Skater XL (Xbox One/SX)

Das Skaten, die Flips, Grabs und Grinds funktionieren alle großartig, sind realistisch und herausfordernd, und machen dabei einfach enorm viel Spaß. Daher ist es um so ärgerlicher, dass es im Spiel so wenig zu tun gibt und man sich quasi selbst beschäftigen muss. Wer dies allerdings kann und möchte, kann die vielen tollen Skatespots genießen und seinen Traum vom echten Skate-Profi ausleben.

If there's one thing Skater XL excels at, it's that it has a great foundation that shows Easy Day Studios knows how to make quality skateboarding mechanics. Unfortunately, the rest of the experience isn't quite there yet. The uninspired levels, barebones features, and overall unfinished-feeling state makes its 1.0 release look like it's still in Early Access.

Skater XL softens some of the more technical aspects of the sport, but empowers players with the ability to pull off stylish tricks with a swish of the analogue sticks. Even with a lack of content and polish, Skater XL stands on its own four wheels in a soon-to-be-crowded marketplace, providing players with an experience that prioritises fun over simulation.

Skater XL is being positioned as a platform but on console it still feels a bit too much like a prototype. Regular glimpses of promise appear when I operate within its limits and focus on managing its complex controls and limit myself to earnest, realistic skateboarding, but ultimately it seems more like a skateboarding video tool than a fleshed-out game.