The New Skate Game Has ‘Mixed’ Steam Reviews: Here’s Why Fans Are Divided

After years of anticipation, the long-awaited new game in the Skate franchise has officially launched into Early Access, but its reception on Steam has been anything but a smooth ride. Despite a massive number of concurrent players at launch, the game has quickly landed a “Mixed” user review score. The community is deeply divided, with some praising the core gameplay while others are calling it a “soulless cash-grab.” This article breaks down the key reasons behind the fan frustration and what it means for the future of the game.

The new Skate game, developed by Full Circle and published by EA, has been one of the most highly anticipated titles in the skateboarding genre. However, a significant portion of the user base is expressing disappointment with the final product, which they feel has strayed too far from the beloved original trilogy. The mixed reviews highlight a number of core issues, from a lack of content and a perceived shift in art style to aggressive monetization and persistent server problems.

What’s Working: The Core Gameplay

One point of universal agreement among both positive and negative reviews is that the game’s core skateboarding mechanics are excellent. The iconic “Flick-It” control system, which made the original games so popular, has been refined and feels as good as ever. Players are enjoying the fluid animations and the satisfying feeling of pulling off complex tricks. The physics are praised for striking a perfect balance between realism and fun, allowing for the kind of creative and impressive lines that the series is known for. For players who simply want to hop on a board and skate, the game delivers on that fundamental promise. Many positive reviews state that the pure act of skating is a joyful and engaging experience, which is the most important part of any skateboarding game.

The Major Criticisms: Why Fans Are Disappointed

While the core gameplay is strong, nearly every other aspect of the game is facing severe criticism from the community. Here are the main issues driving the “Mixed” reviews:

• Lack of Content: This is the most common complaint. Fan-favorite features from the previous games are notably absent. There is no Hall of Meat, a popular mode for seeing how much damage you could inflict on your character. There are also no S.K.A.T.E. missions, no death races, and no proper single-player story mode with real-life pros. Instead, players are left with a smaller, more lifeless open-world map and a repetitive series of online challenges that many feel are boring and uninspired.
• Aggressive Monetization: As a free-to-play title, the game relies on microtransactions and in-game purchases. Players are frustrated that many cool cosmetic items and customization options are locked behind paywalls. The game is also described as a “soulless cash-grab” that constantly pushes you to spend money. For many fans who would have preferred to pay for a complete, finished game, this live-service model is a major turn-off.
• Art Style and World Design: The game’s new art style, which is much cleaner and brighter than the grittier look of the original trilogy, is a point of contention. Some players have compared the aesthetic to Fortnite or a generic mobile game, saying that it lacks the unique character and counter-culture feel of the original series. The game world itself, San Vansterdam, is also criticized for feeling empty and sanitized.
• Technical Issues: On launch day, the game was plagued by severe server issues, with long queues and frequent disconnections preventing many players from even getting into the game. While these issues have largely been addressed, they left a sour taste in the mouths of many early adopters.

The Road Ahead: Early Access and the Live Service Model

It is important to remember that the new Skate game is in Early Access, meaning it is not a finished product. The developers, Full Circle, have already outlined an extensive roadmap for future content, including new areas, events, and gameplay modes. The “live service” model means the game will evolve over time, with new content being added in seasons. However, the current state of the game has created a significant trust issue with the community. Many fans feel that the developers released a barebones experience to focus on monetization first, and they are skeptical that the game will ever live up to the legacy of its predecessors.

For now, the game remains a mixed bag. For those who can overlook the missing content and live-service elements, the core skating experience is genuinely fun. However, for the many fans who have been waiting for a true successor to Skate 3, the game is a disappointment. The coming months will be crucial for the developer to prove that they can deliver on their promises and win back the trust of the community. As of now, the new Skate game serves as a clear example of the risks and rewards of the modern free-to-play, live-service model.