EA’s skate. has recently been the main topic of conversation, but one of its biggest competitors just got a discount that’s hard to ignore. The skate series was originally positioned as a more realistic alternative to the arcade-style Tony Hawk games, featuring a focus on relatively grounded street skating and in-depth controls for tricks. Over time, that grounded approach has fallen to the wayside, and fans have been divided about whether the new game’s ridiculous stunts are the right direction.

For those who would prefer something more realistic, Session: Skate Sim is currently 70% off on Steam, bringing it to a price of $11.99. Unfortunately, this discount isn’t available on Xbox or PlayStation, although PS Plus Extra subscribers can access Session through the Game Catalog. The Steam sale, meanwhile, will only last until September 29.

Session’s 70% Off Sale Highlights A Skate 4 Alternative

The big thing that sets Session apart from other skateboarding games is its dual-stick control scheme. While skate. maps a vague approximation of foot positioning to one analog stick, Session uses each stick to represent one foot, allowing for a more direct emulation of how actual skating works.

As a consequence, Session has a higher learning curve than skate. does. For serious skaters, though, the resulting degree of granular control is worth it. Skater XL is another game that features complex board control, but its overall approach is still slightly less grounded than Session‘s.

Session still has its drawbacks, and most critical reviews focus on a lack of updates, which has left the game feeling somewhat unfinished. The last dev update on Steam was from June, with no word since on when planned changes might be implemented.

Session’s Realistic Experience Is Uniquely Satisfying

If you’re looking to return to the days of the original skate trilogy, Session won’t scratch that exact itch any more than the skate. game will. All the same, Session‘s authentic approach is the perfect counterpoint to skate. clips of gravity-defying spread eagle gaps. You’ll have more trouble landing awe-inspiring lines, but the ones you do manage will feel more rewarding.

Regardless, there’s never been a better time to try Session out, as the $11.99 price matches the previous record lows since its full release. Legitimate third-party sites like IndieGala occasionally sell Steam keys for even cheaper, but when buying the game directly, it doesn’t get any better than this. Of course, skate. is still free-to-play, but the difference in experience that the games provide could make investing in Session: Skate Sim worthwhile.