Skater XL Reviews
Actually, I just want to give Skater XL a high score. The controls are innovative and the game flows smoothly. It is a shame, however, that the game is virtually soulless and actually leaves you completely free in what you can do. Now you can see this as a challenge, but I expect that many gamers will see a Skate on the case, but are disappointed when they actually play the game. Game is actually not the label I would give to Skater XL. Rather, it is a good tech demo that has the potential to become a real game, provided there is sufficient support and further development. And when I think of a tech demo, unfortunately I do not think of a price tag of 45 euros. If the game is going to be significantly supplemented, then I am willing to revise my score, but for now it is what it is.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
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
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
What Skater XL does well is make you obsess over an 8-set of stairs, or return again and again to a simple curb. You will keep going back to line up the perfect angle, the exact spot to crouch into an ollie, tre flip and land a crooked grind. That’s great, that’s street skating in its essence, and it’s an achievement to capture that. But outside of that microcosm, as soon as you pan out, it steps on its own shoelaces and stumbles into a bush.
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.
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.
Despite a legitimately innovative and satisfying control and trick system, Skater XL just feels incomplete.
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
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.
We may be unsure about what the future holds for skateboarding video games, but I think I can say with the utmost confidence that Skater XL is here to stay.