So yeah, Hyperyuki: Snowboard Syndicate is basically SSX Tricky 2, but with a more cel-shaded, anime-inspired art style that looks fantastic, even in this not-finished version of the game. Within minutes of playing, I was pulling off massive combos across ramps and rails thanks to my SSX muscle memory kicking in. And unlike a past attempt to recreate SSX Tricky, Snowboard Syndicate doesn’t have any weird control quirks that screw up the flow. It’s just bliss, baby.
Screaming across the demo’s three snowy courses made me feel like I was 11 all over again, crammed into the hot, dark back room of my house playing PS2 until 3 a.m.
But Hyperyuki: Snowboard Syndicate isn’t just trying to recapture your nostalgic memories of SSX Tricky. This spiritual successor features more modes than what was found in most SSX games, including a Challenge Mode that turns each level into a Tony Hawk Pro Skater-like experience where you have to complete a list of objectives like collecting letters and finding a hidden golden board. Folks, I can’t be mad at a game deciding to merge Tony Hawk and SSX. Like peanut butter and chocolate, they go great together. The demo on PC even supports up to four-player splitscreen, which is awesome and something I wish more PC games included.
I can’t wait to play the full, completed version of Hyperyuki: Snowboard Syndicate when it launches later this year on PC. Console ports are also planned to arrive at an undetermined date.