The team at PlayStation Access has released a gameplay video of Ubisoft’s upcoming extreme winter sports adventure Steep.
Steep is an open world game that allows players to explore two massive mountain ranges, either taking part in set challenges or traversing bowls, cliffs, and mountain forests at their own pace. Players can ski, snowboard, or take to the skies in a paraglider or wing suit.
The video gives us a little more insight into how the physics of different disciplines work, and how set challenges blend into the open world environment. We learn more details about the trick system as well.
What impresses me most about Steep so far is how the realistic physics engine affects the trick system. Players have a lot of freedom when they are airborne, but they are limited by gravity and can’t pull off an absurd string of tricks in a short time or stay in the air forever. A recovery system also limits players from attempting another huge jump right after they wipe out. This is a refreshing change from other ski and snowboard games where 1080 rotations and double back flips can be strung together without a second thought.
The way in which set challenges meld seamlessly into open world exploration is also very cool.
The footage from this early build looks a little rougher than the Gamescom gameplay trailer, but that’s to be expected. The rag doll physics of wipeouts, the life-like snow imprints, and the crisp sounds of wind, snow, and heavy breathing are still very impressive.
Ubisoft is currently recruiting gamers for Steep’s open beta. More information is available on their website.
Steep is coming to Xbox One, PS4, and PC on December 2.