Game:

Helskate (2024)

Duration: 1:03:44

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Helskate is a new Roguelite game that came out in Early Access on 2/15/2024. It is both published and developed by Phantom Coast. It can be found on Steam at: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1295630/Helskate/

Having played pretty much every Tony Hawk game out there, and since I LOVE a good Roguelite game, I just HAD to grab this! You basically need to skate around while fighting enemies, and you earn new moves (in the form of flip tricks, grinds, manuals, etc.), gear, and currency to unlock permanent upgrades in the Mall.

The first thing I REALLY feel like I need to point out, is that there is no revert (that I know of so far). This kept messing me up, as in Tony Hawk games, you could use the R2/RT button to revert, which would keep your combo going when landing a trick. You could revert and follow it up with a manual to keep your score going strong while adding more multipliers. I kept pressing the RT button when landing, trying to revert, but in Helskate, that button is a circular attack with the sword. I need to break this habit. Not the game's fault, but just something to be aware of if you have been a long time player of Tony Hawk games.

Another thing I have to point out is that the camera can have some SERIOUS jank. Again, taking another cue from Tony Hawk games lol. While it isn't TOO bad, the camera can get pretty finnicky sometimes. Not a deal breaker, but I hope they work this out a bit more. It can be hard to track where you want to go next when it gets chaotic, and then the camera also wants to fight against you. I also had it clip into geo a few times, and I broke my combo, or got hit by an enemy, because I couldn't see.

The last thing, and it may just be me being more focused on the action than the UI, but I don't think it ever gives you a tutorial for the quick attack...I may have not noticed it, but I didn't realize that I could do an attack besides the heavy spin attack for quite a while. Maybe I skipped it on accident? I'll have to watch my vid, but I don't recall it teaching me that attack. So yeah, hack away with your light attack!

These are my biggest (small) complaints about the game so far. None are reasons to avoid this game though, especially since this is just Early Access. Hopefully the devs will continue to polish the game instead of just adding content. Ironing out some of the small issues like these will definitely make the game a better experience.

The skills are pretty interesting to pull off, as you have to do directional commands and then either a grab, flip, manual, or grind. It feels a bit daunting at first, especially when trying to watch a balance meter for multiple actions (like grinding and using manual), and then trying to remember the correct input to perform the move, all while dodging enemy attacks, and not trying to fall off the map. It gets CHAOTIC, but the longer I played, the more use to it I was getting. It is a different approach on combat, and definitely a fun mechanic that seems will get even more fun as you perfect it.

I am pretty excited to see what the other boards are like! Looking in the store, I saw a board that turns into a Hammer, and another one that turns into Shuriken. Going to be fun unlocking these weapons and seeing how drastically they change combat in the game. Obviously the Hammer is going to be a slower, more powerful weapon, while the Shuriken will be a weaker, long range weapon. That's my guess at least, but it makes sense. Just a tip here! In the arena where you fight the first boss, make sure to get up into the rafters! There are a couple new materials you will need for these new weapons!

If you like Tony Hawk games, and are looking for a new Roguelite to play, I would say check it out!

#helskate #phantomcoast #skateboarding #roguelite #tonyhawk #steamgame #skateboard #actiongames #earlyaccess

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