Skate 2 (Xbox 360) Review
Posted by Chad Alan on 03.19.2009
What's this Skate 2 game all about? Well, why don't you come on in and find out.
Title: Skate 2
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Black Box
Genre: Sports
Players: 1-4 (offline) 2-6 (online)
Rated: T for Teen:
Welcome back to the city of San Vanelona, now named New San Vanelona. Electronic Arts takes us back into the world of skate simulation. With the city remodeled, new spots to skate, new moves, and some new abilities; Skate 2 is definitely worth taking a look at. This game has obviously been developed under the “if it ain’t broke...” philosophy.
Graphics:
The graphics have definitely been fine-tuned this time around. Not that they weren’t great in the first game, but you can see all the attention that has been paid to in the details. Character models have been improved for the create-a-characters. You don’t quite look so out of place with the pre-rendered characters. Pedestrians and guards don’t move so awkwardly while getting out of your way or chasing after you. There’s another point to bring up, the pedestrians actually jump out of the way when they see you coming instead of just playing chicken with you while barreling down a hill.
The environment has also been improved upon. As much detail that the character models received, the same went into the city. With a story to let the development team really give the city a face lift, we get to see New San Vanelona shine. Enough change has been put in to make you feel like you’re in the same city yet still feel like you’re in a new place.
Sound
I’m currently playing my games on a standard TV using it’s built in speakers, so I can only judge the sound so well. Everything seemed to be processed well enough. Sound effects chime in right when they’re supposed to. You can here when you start riding on different surfaces; the transition from say concrete to metal is flawless. I do like how instead of the music only getting louder when you get a combo going, now it gets louder in trick sections or when you go faster. Also, the sudden, almost muting of the music when you crash nicely emphasizes your mistake as did the first game.
Gameplay
There hasn’t been too much change to the gameplay this time around, but who can really complain if you liked how the first one played. If you didn’t agree with the controls from the first one, I’ve got news for you: you won’t like this one either. A new bail control system has been added so you have some more control over your Hall of Meat moments. Not only can you control your body by cannonballing or going spread eagle, you can even control when you bail from a jump. Now you can bail when you want and not have to rely purely on hitting something to get your bail started.
The inclusion of the ability to get off your board and walk is nothing new but definitely a nice addition. Aside from the occasional getting stuck on a random object, which actually happens few and far between, walking is a great. It goes hand-in-hand with grabbing objects. You don’t like where that ramp is aimed? Get of f your board and grab it to set it where you want. As long it’s not cemented to the ground it’s able to be repositioned. Want to set all those rails and benches together so you can grind the longest grind you ever grinded? Go right ahead and grind till your heart’s content.
Playing with the video editing a bit has shown me enough that I can see it is easier than previously. Instead of looking like professional editing software used to make a Michael Bay-like summer blockbuster, the controls have been toned down to not feel so daunting. Place markers for the start and stop, add an effect, switch the angles, and save. It is pretty much that simple. I know the original’s weren’t rocket science, well maybe computer science, but, now it doesn’t seem so complicated for someone that just wants to show their friends that sick line they just ran or that gnarly bail they pulled off.
Another nice little addition is the abilities of contacts while playing the single-player campaign. The big corporation that decided to remodel San Vanelona decided that they didn’t want skaters tearing up their new city so they added more security that is more brutal than before and put up skate blocks to ruin all the old lines. Well, never fear you have buddies that are there to help. For a fee one guy will get rid of the blocks in an area and Big Black will keep security busy much like he does for Rob, also for a fee.
Lasting Appeal
I can definitely see this game keeping people busy for a while. Perfectionists like me will be trying to nail those tricks and landing all those possible lines. The Party play will keep the casual gamer entertained with things like biggest spot or biggest bail, there’s just something about a game where you can see who can hurt themselves the most. Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to play this game online due to connection issues, but if it’s like the first game and all the minor tweaks that are prevalent throughout the rest of the game have been made, then I also see this keeping people coming back for more.
Fun Factor
I’d have to rate this high on the fun scale for anyone to put in a little time to learn the control scheme if they aren’t used to it from the first one. Right from the start of the campaign you’re laughing from the intro video. When you land a trick you feel like you’re really accomplished something, as a sim should be. This game keeps sticks with the quality over quantity formula that has made the last few Hawk games stale.
The 411
I’ve seen way too many possibly great sequels go down the drain whether it’s games, movies, or even music albums all because the creators want to mess with a formula that brought them their original success. I understand that they are trying to bring some diversity to their subjects, but, with the exceptions of the likes of Grand Theft Auto 3, Aliens, and David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust, most great formulas should only be tweaked and not overhauled. EA really took this to heart. They saw the great success of the original and decided to focus more on what more they could throw in while just updating the more technical aspects. This is a definite buy for fans of the original. Those that felt they missed out on the first one; I wouldn’t even stop you from buying it as a bit of an impulse. Of course, if you didn’t like the series in the first place, there’s not much that is going to change your mind here unless your complaints were not being able to walk and environment item placement. Skate 2 takes the formula from its predecessor and runs with it. “Like a leper messiah”
There is visible improvement on the graphic details in this game over the last Skate game. Making the same city look brand new, yet familiar is not an easy task.
Gameplay
9.0
The control scheme is really the same as last time, which I had no complaint with. The response has been cleaned up a bit and a few new actions have been added.
Sound
7.5
There really is not much you have to do to make a skate sim sound good, wheels hitting ruts and screeching while turning your trucks a little too hard, bones cracking during good crashes, and play some good music.
Lasting Appeal
7.5
The casual gamer might not last as long but skaters and enthuists will be playing this game when they can't do the real thing outside or just can't skate.
Fun Factor
8.5
The game's a blast for all gamers as long as they take just a little time getting used to the thumbstick control if they aren't already, but I don't see this being much of an issue anymore.
