Skate 2 starts off slow, but will gradually pulls you in.
The game starts to improve when you unlock the map. Being able to transport from one area to another is a necessity. However, it is just as fun to skate around as it was in the original Skate.
Although some of the challenges are frustrating, the career stays mainly fun, The tournaments, in my opinion, are the best part. The pro challenges, are extremely frustrating but are not required to beat the game.
The graphics in Skate 2 are slightly improved over the original. Despite this, the graphics don't feel as sharp as before. The soundtrack is also a step down, with only a sprinkle of good songs.
The new Freeskate mode lets you complete challenges with your friends and randoms. It is disappointing, however, that you still cannot skate the entire city with friends. Other multiplayer modes have been added, including Hall of Meat. The ranking system associated with these modes is similar to the one in Skate 1 and works well.
Overall, Skate fans should get this game. For others, I would suggest renting it because many will be turned down by the hard difficulty and the complex controls.