Skate 3 Impressions

Sykora727

May 14, 2010

Skate 3 starts off in a unique but somewhat confusing manner. The game's first impression leaves you wondering if you're watching some beef jerky or Mountain Dew commercial, or that you accidentally put in a DVD instead of the game. That is, of course, until you finally realize that it's all part of the plan to tell the game's story. The introduction starts in the forest (where all happy little skateboards grow up), to the production line, and then right to the beginning of the campaign's story. The story starts off where you, the gamer, get to learn basic skating maneuvers and tricks, such as carving and kickflips, in Frank's "skate.School," and continues with you developing your skills through challenges in an attempt at starting your very own skate board company.

Skate3Side (30K) Skate 3 is unique in the humor that it's alloted, and has several features that make the game go some distance. Players are encouraged to trick out their board, their clothes, and even their character. Players can choose through a variety of skin tones, eye colors, chin sizes and much more. As for accessories and gear, players can unlock new clothes, wheels, trucks, decks, and pretty much everything else in that regard.

Now for the facts. The game starts off a little wobbly with several noticeable glitches. One example is that several times, players can accomplish certain challenges such as a grind by just walking up to the edge of the curb or whatever, dropping their skateboard, and presto! There's your completed challenge. Other bugs include the character going into walls or when movable objects get stuck for no reason. Another shortcoming is that characters will always refer to you as a guy, even though you can play as a guy or a girl. This almost seems humorous or intended while listening to Frank refer to you as "buddy" and such, but it becomes an apparent blunder when interacting with pedestrians and other in-game characters.

There are a several redeeming values that were easily noted right away. For example, falling down gives your character some nice bruises and dirtied clothes, the music tracks are pretty good, and the option to build one's own skate park is a nice touch. The interaction between in-game characters is also smoothly done; crashing into other skaters mess up their progress and when you fall down, your buddies meet you with words of concern, encouragement, or annoyance.

Skate 3, despite its obvious problems, has the potential for being an exciting game. The title has plenty of features to make you forget the glitches.

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