SkateBIRD

 Xbox One
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. ComicBook
    Sep 15, 2021
    80
    Skatebird is the kind of game that the world can never have enough of -- complex but accessible gameplay, unique gimmicks, and a clear sense of style. While there are a few kinks that need to be ironed out or settings that can be modified, they're largely outweighed by the unabashedly silly and enjoyable experience of playing the game. Skatebird is the perfect low-stakes, high-reward game to dive into right now, and hopefully other players will soon agree.
  2. Xbox Tavern
    Sep 17, 2021
    78
    Through the fun story and throwback gameplay of arcade skateboarding, SkateBIRD delivers a refreshing game. Despite some frustrating moments with the movement and controlling of skating, enjoyment can still be found.

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Best Xbox One Game of 2021
16
#16 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2021

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
1.9

Overwhelming dislike- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 8 out of 10
  1. rangeman
    Sep 24, 2021
    0
    Probably the worst game I ever played on GamePass. Literally embarassing. Luckily I didn't have to pay for this garbage. Don't waste your timeProbably the worst game I ever played on GamePass. Literally embarassing. Luckily I didn't have to pay for this garbage. Don't waste your time and money… Full Review »
  2. clbull
    Sep 18, 2021
    2
    Can't believe I'm about to say this, but I owe the workers and management of Robomodo an apology.

    I thought they were an utterly    Can't believe I'm about to say this, but I owe the workers and management of Robomodo an apology.

    I thought they were an utterly incompetent developer that couldn't implement working physics and good game design in skateboarding games to save their own lives. But their transgressions with the Tony Hawk's series are paltry compared to the turd that Glass Bottom Games plopped onto storefronts. Yes, even THPS5 is better than this trash.

    SkateBIRD is a shockingly bad game for many reasons...

    Graphically it looks ugly and has nauseating amounts of blur on distant objects. I don't know whether this is to mask performance issues or to give the perspective that you're playing a bird (which doesn't make sense since the game's in third-person.) This blur cannot be switched off, by the way - at least not on the Xbox One version.

    The controls and physics are notoriously bad. Your character controls with the finesse and precision of a drunk driver. The transfer button doesn't work properly and just flings you away from a quarter pipe without standing you upright or transferring you to the other pipe. I have genuinely clipped (and bailed) through objects and have been stuck on obstacles.

    Playing through the game's story mode is also an exercise in frustration. Missions and NPCs aren't properly highlighted nor signposted and while the missions themselves would be easy with working physics, wrangling with the controls makes them far more difficult than they should be.

    I will give Glass Bottom some credit though. The FANCY meter, which bases your speed, hangtime and jump height on how many tricks you can perform without bailing, is a good idea. The Screm button is also a really good way to prolong combos that doesn't utterly break the game like the Revert trick in THPS3 and later Tony Hawk's games does.

    But for all the things that SkateBIRD does right, it does about ten different things wrong. Even the meme potential of this game feels heavily contrived, like this game only exists because "HAHAHAHA PIGEON ON SKATEBOARD SO FUNNIE XDDDDDD."

    Games like SkateBIRD make me thankful that Game Pass exists, because I think it's criminal to charge $17.99 for this trash.    … Full Review »
  3. username420
    Sep 17, 2021
    1
    Shockingly bad game, I'm unsure how it even released in this state.

    - Unsatisfying, very glitchy, floaty, top-heavy physics and gameplay -    Shockingly bad game, I'm unsure how it even released in this state.

    - Unsatisfying, very glitchy, floaty, top-heavy physics and gameplay
    - Very limited trick selection
    - Camera that flicks around maniacally and can't keep up
    - Headache inducing blur effects
    - Washed out colors, very simple and repetitive visuals that reuse assets a lot
    - Uninteresting level design that doesn't flow
    - Boring "collect x things" type missions

    The bird character creator is amusing, and if you can stomach the meme humor then that might appeal to you, but otherwise this is just bad. I respect the plight of making an indie game and I love the idea of this game on paper but Skatebird didn't come together at all    … Full Review »
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