Reviews for the new skate are out, but the game lacks the edge, culture, and content that made the series so great. Reactions are mixed, and complaints are piling up

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Wow, it’s been 18 years since the original *Skate* came out! I remember being blown away by it because it felt so different from the *Tony Hawk* games. Those were all about button-mashing, but *Skate*’s “Flick-It” system – actually using the sticks to do tricks – felt so much more realistic and, honestly, harder to master. That difficulty was part of what made it so rewarding, though. Well, after waiting almost 15 years for *Skate 3*, the series is back with this free-to-play Early Access version… and honestly, it’s a bit of a disappointment. With only 42% positive reviews on Steam, it’s clear this isn’t the reboot fans like me were hoping for.

It’s still Skate, just without the Skate vibe

Originally announced in June 2020, the long-awaited game, known to many as *Skate 4*, has finally been released. However, excitement has been tempered by the fact that it’s a free-to-play multiplayer game, requiring a constant internet connection and including in-game purchases. Now, it seems the issues are even more significant than initially thought. Let’s see what players are saying in their Steam reviews.

If you’re looking for a true successor to Skate 1, 2, and 3, this isn’t it.

The game has been drastically simplified, removing almost everything players enjoyed in previous versions – things like the Hall of Meat, Game of Skate, and story missions featuring pro skaters. What’s left feels like a shallow attempt to make money, especially considering it includes a fully stocked in-game store and was released as a large 7GB beta.

– Cidy

The game has some fun areas for pulling off impressive tricks and others that feel more grounded in realistic skating. However, it lacks the variety of locations found in Skate 3. I didn’t stay engaged for very long because there wasn’t much incentive to continue playing, and I found the frequent prompts to open loot boxes and visit the store to be irritating.

– Enzevil

This game is hilarious and sad, its skate devoid of everything that makes it skate.

Though this new game is a reboot after 14 years, it feels incomplete, lacking many features and the unique vibe of the original Skate 3.

– Strawberry_Arsonist

And here’s my favorite line that keeps popping up in reviews:

look how they massacred my boy

Overall, the new skate game is a letdown compared to what fans hoped for with Skate 4. While the “Flick-It” system is a bright spot, much of the game feels disconnected from the original Skate series. Instead of a game packed with content and nostalgic elements, it’s a free-to-play, multiplayer-focused experience with a cartoonish look, battle passes, experience point grinding, and a lot of in-game purchases. It’s missing the authentic skate culture and rebellious spirit of the earlier games, and the always-online requirement means players can be stuck waiting in server queues even if they just want to play by themselves.

Despite some criticisms, many players are pointing out that the game is still under development as an Early Access title, so it’s normal for it to be missing some features. Let’s take a look at the developers’ roadmap, which they released a few weeks ago, to see what’s planned.

The game currently centers around temporary, seasonal events that offer challenges and cosmetic items. While cooperative play and new game modes sound good, we need more information to know if they’ll truly address what players are asking for. It feels like the developers haven’t quite captured the essence of what makes a *Skate* game great, and if they intended to create something drastically different, they haven’t succeeded.

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2025-09-17 13:04