When you first load up Skate Story, its vibes hit you like a wave of hellish magic. It pulls you in with its glittering glass scenes, wild red roads and a beaming moon in the sky, serving up some tight skateboarding tricks before opening out into its story-driven premise. You know you’re going to be in for a good time, and the demo session I got hands on with serves up a solid helping to whet the devilish appetite.
Taking control of an unnamed Skater, you’re tasked by the devil with the the simple feat of literally eating the moon. With that, you’re handed the keys to a skateboard and take to the so-called streets of this wild, untamed world. Despite its unusual visual flair, Skate Story plays just as you would expect, slowly revealing each ability you can perform on your board. It won’t take long before you’re zooming along with abandon and pulling out ollies left and right, and in the full game there will be a cavalcade of tricks to master which should appeal to those impatiently waiting for Skate 4.
It feels smooth shifting from high-speed to kick flip, all the while marvelling at the psychedelia surrounding you. The last thing you want is complicated controls for a game that’s clearly trying to do more, and thankfully that’s been taken care of. What matters, ultimately, is the sense of speed you feel at Skate Story’s peak, aided by a camera angle that’s tight to the player but just off to the side enough to see what you need up ahead.
Enough said
The action pauses briefly once the narrative takes hold, a collection of characters that will appeal to those who prefer abstract art over contemporary realism. While the devil wishes you to eat the moon, those who maintain order want to punish you for your actions, distraught over the idea of your skateboarding antics burning a hole into their sense of peace. It’s a clever concept, turning the simple idea of skating into a story of belonging and acceptance, leading to a journey through the underworld.
Skate Story feels at its best when pushing forward with pace, but things slow down into more traditional skate park fare once you reach a smaller courtyard and nearby museum. You’re here for a short while to progress the story, collecting what you need for the Gods who aren’t exactly thrilled with your skateboard. What helps to alleviate this sudden shift in momentum is Skate Story’s clever, humorous dialogue that’s just as surreal as the premise. This isn’t just a ‘skate from A to B’ kind of game, though hopefully any other such changes in momentum remain as entertaining.
These images don’t do the game justice
What time I had within Skate Story didn’t last long enough. Such is its intriguing premise, I wanted to dive further in, but I do have my concerns. There needs to be enough content going forward to allow the unique premise to shine, beyond that initial burst of weird and wild. If there’s a constant shift from high-speed antics to slower, open-world elements, that dialogue needs to flourish. If these first few hours of slick art direction and banging beats are any indication, all those sharp ingredients are in play.
Skate Story is set for release later this year on PC. Stay tuned for more real soon.
Previewed on PC // Preview code supplied by publisher
Click here for more information on WellPlayed’s review policy and ethics
