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Skateboarding fans can rejoice as the popular SKATE series comes to its third installment. It’s no surprise that the developers at EA Black Box wanted to develop another sequel to its predecessor, Skate 2. Many are now questioning the timeliness of this new skateboarding series, comparing it to the Tony Hawk games we’ve all had the pleasure to love and hate as the games got lamer and staler over the past decade, but one question is on all our minds: Will this turn into the Tony Hawk series?
Recap of Skate & Skate 2
Skate came out in September 2007, completely changing the way skateboarding games are meant to be played, with renewed controls that seem to make the skateboarding more realistic than ever and less arcade-y than just pressing a certain few buttons to get easy tricks in. Skate became a cult classic, and still is today considered the best Skate game because of the vibe it gave off. Head on over two years later and Skate 2 makes its sequel debut in January 2009, with new makeovers such as, adding a new community feature called “skate challenges” which can be played online with a party of friends. The city remained to be the same as in the first one (San Vanelona) with added areas and a minor graphics update as well as the game play mechanics by adding in the feature to walk which many fans have wanted since the first game. A few months in 2009 and we get a teaser trailer for Skate 3 showing off its team feature. That’s when all the theories came about that it might turn into the Tony Hawk series.
Skate 3
While it was very unexpected when announced, Skate 3 did not turn into Tony Hawk, not yet anyway. Skate 3 brings in all the online features the first two games had. Skate reel, which lets you upload your videos and photos, Skate create, which lets you design custom graphics for your virtual apparel in the game and two new added features that were in previous trailers prior to its release; Create-A-Team and Park Editor. Create-A-Team focuses on your custom made skater to build an empire. He or she will have to sell over 1 million boards to become a Skate mogul. By doing so along the way, you will get the option to have 4 other members on the team in story mode and 4 other members online, whether it’s someone you don’t know or a friend from your Xbox or Ps3 friends list. That’s where the Skate graphics creator 2.0 comes into play. You make up a team name, and you design its logo or use the pre-made in-game ones at your disposal. You go online with your team, kill some challenges and make a name for yourself on the leaderboards and community pages. Helping along the way to get more public recognition is to upload your team photos and videos, the funnier they are, the more ratings you get, which in turn offers you more board sales online and a few spots higher in the leaderboards. I’m sure that any of you who have owned or played the previous installments already know what people expect of you. Comedy. The more raunchy the picture and video, the more hits you get (just like the “like” button on Facebook).
Park Editor
You make your own skate park full with ramps and rails, with the option to color them at your personal preference. Once you are finished, upload it online and see how many people download it so you can get more board sales. If you have pre-ordered the game, then you should have received a special code to unlock the EA Black Box skate park. If you already purchased the game or you are planning to do so, then you should have another code for unlocking the share value pack, which actually lets you upload your content. This was actually a turn off for many customers who pre-ordered the game. They didn’t get this code within the game box and it’s retailed at 9.99 as DLC. This only proves that EA wants to capitalize even more off consumers.
Skate 3 Compared to Skate 2
Skate 3’s story continues from Skate 2. You are known as a legend because of the events that happened in the previous game, and now you have to sell 1 million boards to make an empire. There never a big focus on plot in Skate 2 as emphasis was placed on game play and features. The graphics are the same in Skate 3, and the frame rate issues are still not fixed. The traditional bail glitch is back and there is still a custom soundtrack feature if you don’t like the Skate 3 soundtrack, which features popular rapper and producer, Del the Funky Homosapien. Do yourself a favor and rent this game. While you’re online, look for my team; S.H.I.E.L.D. I’m in need of 3 more recruits to have a full online team.
Overall, Skate 3 gets a 7 out of 10. It’s is an above average game that’s worth a rent but definitely not worth the purchase if you’ve already played the first two games. The next review will be on the popular awaited title, Red Dead Redemption and how I will explain the rating system I give out for a game and a movie. See you after the jump. Detox out.
P.S.
http://www.gametrailers.com/user-movie/glitches-montage-ea-skate/344541 (video)
