Forget Tony Hawk, Skate is the new must play skateboarding game.
Skate is a game based around your created skater trying to make it big in the skating world. Entering contests, performing film challenges, and playing games of S.K.A.T.E, among other game types increase your reputation granting you access to cooler gear and more challenges, becoming famous enough to land the cover of the Skateboard Mag. The story line isn't the games strong point, but does add direction and doesn't just plant you in the middle of the world and leave you to it.
The controls are easily the best part of the game. Skate utilizes the "Flick-It" system, essentially using the right analog stick to control the board. To do an ollie, you hold the right analog stick down and then flick it up, or if you wanted to do a kick flip, flick up and to the right. The controls do take some time getting used to, and once you do it still will be some time before you have a good enough grasp on them to be doing some of the advanced tricks, all of which are available from the very start of the game. There are no stats to increase just your own skill.
The world is massive, and it is fun. It really is impressive to see how much stuff there actually is to skate on in the world without making it look like a huge skate park. If you find a new spot, say it's a fairly large set of stairs, and you want to keep tricking off of it, you can utilize the marker feature. Just place a marker anywhere in the world and when you activate the marker it will transport you back to that place instantaneously. This makes it extremely useful for skating the same spot, and not wasting time making your way back to the top.
There are enough game types to keep things interesting and varied. S.K.A.T.E. is exactly like H.O.R.S.E except on a skateboard, one person sets the trick, then the other has to match it or get a letter. You can play all of the professional skateboarders you meet throughout the course of the game, although you can only play S.K.A.T.E in one spot, which was pretty disappointing seeing as there are other spots to play S.K.A.T.E online. Deathrace is exactly what it sounds like, racing 2-3 opponents down the more narrow and windy spots on the map and try to finish first. You also have photo and film challenges to complete. They will give you specific criteria you need to meet in front of the camera to win these challenges. Lastly, and my personal favorite, is own the spot. Throughout the world there are specific spots to skate that can offer some pretty unique ways to rack up points. Beat the high score and you "own the spot."
Online play is fun utilizing EA Nation, although in the 4-5 hours I have spent playing online, I have been disconnected approximately 2-3 times. This can be frustrating when your right about to win a match and take the "Win 3 online games in a row" achievement. Playing online, you can play all of the game types offered in the single player counterpart, aside from a new game type like death race but completing specific trick objectives between gates.
Skate is not without its flaws though. I was able to complete the game, all side objectives, and all offline achievements in just under 20 hours. This is especially a slap in the face considering there is almost no replayability. I personally am on my second play through but there is nothing new to see or accomplish. Also if you crash, the game will sometimes put you in a really awkward spot, such as in the middle of a set of stairs that can make it frustrating to get back to the action. The controls, while intuitive and easy to use, aren't as precise as you would like them to be. This does come with practice, however, so I should point out that this has more to do with being precise and your skill at the game.
Skate is the first game in any series that really makes you FEEL like your skateboarding, the sound, the character models; everything makes you feel like your right there. Although the amount of content is a little low compared to the asking price, it's better than paying the same amount for the same Tony Hawk game you have been playing for the last 8 years.