Skater XL

 PlayStation 4
User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 106 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 106
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 106
  3. Negative: 43 out of 106
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  1. pollyparkinson
    Jul 29, 2020
    5
    I had really high hopes for this game, the mechanics and the way tricks feel is pretty cool with a majority of it feeling pretty realistic. But, there is like no content. The thing that annoyed me the most was the fact that irl I skate goofy, so i change my stance in the free world and try a challenge. Turns out you have to skate regular in the challenges, making me have to learn theI had really high hopes for this game, the mechanics and the way tricks feel is pretty cool with a majority of it feeling pretty realistic. But, there is like no content. The thing that annoyed me the most was the fact that irl I skate goofy, so i change my stance in the free world and try a challenge. Turns out you have to skate regular in the challenges, making me have to learn the controls backwards. With all said it's good fun but not enough content or fun to be the next Skate 3.… Expand
  2. P4NCH0theD0G
    Jul 31, 2020
    6
    The mechanics are great, but the rest... It's very underwhelming. I used to skate when I was young until an accident made that pretty much impossible, so I really enjoy the controls, the feeling of doing the tricks (albeit with your fingers and not your feet). The problems, bugs, janky physics, mediocre graphics, and way too short soundtrack aside, is a general lack of... let's call itThe mechanics are great, but the rest... It's very underwhelming. I used to skate when I was young until an accident made that pretty much impossible, so I really enjoy the controls, the feeling of doing the tricks (albeit with your fingers and not your feet). The problems, bugs, janky physics, mediocre graphics, and way too short soundtrack aside, is a general lack of... let's call it gameplay aspects. One thing I keep coming back to compare it to is Ubisoft's Steep. Just riding down a mountain by yourself is very similar to skating in Skater XL feels, but Steep had challenges, different sports, whole mountains to explore and ride, multiplayer, competitions, user created content, ... Skater XL has a few good maps, but that's it. It's rare that I fully agree with a major gaming site review, but the IGN review pretty much nails my experience of Skater XL. It feels like an Alpha, a tech demo, but not a "game". Now, purists might take offense at that, and I'm not saying there's no joy in nailing a great line, in mastering tricks and the controls. But the utter lack of everything else - combined with the last-gen graphics and bugs - only gets you so far. The in game "challenges" just show you tutorial videos, and I'm not even sure if they're more than that. Without the PC's modding tools and community and the lack of a content creator akin to Trials or Steep, Skater XL is more proof of concept - a very good concept that I will play for quite some time. But it's not enough to be considered a game - especially at that price point (35 GBP). It's unpolished, lacking content, and in just a few hours of playing I know almost all the songs by heart - there's like eight songs or something?

    I don't know if Skater XL will expand, new maps, new features, updated graphics, but I don't see how this can be considered a 1.0 version with a AA price point. There's great potential and a great basis with the wonderful mechanics, but there's just a lack of content and polish that is hard to ignore.    … Expand
  3. SWERY_51
    Jul 30, 2020
    7
    Probably the very best gameplay mechanics you could find in a Skateboarding video game. Tricks are based on physics engine, and it's kind of amazing to be honest. But, that's it.

    The rest looks like an early Alpha version of what could become a nice videogame in a more or less close future. Technically a mess, with annoying framerate issues (PS4 PRO), collision glitch everywhere, a    Probably the very best gameplay mechanics you could find in a Skateboarding video game. Tricks are based on physics engine, and it's kind of amazing to be honest. But, that's it.

    The rest looks like an early Alpha version of what could become a nice videogame in a more or less close future. Technically a mess, with annoying framerate issues (PS4 PRO), collision glitch everywhere, a tutorial that overheats the console, and a very small content (few maps with some challenge, that's all). For $40, it's a nonsense right?

    But I bought it anyway, because i wanted to encourage the development team, and because I'm pretty sure this game can become the best Skateboarding sim ever made. For the moment my score will be a little harsh, but it's not definitive, I hope to see improvements and more content in months to come...    … Expand
  4. rooderthanyou
    Jul 30, 2020
    5
    Had very high hopes for this game as Skate 3 is one of my favourite games of all time and I was really keen for a fresh new skate game.

    Mechanics are really quite good, skating feels fun and overall decent, substantially better then Session which tries similar mechanics but falls short in its execution. Graphics are pretty abysmal however, which wouldn't be a big deal but the    Had very high hopes for this game as Skate 3 is one of my favourite games of all time and I was really keen for a fresh new skate game.

    Mechanics are really quite good, skating feels fun and overall decent, substantially better then Session which tries similar mechanics but falls short in its execution.

    Graphics are pretty abysmal however, which wouldn't be a big deal but the framerate on a PS4Pro is incredibly unstable and navigating menus the entire game freezes up for a few seconds with each new selection. I understand its a small studio but this type of performance is really upsetting.

    Very little actual content, its fun to skate around but with no career or pedestrians/moving cars the entire game feels incredibly empty. A shame because the core mechanics are great, it just needs more polish.

    Returned the game because at full price this is most certainly not worth it. Pick it up at a sale price of under $20 and you'll have a fun few hours with it, or wait and see if patches fix the lack of content and terrible framerate, in the meantime i'm back to playing Skate 3 on the One X in backwards compatible mode which not only looks better but has a lot more content.    … Expand
  5. RadX
    Jul 31, 2020
    6
    I'm not really sure what score to give this game..
    On one hand, I really enjoy the controls even though there are some bugs (popping the board even when you don't intend to etc) and limitations (no ability to flatland making certain grabs or back/front-spinning)
    And I really enjoy making videos. On the other hand, optimisation is really, and I mean REALLY bad, framerate issues, long load    I'm not really sure what score to give this game..
    On one hand, I really enjoy the controls even though there are some bugs (popping the board even when you don't intend to etc) and limitations (no ability to flatland making certain grabs or back/front-spinning)

    And I really enjoy making videos.

    On the other hand, optimisation is really, and I mean REALLY bad, framerate issues, long load times, endless loading that require you to restart the game (only happened twice, but hey... Not OK)

    Graphics are sub-par for a ps4 title, but for what this game is, I don't mind it if it wasn't for the horrible framerates and microstutters.

    It lacks content for sure, but that will probably be patched in with updates later on.

    I'll give this a 6/10 at the moment and would like to let the devs know that they can't go slacking off, there's work to be done :)    … Expand
  6. Drunkenbagpipe
    Jul 31, 2020
    5
    Skater XL is mediocre at best, the game has a good control scheme and looks good, but it lacks personality. There not much to do here than just skate around and do tricks, no story, no challenges besides the tricks. The game would really shine if there were other skaters in the maps with you, either A.I or real players, instead it's just bland empty maps by yourself. Maybe later the willSkater XL is mediocre at best, the game has a good control scheme and looks good, but it lacks personality. There not much to do here than just skate around and do tricks, no story, no challenges besides the tricks. The game would really shine if there were other skaters in the maps with you, either A.I or real players, instead it's just bland empty maps by yourself. Maybe later the will add multiplayer, as that is what this game needs, or some kind of single player content. As of now Skater XL is just a glorified beta, that looks and controls good.
    It's a 5 for now, but more content will only raise the score.    … Expand
  7. Aleonetti
    Jul 31, 2020
    7
    This game focuses on super controllable skate physics and once you get it down it's incredibly satisfying.You can time any trick as fast or slow as you want and also modify how it moves depending on the angle you move the joysticks at. Difficulty comes from learning how to do specific tricks on command; however, the tricks that are most difficult in real life come off easily in game. TheThis game focuses on super controllable skate physics and once you get it down it's incredibly satisfying.You can time any trick as fast or slow as you want and also modify how it moves depending on the angle you move the joysticks at. Difficulty comes from learning how to do specific tricks on command; however, the tricks that are most difficult in real life come off easily in game. The challenge list for each map is great and gives specific focus on tricks, I think this is where the game shines.
    Outside of that free skate is fun but aimless, unless you have specific tricks/lines you come up with it isn't very engaging. Since there are no NPCs or traffic you feel alone as you skate through downtown LA, a weird sensation IMO.
    Some customization is available for your skater but options are quite limited.
    Could definitely use multiplayer, more customization, some sort of story/challenge structure, and NPCs to make it feel more alive. These additions would take the game to an 8.5 for me. A 9 would be if all lag and small bugs were also completely removed as they occur sometimes.
    If you are interested in skateboarding or enjoyed any past skateboarding games, this is worth playing.    … Expand
  8. Frankistein
    Aug 5, 2020
    7
    Good looking start of skate games, but there a lot fo things to change in future updates:

    - create your own skatepark - add maps (now its too poor) - there is no aim in this game or career (from the very begining till the professional skateboarder) - add music player to change tracks during gameplay - add life to maps (people,cars,animals etc) So, according that this game is    Good looking start of skate games, but there a lot fo things to change in future updates:

    - create your own skatepark
    - add maps (now its too poor)
    - there is no aim in this game or career (from the very begining till the professional skateboarder)
    - add music player to change tracks during gameplay
    - add life to maps (people,cars,animals etc)

    So, according that this game is start project you have to work more harder and listen to your players and it will be success.    … Expand
  9. ZzjimbozZ
    Jul 31, 2020
    5
    The skating feels fun and overall decent, the price of the game is too high
  10. K4tana
    Jul 31, 2020
    5
    Skater xl tries to scratch a itch that has been in the gaming universe for the last 10 years, but unfortunately for all the good it tries to do it's just not enough, there's a huge lack of content and besides free roaming there's nothing to do really, the game has some activities but they are just boring and don't go further than a glorified tutorial. The physics are ok being able to justSkater xl tries to scratch a itch that has been in the gaming universe for the last 10 years, but unfortunately for all the good it tries to do it's just not enough, there's a huge lack of content and besides free roaming there's nothing to do really, the game has some activities but they are just boring and don't go further than a glorified tutorial. The physics are ok being able to just let the board rotate under your feet while you drop from 10 meters high is pretty satisfying but a bit unrealistic.
    The graphics are nothing to rave about they do their job for the most part but you won't be taking any screen-shots of the environment for their beauty.
    To conclude the game had a lot of potential but it just didn't deliver, lack of content and sloppy controls are it biggest faults.    … Expand
  11. Corza-R76
    Aug 13, 2020
    7
    One you get the idea, it becomes a really good Sim. Noviced I said Sim. This is not a game. You learn the trucks through challenges, then once you have a few down, you try to put them all together in free skate mode. That's the challenge. I think everyone is missing the point of this title. I feel, once it's been out for a while it will gain a following, but man, oh, man, they have someOne you get the idea, it becomes a really good Sim. Noviced I said Sim. This is not a game. You learn the trucks through challenges, then once you have a few down, you try to put them all together in free skate mode. That's the challenge. I think everyone is missing the point of this title. I feel, once it's been out for a while it will gain a following, but man, oh, man, they have some serious bugs to fix. Behind that, solid title.… Expand
  12. DirtShart
    Jan 15, 2023
    6
    Its an ok game I'm not going to tell you to go buy it but also not going to tell you not to buy it. If you played any of the skate series its kinda similar controls as that but its a bit more rough around the edges.
  13. Cooljossti10
    Aug 1, 2020
    6
    This game feels like it’s still In the beta version, there’s no pedestrians so the game feels really empty. Also there are only 5 maps by the devs and 3 by the community (which I hope will be more in the future) the gameplay is good except for sometimes I hold down to Ollie and it just pops without me doing that and if you don’t hold it down perfectly it will do a sort of shove it 90 soThis game feels like it’s still In the beta version, there’s no pedestrians so the game feels really empty. Also there are only 5 maps by the devs and 3 by the community (which I hope will be more in the future) the gameplay is good except for sometimes I hold down to Ollie and it just pops without me doing that and if you don’t hold it down perfectly it will do a sort of shove it 90 so you’ll land horizontally and fall flat. After you do all the challenges and have explored all the maps and mastered the game so to speak there’s nothing to do since there’s no multiplayer, no story and no mods on console for now so when they ad these things this game can be truly amazing but without it it’s not so good. The graphics are honestly way to bad for a game in 2020 so all together it’s a really average game at best… Expand
  14. Smokierosz
    Aug 11, 2020
    5
    Expected more than technical demo..
    Game is so bugged that I wouldn't call it as a ready product..
    Got to get fixed
  15. ipadminihalf
    Aug 25, 2020
    7
    I made an account just to rate this game. I am rating this from the perspective of skating for 15 years and playing the previous EA Skate games. I think it is actually a pretty solid effort, and great for someone who has skated in the past. There is no campaign, but the tutorial for tricks teaches you enough to go and learn and practice on your own. The game takes practice, so if youI made an account just to rate this game. I am rating this from the perspective of skating for 15 years and playing the previous EA Skate games. I think it is actually a pretty solid effort, and great for someone who has skated in the past. There is no campaign, but the tutorial for tricks teaches you enough to go and learn and practice on your own. The game takes practice, so if you are not into that, it is not for you. The checkpoint system is very good and allows you to continually try lines, hit large rails, and continue to try and perfect whatever you are doing, this is a major plus for me. While EA skate used one joystick to control both feet, this one separates the controls of the feet so each joystick controls one foot, and I think this level of control is good. In the same vein, one of my main criticisms of this game is that the controls for fakie and switch are the exact same as regular and nollie. So the motion to do a nollie flip and switch flip are the same. This is confusing when you are just trying to cruise around and do tricks. Inevitably, an obstacle will be and your way, and if you are skating switch stance, it seems counter-intuitive to do a nollie flip motion for the player to perform a switch flip. If you are using the checkpoint system and know the trick you are trying and are doing it over and over, then this control scheme is fine, at least for me, but seeing as I like to do both, I think we should get the option to invert the controls, so that a switch flip is just the opposite motion of a nollie flip, as opposed to the exact same move.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 28
  3. Negative: 3 out of 28
  1. Worth Playing
    Sep 14, 2020
    60
    Games generally work when the player is either presented with goals to reach or a world to explore, but Skater XL doesn't provide enough of either to be a fulfilling experience.
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  2. IGN Italia
    Sep 1, 2020
    60
    Easy Days Studios strove to achieve a great and realistic control system for Skater XL, and they nailed it. On the way to geting it, though, they forgot to build a proper and fun game around it.
    Read full review
  3. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Aug 22, 2020
    70
    We’re in love with the unique control system, but the longterm appeal of the launch version is questionable. If/when more features arrive to fill in the gaps, it’ll be an essential purchase. [Issue#179, p.74]
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