New Free-to-Play skate. Hits Early Access with Massive Player Count, Mixed Reception
The highly anticipated free-to-play installment in Electronic Arts' popular skateboarding series, simply titled skate., has officially rolled into Early Access. Developed by Full Circle, the game quickly captured the attention of over two million players shortly after its launch. However, this initial surge in popularity is met with a lukewarm reception, as its average rating on Steam currently sits at a “Mixed” 51% based on more than ten thousand user reviews.
Much of the initial criticism from the player base points towards various technical issues. Players have reported problems with server stability, leading to frustratingly long queues and interruptions in gameplay. Beyond the technical hiccups, specific complaints have also surfaced regarding the game's physics, its monetization model, and other core gameplay elements.
One passionate player, known as 'Capo,' who claims to have played all previous Skate titles and extensively playtested this new version, shared a detailed critique. While acknowledging a decent feel to the updated gameplay despite missing some trick mechanics, Capo's overall sentiment is one of disappointment. He highlights a noticeable absence of a compelling story or lore, describing the experience as a monotonous grind through repetitive challenges designed to level up locations and earn currency for loot boxes. The soundtrack and customization options also come under fire, with limited brand variety and an abundance of microtransactions drawing particular ire. Capo suggests the game lacks the "soul" of its predecessors and feels disconnected from what true skateboarders might expect, even pointing out awkward dialogue that makes the game feel more like a parody. Ultimately, he expresses a preference for a full-priced sequel over the current free-to-play offering, concluding that while mindlessly cruising around can be enjoyable, the game is largely disappointing.
skate. is currently available on PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and the EA App, as well as on PlayStation and Xbox platforms. The developers plan for the game to remain in Early Access for approximately one year. This extended period will hopefully allow Full Circle to address the significant player feedback and iron out the technical and gameplay issues that are currently impacting the game's reception. For players eager to jump in, it’s clear that while the core skateboarding might offer some fun, the surrounding elements are still very much a work in progress.
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