Skater XL Reviews
Despite its shortcomings, SkaterXL is rewarding in a way that no other skating game has been yet and I’m looking forward to playing more.
Sure, there aren’t many that exist right now, and Tony Hawk’s Pro-Skater may give both Skater XL and Sessions a run for their money this upcoming generation, but as it stands, Skater XL forgoes the Fakie and Pop’s a sweet Ollie above the rest. I’m excited by its potential, and the surprises Easy Day have in-store for this title. Now, get out there and grind.
Skater XL tickles the same part of my brain as my favorite racing sims. It provides a compelling sandbox with enough depth that it makes me want to do a difficult thing well. It's simultaneously relaxing. You can fall on your face 500 times, but there are zero consequences for any of it. No one's keeping score, not of points or broken bones. In troubled times, a low stakes challenge can be a welcome one.
Skater XL is a strong proof of concept but it’s currently incomplete.
Skate XL cleverly mimics real-life skateboarding, but the minimal amount of gameplay means it's only ever going to be for real-life skate fanatics.
Skater XL at its core is decent fun, but its lack of worthwhile objectives and lacklustre performance sees it fail to stick the landing
Skater XL is undoubtedly a very robust experience in terms of gameplay and probably the most sophisticated of its kind. However, it suffers from the lack of content, objectives and certain elements, in addition to having serious level design problems in the few available scenarios, still having a very raw collision system and a below average audiovisual construction, even for an independent production.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
In its current state, Skater XL is nothing more than an elaborate tech demo to show its gameplay potential. What's actually missing is the game itself.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Once you overcome Skater XL's learning curve there's some fun board-based entertainment to be had here. But this is a lightweight package with subpar presentation, and unless you're so deep into skater culture that you absolutely need a simulation for your PS4, we'd recommend either waiting for this to be updated – or pre-ordering Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 instead.
If you are looking for a pure skateboarding sim and can handle the controls, you'll have your fun with Skater XL. Everybody else should stick with Skate and Tony Hawk because of the lack of content, graphics and some bugs.
Review in German | Read full review
Skater XL pushes off strong, noticing some wheel wobble as you speed through, until you realise there’s little substance and the game completely wipes out face-first halfway down the vert ramp.
There is a ton of potential in it's current state, but needs some additional content to really flush out the game. The core gameplay is incredible, but is it enough to keep players coming back? I would love to see a future roadmap for additional content. If players know that more content is coming, then I truly believe Skater XL will live up to the potential and be a standout skating simulator for years to come.
A skate game with good performance and a good playable base, but with little content.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Skater XL is, simply put, an unfinished product. It's a Skateboarding Simulation Game without the game. A barebones five developer-created maps and three user-created maps have no path, purpose or direction with just a handful of 'challenges' that are identical to tutorials. The skateboarding itself is great, the tricks satisfying to perform and a joy to pull off, particularly due to the control scheme. Will you enjoy it? Possibly, if you're happy making your own fun and you like skateboarding. If you expect a video game, you're going to be sorely disappointed.
Either way, it's a tough sell, but the reward for effort and perseverance is a good one, the bigger question: how committed are you?.
I find Skater XL disappointing in almost every respect. Wanting to sustain the entire game around its control and the hope of living off the mods of the community is not only disappointing, but even unethical when it comes to monetizing something that will be more aware of the work of others than of the own study. If you want to skate, I recommend that you look at other tracks.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
This game becomes needlessly complex, it is hard to recommend even to fans of skate, overall the Californian locations are forgetable at best. It makes me wonder if it should be released as early Access, as it lacks content specially for a game subbed “XL”
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Skater XL's exit from Early Access doesn't feel like a proper 1.0 release, with disappointing levels and a lack of polish letting its good trick system down.
Skater XL feels incomplete. There's not a lot of content, and the game is lacking a personality, a vibe to engage the player. In a year that has Skate coming to mobile, the Pro Skater games being re-released (again), and Session also working its way through Early Access, you should hold off on Skater XL.
Skater XL introduces an innovative and very satisfying control system, but that's all: it feels more like an early access game, still lacking any meaningful content like a story mode or challenges/missions. It's also in need of a visual overhaul, as the skate parks feel too empty and lifeless, skaters lack any expressivity and the overall graphical fidelity is quite low.
Review in Italian | Read full review