by Daniel Owens

Created on: July 12, 2009   Last Updated: July 15, 2009

A lot of sports games have been released on consoles over the years, alot never pushed the benchmark on gaming. This was the same with Skateboarding games. Although Tony Hawks was a big step for sports games, it was still just a button-mashing session. Sports games are meant to be about skill, strategy and alot of screaming at your TV when you fail. Electronic Arts(EA) have stepped up to the plate with the release of Skate, a game they can truly be proud of. Delivering not only next-gen graphics but a whole new way to do tricks, they completely re-invented skating games.

The Controls 8/10

The controls are what set SKATE aside from the rest of the games, and it all lies in the right thumbstick. All your tricks are initiated by flicking and performing different gestures with the right thumbstick. Want to do an ollie? Push the right thumbstick down to make your player bend your knees then quickly push it upwards to launch into an ollie. This intuitive design means skating is a lot more technical and requires more skill than just button-mashing your way through the game.

The Gameplay 9/10

SKATE plays a lot like other skateboarding titles, the opening scene is you skating in real life footage. The opening scene looks a lot similar to a jackass introduction, and ends in you getting hit by a bus. After some intensive surgery you are released from hospital and of course the first thing you could ever think of doing was going straight back to skateboarding, I mean rehab is for the weak! The objective of the game is to ultimately get on the cover of THRASHER magazine, along with Skateboard Magazine and a surprise competition you will take part in SKATE competitions (Like HORSE), death races, and jam sessions. There is plenty to do that will keep you busy for hours.

The Graphics 7/10

Detail and texture resolutions are relatively high, bloom lighting and physics are all involved. Most of this is pretty common these days, and don't expect any Tony Hawks style pixelated graphics here, this game is definitely the best graphics I have seen from a skateboarding game. There is not much to be said about the graphics, just take a look at some screenshots.

Normally I would add a story section to the review, but since when does skateboarding need a story. Overall the game has a lot of replay value and will have you and friends spending hours just skating around finding new spots to hit. SKATE is definitely a title to be bought instead of rented, add it to your game library and you won't regret it.

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