New Skate Game on Steam: Early Access Title Earns ‘Mixed’ Reviews, Community Divided

The long-awaited return of the beloved Skate franchise has finally arrived in the form of a new, free-to-play title. However, its launch into Early Access on Steam has been met with a “Mixed” user review score, leaving the community sharply divided. While many players are praising the core gameplay mechanics, a significant number of reviews highlight major issues with missing content, server problems, and the live-service monetization model. The game, simply titled Skate, has become a hot topic, with fans debating whether the positives outweigh the negatives of its current state.

The game’s release, which follows a long and highly anticipated development period, was a major event, drawing over 80,000 concurrent players on Steam alone. This immense traffic led to significant server issues and long queues, frustrating players from the very start. Now that the initial technical hurdles are subsiding, the focus has shifted to the game itself, and the reviews reflect a deep split between those who see the game’s potential and those who feel it’s a disappointment. The “Mixed” rating, which means the game has a positive review percentage between 40% and 69%, is a clear signal that there’s a serious disconnect between the game’s vision and player expectations.

The Core Complaints: What’s Missing and What’s Wrong

A closer look at the negative and “Mixed” reviews reveals several recurring complaints that are fueling the community’s frustration. Many players believe the game feels “soulless” and “empty” in its current state, a direct result of key features from previous titles being completely absent. Key criticisms include:

• Missing Content and Features: A common complaint is the absence of iconic game modes from previous Skate games. Players are specifically calling out the lack of a proper story mode, missions with professional skaters, and fan-favorite features like “Hall of Meat” and “S.K.A.T.E.” The game’s open-world, San Vansterdam, is also criticized for feeling empty and sanitized.
• Monetization and Live-Service Model: As a free-to-play title, Skate relies on a live-service model with microtransactions and a “Skate Pass.” Many players feel this approach has led to a focus on paid cosmetics and a lack of core content. One review called the game a “soulless cash-grab with a fully functional cash shop inside a 7GB beta,” summarizing the sentiment of many dissatisfied players.
• Technical Issues: While the server queues have improved, some players are still reporting bugs, crashes, and performance issues, which further contribute to a negative user experience.

The Other Side of the Coin: Why Players Are Still Positive

Despite the criticisms, the game’s positive reviews are passionate and highlight what many players believe is a solid foundation for the future. The core praise is centered on the game’s fundamental mechanics, which many argue are the most important part of a skateboarding game. Points of praise include:

• Nailing the Core Gameplay: The most significant praise for Skate is that the actual act of skateboarding “feels great.” The fluid, physics-based controls that made the original series so beloved are still present and refined. For many, this is enough to justify a positive review, as the most critical element of the game has been successfully delivered.
• Customization and Sandbox Potential: While the game’s world may feel empty to some, others see it as a blank canvas for creativity. The potential for player-created parks and a robust replay editor is a major selling point for those who enjoy the free-roam, creative aspects of the genre.
• Early Access: Many positive reviews remind others that the game is still in Early Access. They argue that it’s unfair to judge a game that is still in active development and that the roadmap outlined by developer Full Circle Studios, which includes new areas, game modes, and features like player-created parks and party voice chat, shows a clear path to improvement.

The Verdict: A Game with Potential but a Disappointing Launch

The “Mixed” review score on Steam for the new Skate game is a perfect reflection of its current state. On one hand, the core skating mechanics are excellent, living up to the series’ legacy. On the other hand, the game’s live-service model, lack of content, and technical issues have alienated a significant portion of its long-time fanbase. The launch serves as a classic example of the challenges facing modern game developers, particularly with live-service titles. While the game is free to play, and therefore has a very low barrier to entry, it seems that for many, the cost isn’t measured in money, but in disappointment. The future of Skate will depend entirely on how well the developers address the community’s feedback and whether they can fill the game with the content and soul that fans are so desperately craving. Whether it can recover and achieve the success of its predecessors remains to be seen, but the mixed reception is a clear sign that the developers have a long road ahead of them.