Skate [360]

Electronic Arts takes video game skating back to basics and gives Tony Hawk some much needed competition in the process.
While skateboarding games have been around for the better part of the last decade, none have posed a serious challenge to Tony Hawk's reign over the genre until now. The big difference here is in the controls, and players will immediately notice a difference. Using the analogue sticks to pull off basic tricks and spins gives the game a new feel, and even experienced virtual skaters will have to practice to get the timing right.

The game's career mode consists mainly of completing challenges scattered around the town, which is no surprise. A nice twist comes with the choice of two skate crews with differing styles to hang out with, one is more aggressive, and the other is more about precision. There's also a good number of skating pro cameos in the game, and a decent character creator adds some customization, allowing you to unlock more sponsor's gear as you progress through the game.

The challenges start off pretty easy, letting you get to grips with the basic controls before demanding anything too complicated. The controls feel natural as well, pulling off tricks by flicking the sticks in various directions and using the triggers to grab. The game looks good, and the town you skate around in is quite large, with four neighbourhoods to explore. The bail animations (which you will see a lot of) are varied, depending on what you hit, but don't have the blood effects you might have grown used to. Naturally, there's the requisite soundtrack to keep you moving, and the lineup is no disappointment here. Songs by the likes of Bad Brains, Eric B & Rakim, and The White Stripes highlight a diverse track list that should please most.

The game has Xbox Live support for multiplayer games of up to six players, or you can take turns battling your friends on the couch in a few rounds of S.K.A.T.E. and see who's best. You can also record, save, and upload clips of your best tricks online to show off and prove your skills. While the controls are the big draw here and do change up the action somewhat, there's still a very back-to-basics vibe here that works both for and against the game. It would have been nice to see a more substantial multiplayer game as well, with a few more modes that are different from the career challenges. It's a great start though for a new franchise, and real competition in the skating genre is certainly long overdue.

7/10