Game Reviews

After Tony Hawk: Ride massively disappointed, it was a foregone conclusion that Skate 3 would be the best new skateboarding game in town. Even if its chief rival has set a low standard, developer EA Black Box should be praised for sticking to a tried-and-true gameplay formula while finding new ways to keep things fresh and lively this third time around.

If you played either of the previous Skate games, you'll be able to jump right into Skate 3. A few new tricks spice things up, including the impressive dark slide: a difficult maneuver where you flip the board grip tape-side down before a grind. Skate 3 also addresses difficulty concerns by adding an easy mode (harder to bail, easier tricks) and a hardcore mode for the sadists out there who’ve lost sight of this being a game and would prefer more realistic real-world physics. An optional manual meter and on-screen trick analyzer provide further assistance for those who have trouble mastering the finer aspects of skating.

While it takes considerable effort, getting a grasp on Skate 3's controls is exceptionally satisfying. That first time you successfully trick into a grind, clear a particularly challenging obstacle, or win a heated race will bring about a fist pump-worthy feeling of accomplishment that simply can't be measured by achievement points. Try "killing" challenges (with tougher requirements) instead of merely "owning" them for the ultimate bragging rights.

Skate 3's analog stick-driven control scheme is all about precision and timing, so it can take some time to learn the ropes. That process is made more entertaining by the addition of Jason Lee (My Name is Earl, Mallrats), an accomplished skater and a natural fit for the role of Skate 3's Coach Frank. Lee's mustachioed, headband-rocking character is a motivational teacher on par with the Tony Little and Billy Blanks. He slaps the tutorial content into the same goofy context as the rest of Skate 3 -- a tongue-in-cheek, never-too-serious approach to storytelling that deliberately mimics the humor and the casual vibe of the homegrown skate video.