Get Ready for the Ultimate PS2 Extreme Sports Experience: A New Game Merges SSX Tricky and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater!

Hyperyuki: Snowboard Syndicate is an exciting new arcade-style snowboarding game that channels the spirit of Jet Set Radio. It aims to fill the gap left by the SSX series while EA focuses on other ventures. While not the first to attempt to capture the essence of SSX, it stands out as one of the most stylish and successful attempts to date.

I recently got my hands on an early PC demo of Hyperyuki: Snowboard Syndicate, which is being brought back to life by a revived studio. The demo offers three levels, several modes, a selection of characters, and an impressive soundtrack.

Players familiar with SSX Tricky will feel right at home with Hyperyuki’s controls and gameplay. Tricks are executed by combining shoulder buttons and triggers, allowing you to rack up points and gain boosts for even more daring maneuvers. Land enough impressive combos, and you’ll activate a super mode that unlocks the most advanced tricks, rewarding you with even higher scores.

In essence, Hyperyuki: Snowboard Syndicate feels like SSX Tricky 2, but with a vibrant cel-shaded, anime-inspired art style that looks stunning, even in this early version. Within moments of playing, I was chaining massive combos across ramps and rails, thanks to my SSX muscle memory. Unlike previous attempts to recreate the SSX experience, Snowboard Syndicate flows seamlessly without any awkward control issues. It’s pure joy.

Racing through the demo’s snowy courses transported me back to my childhood, reminiscent of late nights spent playing PS2 until the early hours.

However, Hyperyuki: Snowboard Syndicate isn’t just about nostalgia. This spiritual successor boasts more modes than many SSX titles, including a Challenge Mode that transforms each level into a Tony Hawk Pro Skater-style experience, where you complete objectives like collecting letters and hunting for a hidden golden board. Merging the vibes of Tony Hawk and SSX is a brilliant combination, much like peanut butter and chocolate. The PC demo even supports up to four-player splitscreen, a feature I wish more PC games would adopt.

I’m eagerly anticipating the full release of Hyperyuki: Snowboard Syndicate later this year on PC, with console versions set to follow at an unspecified date.