The Ramp is a premium sports game for PC created by a sole developer named Paul Schnepf. It is a skating title designed with simplicity and ease of gameplay in mind. Players can literally drop into the action right away and perform tricks with intuitive controls.

Having more in common with Tanuki Sunset or SkateBIRD, The Ramp is a skateboarding game that offers a more chill and relaxed gameplay that results in a distinct experience than what most fans are used to. There are no high scores or unlockables here, just pure and simple skating.

A skateboarding playground

In a nutshell, The Ramp is skateboarding in its basest and purest form. It is unapologetically simple and uncomplicated, and that is part of its charm and appeal. There are no rules, high scores to reach, or any special unlockable items here. Instead, it focuses on the basics and what's truly important, skating itself. The same goes for its controls which are intuitive and easy to learn.

Once you get familiar with the controls, you can try out the game's four unique levels, namely a half-pipe, an empty pool, two connected bowls, and a mega-ramp. You will start with a basic back and forth motion for gaining speed and momentum. From there, you can spin while mid-air to perform various tricks. You can also do a neat slide when you're near a ledge.

The trick names will flash on the screen if you successfully pull them off—a thoughtful feature to help newcomers to learn more about skateboarding. To reiterate, this is a casual game and was not designed to be a full-fledged skateboarding game. As such, some players might find its gameplay too simplistic and lacking in variety. For others, though, it will be just what they're looking for.

Go with the flow

If you've been knee-deep in skateboarding games like Tony Hawk Pro Skater or Session, and want a break from all the grinding, The Ramp is just what you've been looking for. It offers a completely different experience that is more relaxing, cathartic even. It offers simple yet satisfying gameplay that is paired with a minimalistic and charming presentation. This one's highly recommended and pretty much a must-play.