Ski Hard: Lorsbruck 1978

[b][i]Ski Hard: Lorsbruck 1978[/i] has some really neat qualites in an Itch.io kind of way, but is far too thin for the asking price.[/b] The visuals are A+ but the actual gameplay is sitting at around a D, being overly simplilstic and just a wonky and broken physics game. And sometimes wonky physics is a good thing, but not here. I went in perhaps expecting an indie 3D version of that old Windows [i]SkiFree[/i] game, and while there is a touch of that, it just doesn't keep my attention. [i]Essentially, you use WASD to move, speed up and slow down.[/i] Controlling the character feels like trying to steer a flimsy piece of cardboard down a windy mountainside. Ironically they actually look like cardboard cutouts too. The whole thing feels like it is on ice, and it's not a subtle feeling. The best part of the game is the absolutely gorgeous visuals. The angle at which you are cruising down the mountain offers a breath-taking view. If it weren't for the controls, this would be a wonderful zen game to play on a snowy day with a cup of coffee in hand. At the end of the day, the goal is to chase your scores, and sadly Steam Leaderboards are not implemented. That may have been a redeeming…

[h1]Ski Hard: Lorsbruck 1978[/h1] Does everyone remember the legendary winter themed penguin sliding level from the classic [i]Mario 64[/i]? Of course, who wouldn't. It was memorable for being a frustrating yet fun and interesting new kind of minigame, with lots of retries and time lost to racing the speedy penguin down the slopes for that perfect time and maybe even a star. Well, that's what I was reminded of at least when playing later levels of [i]Ski Hard[/i] with its selection of zig-zagging icy passageways with steep dropoffs and slippery controls. It's a challenging combination that's likely to make your palms sweat, just like in the good old days of gaming! [h1]Gameplay[/h1] Set out before you on each stage is an impressive pattern of snowy track.You choose your first skiier out of the four determined snow shredders and you're off to hit the first of courses. It feels simple and easy enough, you can lean forward for speed or back to slow down and resituate yourself and you can steer to the left or to the right with pinpoint accuracy. There's gates to weave between and starting out it's a pretty casual affair of guiding yourself through the mostly straightforward pathway…

The music is probably the best thing about this game. Chill, minimalist tunes ranging from a kinda chillwave to stoner rock. Controlling the little skiing lad is hard. Once you've got the hang of it, the game's fun to play and is really laid back, but all it takes it hitting one polygon wrong and your lad is flying off the mountain. Still fun though. [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtgKk1t_Fvs]Here's a link to a more in depth VIDEO REVIEW[/url].

Like a 3D version of Ski Free, except with challenges and endings and no yeti, so maybe not that much like Ski Free other than the fact you can ski, pretty cool game with a lot to explore. https://youtu.be/nVh80WOWN2o

Ski Hard: Lorsbruck is an interesting game to review. It delivers what it sets out to, and the developer is extremely honest about how hard and unrealistic it is. It feels like a 3d version of SkiFree, although it has a lot more going for it than the 1990s original. I've played quite a few hours of SkiHard, and after smashing my fist against the desk numerous times, not because I've messed up, but because the game has just decided to part my player from his skis on a patch of ground that was previously working... Or that my player left the ground for a microsecond and that "lean on the turn button" suddenly became "spin uncontrollably", sending me off into the powder.... This game badly needs a control overhaul and a playability overhaul. In and of itself, the game is pretty fun and offers a lot of variety with the game modes and challenges.. However as the game carries on, the game doesn't get harder, it just gets more infuriating. You have to remember that the later levels are more complex, and by more complex I mean 'bumpy', and the moment the game gets bumpy, the controls go to hell in a handbasket. Which means that you start out in early levels with a relatively…

The skiing feels terrible and the courses are way too demanding. The aesthetic is ugly as hell and there's no 21:9 support. I honestly cannot think of a single positive thing I could say about this game. It's just agonizing to try and play.