skate. Review - 9/10
Whilst it was announced EA Black Box, of the smash-hit "Need for Speed" series, had been in development of an all-new skateboarding franchise, for PS3, and 360, many had started to worry that this would be the next victim to fall behind Neversoft's hugely-popular "Tony Hawk" franchise, however, it was also announced that this new skateboarding videogame, entitled skate., would take an all-new, and more complex, direction of gameplay, and would go in direct competition with the latest "Tony Hawk" game, 'Proving Ground'.
Upon it's arrival, skate. had proved to be exceeding over expectations, ditching Tony Hawk's Proving Ground in the middle of nowhere, resulting in a surprising defeat against Neversoft's long-time money-making series.
So what's the verdict?
skate. is an all-new skateboarding-based videogame, introducing a new direction of gameplay, and style, where players are required to complete challenges, photoshoots, and films in order to become a pro-skater.
[7.0] Audio
skate. features excellent sound-effects, and good voice-acting, from some of the most popular pro-skaters around the world, however, the soundtrack is far from great, including around 45 songs on the playlist, with only few decent tracks.
[8.0] Visuals
EA's skate. arrives with greatly-detailed, and vibrant environments, with excellent character, and 'fluid' skateboard-animations, however, these visuals suffer from little framerate-issues, but it's hardly bothering.
[9.0] Gameplay
skate. features the innovation of an all-new, and intriguing, control-system, in the skateboarding genre, which involves the use of toggling the right analog-stick in certain ways to pull off tricks, instead of having to use different, and confusing button-combinations, however, a fair few tries would you pull the wrong trick, and can get frustrating at times.
At the beginning of the game, you are required to create your own skater, creating the facial structure, weight, hair etc., and edit anytime during the game.
Players can also earn money from completing different challenges, participating in photoshoots, and films throughout the game, which rewards you with sponsors, and will allow you to buy different items, such as new skateboards, trucks, wheels, shoes, hats, clothing etc.
[8.0] Lifespan
EA's skate. is set in the fictional city of San Vanelona, a skateboarding paradise, with four massive free-roaming locations, including Suburbs, The Res, Downtown, and Old Town, and is sure to take up alot of your time.
You are required to complete challenges, and participate in photoshoots, and films, which will earn your photoshoot on the front-page of either Skateboard Mag, or Thrasher, and reward you with sponsors, but can get difficult at certain points, with the main story probably fetching around ten hours, but the huge free-roaming, skateboarding paradise, that is San Vaneolna, offers much more gameplay.
"skate."
[9.0] Overall
EA's skate. is the beginning of an all-new skateboarding franchise, placing it in direct competition with Activision's "Tony Hawk" series.
skate.'s control-system is excellent, the visuals are greatly-detailed, with a decent soundtrack, and the largely free-roaming environments allow you freedom, skateboard anywhere, San Vanelona itself is practically a massive skate park.
Submitted by mordillo92
17/12/2007
7
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