I. Love. This. Game.

As a skater, there's really no substitute for being out there, plying your craft. At least, there wasn't until Skate came along. It was a radical step for realism, introducing a system where physics actually seems to matter, and your character has some weight, instead of just floating like a carnival balloon into orbit and back.

Tricks actually take time to master, and you can sit at a spot for quite a while and dial in tricks just like you would on the streets. Of course, you could just play it through as quick as possible also (I did, just to unlock everything).

The online options seem solid, but I haven't seen many people online at all. It may just be that this game is old hat now, what with the third installment of the series set to drop in a month's time or so.

Still, for at least a while, this will be the definitive (non-actual) skateboarding experience.

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Well if your a skater of course you are going to like Skate 2. There is so many things to do and so many ways to do everything! The story mode is very long and it isnt the easiest out there; but there is always a new challenge. They never re-use old challenges and put them in the same spot. The graphics are a little dingy but I think thats what the devs were going for. The gameplay cant be matched using the Analog sticks to do tricks make it feel more authentic. This is a great game for anyone, but skaters will really love it!

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It makes owning the first game obsolete it's superfun and way better than the first game, if you can believe that.

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I'm going to compare this game a good bit to Stoked - a snowboarding game. The reason for this comparison is that they both came out at nearly the same time, they both have received similar reviews and scores, and they both use similar control schemes. Lastly, there are some things in common between snowboarding and skateboarding.

I purchased Stoked - and ultimately Skate 2 - because I was looking for something different. I was tired of driving games, shooting games, and there were no good RPG's on the horizon. I needed a change.

I bought Stoked because it was $10 cheaper. Bad mistake. I rented Skate 2, and ended up trading in Stoked (and a few other games) to purchase Skate 2.

The controls between both games are similar. Left stick "steers," right stick controls jumps and pivots and tricks. Of course in Skate you can push yourself around, in Stoked - well, you're just sliding down a mountain.

Skate 2 wins the comparo for a bunch of reasons. San Vanelona is a living town with pedestrians, traffic, security, and other skateboarders. Stoked takes place on a relatively-lifeless mountain, with some stationary onlookers at various "trick spots." Skate 2 is a "sandbox" oriented, whereas Stoked - though certainly not linear, still only lets you slide down the mountain, restart, and slide down the mountain again. If you miss a trick in Skate, you simply push yourself (or walk - a welcomed addition to the game no matter how awkward the controls) back up the hill and try again. You can even set a "waypoint" at the start of a hill, railing, obstacle, etc - and with the press of two buttons, return to the waypoint to try again. If you miss a trick in Stoked, you have to restart at the top of the hill, FIND the area you were in, and try again.

The control schemes seem a little easier in Skate - at least until you scan through the trick guide. Stoked is all about holding a button and moving the right stick in a certain direction. It basically requires memorizing a lot of button combos, or pausing frequently to check the instruction book. Skate 2 relies on a similar structure, but most of your stunts are done by moving the right stick in a specific pattern. The good news is that you'll often do A trick. It may not be what you WANTED to do, but you'll get points at least. I have not yet run into challenges were a very specific trick was required, though I have read that this may occur later. Skate 2 seems a bit easier to play as you can "fudge" your way through the challenges a bit easier, being creative as opposed to just checking off a list of required stunts.

As someone who is entirely new to the Skate series, and skateboarding games in general, I found Skate 2 very easy to get started in and enjoy. Moving around is very easy and intuitive. Learning the basics like ollies and grinds was very easy, and let me get a decent way into the game before I had to broaden my horizons. I also like how advancing through the game opens up "contacts" which allow you to do things like draining pools, removing "traps" that inhibit skating, and even requesting a little "muscle" to help with security. The various missions and "spot" challenges can be pretty fun, and though often times they require multiple attempts to succeed, somehow it never becomes very frustrating. I'm not a big fan of doing things over and over again, but maybe because it all happens pretty quickly, you can run the same challenge many times in a single minute - especially with the "waypoint" system mentioned above. I cannot tell you how easy that makes Skate 2 to play.

As fun as the challenges and missions and side-jobs can be, simply zipping around San Van is a lot of fun in itself. It's really a welcome changed in a sandbox game to be able to entertain yourself without shooting people or worrying about health or a "wanted level." Many times I'll find a railing that I want to practice grinding on, or a ramp that I want to practice jumping from. Drained swimming pools are incredible fun for flipping, grabbing ledges, grinding, etc. Skate 2 also gives you an awesome feel for your height, your speed, and your frequent-impending doom when you realize halfway to the ground that "this one isn't going to go so well..." But even the wrecks pay off though with the "Thrasher Hall of Meat," which adds a hilarious and even profitable twist onto bone-snapping crashes and accidents. Wiping out in Skate 2 makes me laugh over and over again. Never before has failure been so much fun.

Skate 2 is a great game that encourages creativity and is packed with lots of different things to do. It's entry-level access is great for new players and old fans alike. The controls could be a little tighter, the walking technique could be greatly improved, but most of the nuisances become pretty insignificant when you catch that air and nail the landing.

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I agree with the other reviews completely. I love this game, but it is exactly the same with some improvements. MOST of the missions are sort of realistic situations but the giant ramps and stuff are a little much. Moving objects is shaky but really really awesome. If you liked SKATE at all, you have to buy this game.

Later.

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If you liked playing the tony hawk series on the nintendo 64, playstation, ps2, xbox, and gamecube, but you felt like it was to animated, you'll love skate and skate 2. These games are definitely for the devoted gamer. If you cant get the hang of this smooth and very real-style game controls, then you will not enjoy this series. Give it a chance though. When skate came out with its demo on xbox live, i played it... and played it and played it. It was addicting. I was playing the same demo over and over and couldn't wait until the game came out. When the game finally hit the shelves, i bought it and played it until I beat it. It took me about 5 days (not playing non-stop) to complete it, but when i finished, i kept on goofing off because it was so fun.

I couldn't wait until the next skate game. Then, skate 2 came out. I was really excited but somewhat anxious to see that the skater could get off his or her board and run around and move objects. Everything turned out to be great. Right now I'm still playing skate 2. I cant get enough of it. There are so many more things to do in this very nice sequel. It almost feels never ending (in a good way). Just when you think you're close to finishing the game, there are more things to do. There are so many side missions to complete and with the downloadable content... it just keeps getting better and better. Playing in Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory or Plaza is sweet! Being able to play in previous places from the original skate is also great! This game is just so fun. I really would really like to see The Berrics ;) That would be tight.

I think skate and skate 2 are revolutionary titles that are most own games. GET THEM NOW! They blew Tony Hawk's games away.

Skate (XBOX 360)

Skate 2

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First skateboarding game I played was Tony Hawks, 1&2. The best skateboarding game of its time. Decided to take a look at the Skate 2 demo (mind you, I've never played Skate 1). I was BLOWN AWAY. Tony Hawk, move aside, Skate 2 is the new and improved kid in town! I shortly bought it after not getting enough from the demo. Well worth the money. What a revolutionary title! Forever more, skate 2 is gonna be known as the skateboard game that changed it all. No longer do you get to add stats to your player (speed, Air, jump, etc) everyone is on an equal playing level. If someone else can pull off an amazing trick/jump/flip, I can do it too. Anything is possible! There are little challenges and what not, but honestly, if this game came without the challenges, I would be happy. I just do them to do them. The people over at EA really did a good job with the city design. You will never get bored cause there is always something new to attept. Recommended! You won't regret it.

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It's been one awesome trip in New San Vanelona! I have really enjoyed my time. I have put many hours into this game (currently have 890 of 1000 Gamer Score points). Career mode is really well done. The new tricks add a ton to the experience. And online play is amazing! This is a must buy if you liked the original Skate.

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This is the first skate game I have owned and it is Great! Lots of great stunts, easy to maneuver! Awesome game!

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I've been around the Skate series now since the first game came out. I played both and I also, more than anything, witnessed my buddy play it probably more than anybody else have ever played this game. The amount of hours he has logged is disgusting. The only thing bringing him back day after day is the fact its skateboarding, and well he loves skateboarding.

Let me start by saying that Skate and Skate 2 capture skateboarding itself, best of all games so far. The flick-it controls and tricks are displayed well with style. If you look at this game solely for the skateboarding aspect but nothing else that makes a game good, you'll enjoy it.

First of all...

1) They kept WAY too many spots from Skate 1 in this game. You grow bored of the spots pretty quick as most of them are just rehashed with some new textures and lighting from the first game.

2) The game seems extremely rushed. BUGS, BUGS, BUGS! I feel like I need a 12pk of RAID. No I don't mean creepy crawly critters. I mean how the heck did the testers not notice all the stuff that's broken in this game? Often you'll find dumpsters flying through the air, areas you can't grind, cement-like water, broken ledges and other things you're supposed to be able to skate, foot getting stuck in the board, wheels going beneath the surface of the ground, random sounds out of no where, random falling out of the sky or being spun and thrown like something from inside a food processor and you decided to remove the lid. The list can go on, and on, and on, and on, and so on. This is just a few that stuck out immediately. Oh, and the off-board controls, to put it nicely... are terrible. Tanks and trains have better controls.

3) They make the game seem like there is a story-line, yet character development and the story-line is done pretty badly. First, your character apparently doesn't have the ability to speak or interact with other characters in the game what-so-ever. Every time you're seen in cut-scenes or whatever, he appears to be a lifeless caveman. Always just staring straight forward with mouth closed. Could they not animate some emotion at least? C'mon, who that skateboards doesn't hang out with friends and at least have some fun?! The story-line is pretty pathetic too. The direction of the game allows you to pretty much do what you want in whatever order, but its not structured enough to really have fun with it, nor challenging enough either. Also, which brings me back to the bugs... Sometimes you cannot even complete the story part of the game, because of the bugs... Missions will either not show up, or the icon won't disappear of the map after you've completed them.

4) Over-all the city seems bland. There is nothing really going on in it. There are a few people walking around here or there, but nothing is going on. It seems overly fake. Cars driving around take right turns from the left lane with whatever blinker they choose, the models look like they're from a PS1 game but with reflective windows...and this brings me to another thing to add, is that the AI (artificial intelligence) is laughable at best. Other skaters seem to have no knowledge of your where-abouts. Normal people in the city seem like lifeless drones, something you'd expect out of a game made 15 years ago. As mentioned already, the cars is pathetic, drive only in the most linear manner, take wrong turns, blinkers are chosen randomly(and not always the way they're turning), and they seem to have no knowledge that there are people in the street... they run into anything.

Anyway, I could go on. I just hope they make Skate 3 better. Perhaps we have noticed more negatives about this game than many because of just how many hours has been logged onto it. Who knows... but these things are pretty easy to notice. If you're used to well developed games, this will stick out like a sore thumb. I still give it props in the actual skateboarding category, where it destroys Tony Hawk, however, isn't always as fun due to the plethora of negatives this game has to offer.

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I like the tricks and the new locations, but the increase of security makes me frustrated and I turn off after about an hour of playing.

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Skate 2 is an awesome sequel to the creative original. For some one that's new to the Skate series, learning all the ins and outs of the flick stick and all the other fine controls might take a little bit of time, but it will definitely come to you before you know it. Even after completing the career mode, there's so much to do online with competitors, or with user created "spots" that you can download and try to own, IE beat the high score. Plus the filming aspect makes this game even more realistic, and some great videos have been made and are being made right now. Sometimes, the flick-it controls seems a bit sensitive and you might have to retry some challenges, but it's not truly frustrating because it's always so different. This game is great for skaters, non-skaters, wannabe skaters, and anyone else.

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I really do skate in real life, and the thing about this game is that the ea creators got lazy. They just took old san van from the original Skate and put more things in it. And the challenges are too rushed, youll see what im talking about when you get it. But don't get me wrong, its worth the money. The physics are better and theres more tricks and stuff.

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dont forget to vote yes/no whether this helped or not ^_^

so rarely do we see a sequel so true to the original yet better in every way. Skate 2 takes the basic mechanics of the original and creates what is possibly the best skateboarding game ever, but to be fair to the times, the early years of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater are legendary.

Graphically theres little to complain about, great character models, great lighting effects, and generally great use of textures, aside from most foliage and some lackluster water effects everything looks solid. the bruising/body damage from bails is nicely implemented as well.

the game controls just like the original with that fantastic analog control. if you havent played it, the let stick controls the skater, and the right trick controls the board for ollies, manuals, flip tricks, ect. similar to the ideas behind NHL 08/09 and Fight Night Round 3. and dont forget the replay editor. gameplay can be paused at any time to edit your replays. you can change camera angles/styles and the speed at which each clip in the video plays. any of your replays can be uploaded for all to see.

Create a Spot - you can now, at any time, pause gameplay and create a box to designate the trick area, set the score on given ramp/gap/rail/ect, and upload it for all to see and compete for the high score.

challenges/activities abound from tournaments and races to individual spot contests, competing for the best trick. they even added online for this one, all the styles of activities available in career can be chosen for online competition, as well as online freeskate with your friends. unfortunately all online modes are limited to certain areas, so you can forget traversing the whole city with your friends GTA IV style. a small complaint. actually my only real complaint about the whole game.

the soundtrack is great too, varying from oldschool rap to modern rap, classic rock to modern metal.

on top of all that Skate 2 features one of the most advanced physics engines in any game except maybe GTA IV (why didnt that have a replay editor?!) every bail is unique to the situation. everything moves as it should whether you're nailing a grab over a staircase or slamming into a knee high steel gate.

all in all its slated to be one of the best sports games of 2009, right up there with Fight Night Round 4 in terms of respective quality. it could be one of the best games all year period.

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I think this is the best skateboard game ever made. Free roaming enviroments and easy to pick up controls make this game a top choice to buy. Amazing graphics and gmae play. Player creation is limited, but you won't care becouse this game is so much fun. Even the crashes are fun to watch. This game has a real boarding feel to it and there are alot of tricks that you can learn.

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