying experience. This being said, there are many other solid Tony Hawk games out there, especially the ones over 10-years old.
