PlayStation 4 Critic Reviews

Skater XL is definitely going to be a polarising game for some – the intuitive and deep control methods coupled with the expansive open-world environment make for a great time to just chill out and skate around, but some players may miss the ‘action’ of the game or feeling a necessity to reach a goal. While challenges will keep you going to better yourself, some may be turned off by the limited game modes and replayability. All in all, Easy Day Studios have crafted a truly interesting skateboarding experience that gives players the ability to skate without leaving their home.

For those willing to put in the time and effort (along with any of the glitches), Skater XL is a fun experience that skateboarding fans can enjoy - a statement that is even truer for those who also happen to be content creators, as some players out there are already putting together some pretty slick skate video-quality clips… likely after having plenty of their own Kerry Getz moments left on the cutting room floor.

Skater XL softens some of the more technical aspects of the sport, but empowers players with the ability to pull off stylish tricks with a swish of the analogue sticks. Even with a lack of content and polish, Skater XL stands on its own four wheels in a soon-to-be-crowded marketplace, providing players with an experience that prioritises fun over simulation.

Today, the skateboarding genre seems to be living a renaissance: Tony Hawk will return, one day there will be Skate 4, and Skater XL is now here and, against all odds, stands out by its own merits, with an offer that speaks to a very specific audience.

We’re in love with the unique control system, but the longterm appeal of the launch version is questionable. If/when more features arrive to fill in the gaps, it’ll be an essential purchase. [Issue#179, p.74]

Skater XL is an unparalleled representation of skateboarding. It's all about practice, timing, and creativity. You are the only indicator. As a game, Skater XL disappoints: technically it is not that great and the number of available locations is very limited. The picture that Skater XL paints of the skate culture is also quite one-sided in 2020.

Skater XL is a strong proof of concept but it’s currently incomplete. It has successfully created a physics-based control system that is both complex and rewarding. This will appeal to skaters as it’s the closest that video games have got to simulating the sport, however, Easy Days Studios has failed to gamify the experience. With more objectives, a story, voice acting and various modes, this could have been the skating title that gamers have been waiting for. Although post-launch content has been promised, many may have bailed before then.

First representative of a lost genre in years, Skater XL will clearly disappoint those who hopes for dense content. Clearly focused on its core simulation mechanics, the game offers a true experience of what skating might feel, but lacks on every other level, with very few stages, a meagre soundtrack and many technical flaws.

Skater XL is the most realistic skateboarding simulator we've ever seen, but also the hardest. If you love skateboarding you'll probably enjoy it a lot (specially if you skate in real life), but if you don't, it's difficulty and barebones content won't seduce you.

Skater XL has a mid-budget price point and comes from a small indie outfit from which you wouldn’t expect triple-A polish and heft. It also has a substantial community busy designing mods and items for it, too. But unless you’re a truly fanatical skateboarder in real-life, your most likely reaction to buying it and booting it up is likely to be: ‘Is that it?’. It’s an exemplary control system in search of a game.