It’s no secret that it’s been about… too many years since the last Skate installment. And if you’re anything like me you’ve been chasing that thrill you got from Skate 3 back in the day. Playing games like Skater XL or Tony Hawk to fulfill those epic skate seshs, but they weren’t quite filling that Skate-shaped hole for you. Well skate. is right around the corner with an early access release date in September!
How well does Skate play?
Depending on your experience with the series, you’ll be so very familiar with the gameplay in this installment. Loading up the game, they give you the option between a streamlined set of updated controls to which I say BLASPHEMY! I went straight to classic controls, and I picked up like I never stopped playing.
For an early access build, everything feels impressively polished. The skating is smooth, the physics are well thought out, and I never once hit those random awkward spots where your board just… gets stuck.
One of the biggest standouts is the Quick Drop system. More than once I’d be cruising around, stumble onto a spot, and think, “Man, this needs a rail right here.” Boom—Quick Drop makes it happen. It’s a brilliant feature that keeps everything feeling authentic to Skate’s spirit, while giving you the tools to shape the world the way skaters actually dream about it.
How big is the San Vansterdam map?
Long story short, San Vansterdam is huge. The map is divided into four distinct areas (though only three were open during early access), each with its own personality. There’s a San Francisco-style downtown, a sunny beach city, and a gritty industrial zone—and from what I could glimpse, the locked-off area looks like it hides a giant stadium, which screams X Games potential. Even just skating around the base level feels massive, packed with hidden spots where you can experiment with lines or pull off ridiculous stunts. But the real kicker is how vertical it all is. Thanks to surprisingly solid parkour mechanics, you can scale skyscrapers, drop into rooftop pools, and find secret skate spots in places you’d never expect. It makes exploration feel worthwhile, and it’s the kind of thing that leads to some incredible—and hilarious—clips.
How is the multiplayer in Skate?
If you’ve skated in real life, you know it’s as much about the community as the tricks. In Skate, I’d randomly run into other players who would wave me down and show off a cool spot they’d found, and we’d just take turns seeing who could pull off the better line. It feels organic, almost exactly like skating with friends in real life. Honestly, I can’t wait for full release so I can jump in with my crew and run proper games of SKATE.
Is Skate worth the wait?
After fifteen years, expectations were sky high, and I was nervous about Skate being free-to-play. Usually, that means microtransactions galore. But so far, it doesn’t feel like that’s going to ruin the experience. Personally, I’d rather pay $60 upfront for a game full of unlockable gear than be nickel-and-dimed by battle passes and cosmetics every month—but even as-is, spending money isn’t necessary. It’s a concern, but not a dealbreaker, especially since the core game feels so strong.
At the end of the day, this early access build proves that Skate still has its soul. It feels like a true next-gen evolution of the series while keeping the energy that made the originals so beloved. Fans who’ve been waiting all these years won’t be disappointed.
How will Skate be updated?
The iconic Flick-It system has been rebuilt in Frostbite, feeling sharper and more precise than ever, with new tricks like powerslides and wallies expanding what’s possible. For newcomers, there’s the Skatepedia, a clever in-game guide to tricks and styles that makes diving in more approachable. San Vansterdam will keep growing with fresh spots, challenges, and seasonal content, while customization is set to expand with more options for style and expression—including tattoos.
Seasonal drops look ambitious too. Season 1 is a throwback to the golden age of ‘90s skateboarding, with new areas, cosmetics, music tracks, and themed events like Skate-o-Ween and the 7-Ply Maple Harvest. Later seasons promise fan-requested features like improved replay tools, party voice chat, and even tricks like impossibles and darkslides. And of course, the skate. pass will keep players grinding with both free and premium tracks of challenges and rewards.
When will Skate be released?
Lucky for us, skate. launches into Early Access on September 16 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store and EA app. It’s right there! I’m so ready for the full release.
