New Skate Game on Steam Gets ‘Mixed Reviews,’ Dividing Fans and Newcomers

The highly anticipated reboot of the beloved Skate franchise has officially launched in Early Access on Steam, but its debut has been met with a wave of “Mixed Reviews” from the community. After years of development and a long wait since 2010’s Skate 3, the new free-to-play title has sparked a heated debate between long-time fans and a new generation of players. While some praise the core gameplay and the return of the iconic Flick-It controls, many others are expressing disappointment over a perceived lack of content, a shift in art style, and the game’s live-service model.

The game, stylized as skate., has reached a significant number of concurrent players on Steam since its launch, a clear sign of the high anticipation. However, a glance at the user reviews reveals a split decision. The most common criticisms from players who left negative reviews center on the game feeling “soulless” and “empty.” Complaints range from the absence of fan-favorite features like a story mode, “Hall of Meat” challenges, and real-life pro skaters, to a general feeling that the game is a “cash-grab” with a focus on microtransactions over a rich, single-player experience. Many users feel that the game has strayed from the authentic, gritty counter-culture feel of the original series, adopting a more “gentrified” or “Fortnite-esque” aesthetic.

The Core Debate: Gameplay vs. Content

The reviews highlight a clear division in what players want from the game. Here is a breakdown of the key points of contention:

• The Positive: Core Gameplay is a Success: Despite the criticisms, a significant number of positive reviews praise the actual skating mechanics. Players who have enjoyed the game say that the “Flick-It” controls feel as good as ever and that the physics-based gameplay provides those signature “only in Skate” moments. They enjoy the open-world sandbox of San Vansterdam and the ability to pull off creative, often hilarious, stunts. Many positive reviews argue that since the game is in Early Access and free-to-play, players should be patient for new content.
• The Negative: Missing Features and Live-Service Model: The most vocal critics are the veterans of the franchise. Their reviews consistently lament the removal of key features from previous titles. They feel that the game is an unfinished product that focuses too heavily on cosmetic microtransactions and “live-service trappings” like a battle pass. The fact that the game is always-online and lacks an offline mode is a major point of frustration for many. A number of reviews explicitly state that they would have preferred a paid, complete game with all the classic modes rather than a free, constantly evolving title.

EA’s Strategy: A Calculated Risk

The launch of skate. is a perfect example of a modern-day gaming business strategy. By releasing the game as a free-to-play, live-service title in Early Access, Electronic Arts and developer Full Circle Studios can continuously update the game and add new content over time, all while monetizing it through cosmetic items. This approach allows them to respond to player feedback and build the game alongside the community. The high concurrent player count on Steam shows that the strategy is working in terms of attracting a large initial audience, which is a key metric for a live-service game. However, the mixed reviews indicate that the initial offering has not met the high expectations of the core fanbase.

The debate between a complete, paid experience and a free, evolving live-service model is at the heart of many modern game releases. While the developers have outlined a roadmap of upcoming features, including new game modes, player-created parks, and social features, the initial impression for many players is that of a hollow shell. Only time will tell if the developers can add enough content and features to satisfy the original fans while keeping new players engaged. The current situation perfectly highlights the challenge of rebooting a beloved franchise for a new era of gaming.