Grind Session

"Another THPS clone that came pretty close!"

Yet another skateboarding game that came along through the “extreme sports” era of video games. Everyone knows it was started by the legendary THPS. Since then, many games have tried to cash in on the fad. Most have failed, but some have come pretty close. Grind Session is most definitely a close one. One cannot compare Grind Session to THPS because they are different in almost every way. THPS uses imaginary skate physics; the kind of physics real life skaters would LIKE to have. Grind Session uses the kind of physics that real life skaters DO have. As in, no more 3,000,000 point combos, a la THPS2. I’m happy if I can clock in at 15,000 :Þ Now then, onto the rest of the review.

Graphics: 78/100

The graphics are pretty grainy, but colorful. They are the graphics of about an average Playstation game. The characters have an average amount of detail as well; nothing spectacular, but nothing horrible. However, the PS2 or DC would have done wonders to this game (assuming the PSX controller was used, later on). Other than that, the graphics are very suitable. For once, the developer concentrated on gameplay and not graphics or sound.

Sound: 85/100

The sound is pretty good. Not as good as the THPS soundtrack, but they got some pretty funky tunes in the game. Unlike most games, they don’t get annoying incredibly quickly. To me, they never get annoying. I haven’t memorized the names to the songs (yet), but I can just tell you it is a very good soundtrack. As for the sound effects, they are very good too. The grinding/sliding sounds very realistic, the ollies sound like they do in real life, basically everything sounds like it should, and it is all clear sound, too.

Gameplay: 92/100

Where the game shines. Most would say the gameplay is horrible, but this game boasts one keyword: realism. People expect 500,000 points combos like THPS, and then say the game is worthless when they fall trying a kickflip. True, it is very different from THPS, but in a good way. Grind Session is my game of choice when I want some realistic video game skateboarding.

Anyway, the game is as follows. You skate around, earning points and knocking over objects. The higher the score you earn and the more objects you knock over, you earn Respect Points. Respect Points are the key to the game; they unlock levels, boards, and skaters. Like, a level might need 30 Respect Points to unlock it. Trust me, though, they are incredibly easy to earn if you know how to play the game. Very good gameplay.

Controls: 94/100

I really think the controls cannot improve that much. The PSX controller, IMO, is the best all-around controller ever designed (next to the NES controller; LOL!). It serves its purpose well, and has the ability to allow for complex trick systems like skateboarding games. Control is basically Tony Hawk, with a few minor adjustments. You need to hold down Grind to grind, which is easier than it seems, and works very well. Other than that, Square does flip tricks, Circle does grab tricks, X ollies, and Triangle grinds. Very simple yet complex (if that made sense).

Replay Value: 79/100

The game has goods replay value, but no game has excellent replay value IMO. Once you complete Career Mode, you can just skate around in the levels all you want (I’ve skated around the first level only for about three weeks, and never got tired of it yet!) and mess around. Then, you can get into Multiplayer :) That is where some REAL fun begins. Other than that, the replay value is pretty good, for a skateboarding game other than THPS.

Overall: 88/100
Overall GameFAQs score: 9/10

If you’re interested in skateboarding games, I highly suggest you give Grind Session a RENT first. It takes a special kind of person to like such a game, and appreciate its worth and value, which most people will not after they have played THPS. A lot of time and effort was spent in the creation of this game, and I say we honor that and try Grind Session.

Remember: realism :)

~Aristotle

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/17/01, Updated 10/17/01