Game Review - Skate 2

Skate 2 isn't much of a move forward from the original but that also isn't a bad thing. Who can truly say that the Tony Hawks series moved forward in the first few games? Who can say it progressed up to 'Proving Ground'? Like its rival, Skate 2 has added a few new moves including hand plants, foot plants, copious modifiers and additions as such. If you have played the original you will be able to pick up and bust out the same tricks you are used to.

The most drastic change is the 'magical' ability to get off of your board, something that was expected of the series. This is a great concept meaning no more frustrating situations getting stuck at the bottom of a stairwell having forgotten to put a marker down. However, this is also the games biggest flaw as when on two feet the game becomes very heavy and sluggish. It feels like your character has the inability to turn in a fluid motion and rather takes steps, it really is quite poor for a game that is so fast-paced otherwise. What seems to have a major change in game play has slowed the game down considerably, it doesn't feel natural. If you can get your head round this (which you will have to at certain points in the game) then you can set up some very impressive lines and having skate myself, the satisfaction of nailing your own set up is excellent.

Another let down of the new game is the new ability to transport to a goal or task. Part of the original skate was to get from A to B by skating, it's in the name of the game! Now you can just do a task, then appear at the next, and the next etc. I really don't like this because it was such an integral part of the game and now you can just teleport. You don't have to do this but the temptation is too big, casual gamers will use it and even hardcore ones will be unable to resist at times.

Still, if you liked the original skate then you will loved the new one (even if it's just the same amount of love!). I expect most fans on the original to pick up the sequel especially as there is no competition from a certain Mr. Hawk this season. The game has added extras including a hilarious hall of meat mode - where you must induce the biggest crash possible. This could be a game in itself! Also the addition of an online free skate is very well done, any person in the session can propose mini goals for everyone to co-operatively work towards including a very difficult 'trick at the same moment'.

Skate 2 is great even if it is not that much of a move forward in the series, but like Tony Hawks there isn't a great deal more a skateboarding game can do. Personally I love it, it's a nice chilled out game when compared to the intensity of playing Gears of CoD. If you liked the first one, this is definitely worth a look.

Skate 2
released 23rd January 2009


8.2/10

Achievements:

Fairly similar to the first game, complete X amount of goals, reach legend in online points etc. New additions like complete activities and break X amount of bones follow in the same suit. There are no ratings achievements like on the original so no frustrating last one to obtain. If you love the game, ultimately you should reach your 1000G, you just have to put the hours in.