Helskate

Release Date: January 20, 2025

Action, TPP, fantasy, roguelike, skateboard, indie games, action adventure, slasher, singleplayer

79%

Steam

Rate It!

A cross between a slasher, a roguelike and an arcade skateboarding sim. Helskate has us playing as a skater traversing the fantasy land of Vertheim, killing hordes of monsters while performing skateboard tricks.

Plot
Mechanics
Technical aspects

Helskate is an original cross between a slasher, a roguelike and arcade skateboarding games reminiscent of the Tony Hawk series. It was developed by an indie studio Phantom Coast, its main designer being Steve Swink, known for his work on games such as Tony Hawk's Underground.

Plot

Helskate is set in the fantasy world of Vertheim. We play as an adventurer facing hordes of monsters inhabiting the land and the gods of skateboarding who rule it.

Mechanics

Helskate is a third-person game (TPP). The player traverses Vertheim on a skateboard, cutting down hordes of enemies. Apart from regular foes, which we slaughter left and right, we'll also face powerful bosses.

Enemies can be dispatched through our diverse arsenal of weaponry, including melee (hammers, swords) and ranged weapons (shurikens) or various gadgets (such as explosives). To succeed we must keep moving, dodging and countering, chaining our attacks into deadly combos.

Our skateboard can be used for more than just moving around. The playable character's capable of many different tricks, such as aerial stunts, grinding or wallriding. Each trick is scored, while chaining them into combos increases the score multiplier. Tricks also empower us, making our attacks stronger.

As we progress through the game, we gradually develop our character. New skateboards grant us various buffs, better weapons let us face stronger foes, while acquiring tattoos provides the protagonist with permanent skill bonuses. After each death, the game's world changes, meaning each run is different than the last.

Technical aspects

Helskate makes use of an atmospheric, cartoonish artstyle.

Videos and Screens

[1:40] Helskate - Launch Trailer

[1:29] Helskate Helskate - Early Access Release Date Trailer

79%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Mostly Positive (229)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Solid Skating Mechanics: The skating feels very satisfying, with a variety of tricks and combos that players can execute, enhancing the gameplay experience.
Unique Concept: The blend of skateboarding with roguelite elements and combat has been praised as an interesting and engaging idea, reminiscent of *Tony Hawk's Pro Skater* and *Hades*.
Art Style and Character Design: Users appreciate the vibrant art style, character designs, and the overall aesthetic of the game, which adds personality and charm.
Fun Power-ups and Customization: Players enjoy the ability to combine unique weapons and gear to customize their playstyle, as well as the various power-ups that enhance gameplay.
Addictive Gameplay Loop: Many users find the game addictive, often leading to "just one more run" mentality due to the engaging mechanics.

The main cons of the game

Bugs and Technical Issues: A significant number of users reported various bugs, including game-breaking glitches, collision issues, and performance problems, which detract from the overall experience.
Combat System Frustrations: The combat has been described as inconsistent, with some weapons feeling ineffective, and players often feeling overwhelmed when facing multiple enemies.
Lack of Polish: Many reviews noted that the game feels unfinished and lacks the polish expected from a full release, with issues in animations, camera control, and overall gameplay flow.
Loss of Progression: Players expressed dissatisfaction with losing upgrades upon dying, which can feel punishing and diminish the sense of achievement after defeating bosses.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

More Content: Users are looking for additional content, including more areas, weapons, and upgrades to keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.
Improved Narrative and Character Interaction: Some players noted repetitive dialogue and outdated information from NPCs, suggesting a need for a more cohesive narrative experience.
Customizable Characters: The lack of options for customizing character appearance, which was a feature in previous skateboarding games, was seen as a significant oversight.
Casual Mode or Difficulty Options: Some users suggested implementing a casual mode that simplifies controls for new players, making it easier to focus on combat without being overwhelmed by the trick mechanics.

Summary

Overall, while Helskate has a solid foundation and a lot of potential, it is currently hindered by technical issues and a lack of polish that detracts from the overall experience. Users are hopeful for future updates to address these concerns.

Summary generated on: February 17, 2025