It’s been over a decade since we’ve been able to skate on virtual pavement and execute seemingly impossible tricks! But now, the franchise is back. The newest installment, Skate., developed by Full Circle and published by Electronic Arts, is a free-to-play video game.
Teens aged 13 and older can play as long as they own a PlayStation 4 or 5, an Xbox One, an Xbox Series X or S, or a PC (downloadable via Steam, the Epic Games Store, or the EA app). Early access began on September 16, 2025.
The game is a sports open-world title set in the fictional city of San Vansterdam, which is divided into four distinct sections: Hedgemont, Gullcrest Village, Market Mile, and Brickswich. The objective is to skate and complete challenges (of which there are plenty) across the map. Each of the four sections offers unique and exciting spots to explore.
Starting in San Vansterdam
The game begins on the tutorial island where you learn the basics of skating: the different tricks, how to turn and move, and how to get on and off your board. Once you’ve completed the tutorial, you are sent to San Vansterdam.
Now, players can complete challenges, skate their favorite spots with friends, shop for clothes and gear, and even create their own spots using the Quick Drop feature. This tool lets you instantly add ramps, rails, or flats to your favorite locations.
There are many great spots to skate in the city of San Vansterdam; some of the popular ones include Tri Towers, the Parking Garage, and The Orb. This is where you will find most of the player base, as these areas are home to popular gaps and other challenges that people frequently attempt to complete.
Innovative Controls and New Features
The controls are more innovative in this game compared to others in the franchise because of the new “Flick It” controls, which make performing tricks easier and less restrictive. The addition of flipping, climbing, and rolling off the board is also new. The menus are easy to navigate and allow you to quickly teleport to other players, fast travel around the map, and change your settings, making the game very friendly to new users.
While the core concept is very much like the others in the franchise, there is a significant change in the graphic style. Skate 3 and the other games had a more gritty and grounded aesthetic, featuring character scrapes and dirty clothes. In contrast, Skate. has a more modern, cartoonish, and artsy style.
Criticisms and Missing Features
This stylistic shift has been criticized, as has the controversial removal of several beloved tricks and features:
- Missing Tricks: Fingerflips, underflips, grab grinds, grab flips, advanced lip tricks, handplants, and board walking tricks like primo and casper have all been removed.
- Hall of Meat: The popular feature that tracked and scored your character’s injuries is gone.
- Skitching: The ability to grab onto the back of cars is no longer an option.
However, a fun new feature is the ability to make your own playlist by collecting songs across the map. You can play this playlist at any time to elevate your skating experience.
Final Verdict
The game’s return is a refreshing experience for all players. The new innovative controls, creative customization options, and sprawling open-world map are a really nice touch. The sheer number of challenges and spots available will keep you entertained for hours.
However, the removal of beloved tricks and features like the Hall of Meat and Skitching may not be popular with longtime fans of the franchise. Furthermore, the cartoonish art style is a stark departure from the older games’ grounded aesthetic and might be a turn-off.
Ultimately, Skate. is a fun experience, but it lacks the variety of tricks and features of its predecessors. It’s not a perfect game, and for that, I will rate it a 6 out of 10.
