Skate 3 Preview

The first two games hooked us for hours, so we can't wait to check out the sequel.

Electronic Arts cut into Activision’s skateboarding monopoly with Skate, then followed that up with the enjoyable Skate 2.  Now the publisher’s ready to continue its acclaimed franchise with the aptly titled Skate 3, a game that (like its predecessors) is more about performing tricks than showcasing over the top celebrities like Tony Hawk. 

This time, it’s all about forming teams and dominating the skaters’ paradise of Port Carverton, a place with unique districts, skate parks and plazas to mess around with.  Gamers will form teams of up to 12 people (or computer controller boarders, though this number may change), and hit various locales performing tricks and completing various objectives to boost their popularity; this also involves competing against rival teams in different online modes.  Domination, for example, challenges players to one up each other on various spots around the playfield.  If one team successfully performs a trick off an object and receives 200 points, they win a point.  But if the opposition does the same trick and earns 500 points, the focus shifts to their side.

In Own the Lot, the game asks teams to complete a specific challenge the fastest at the same time.  What ensues is a mad scramble as each group (in real time) attempts to outdo each other.  What’s especially cool about this mode is that you never know what the computer will ask you to do.

In yet another mode, One-Up, teams take turns scoring the most points.  When someone messes up (or bails), the opposition gets a chance to go.  We expect plenty of trash talking in this mini-game, especially towards the unlucky bozo that crashes into the pavement.

Thankfully, there’s more to Skate 3 than online games.  The single player campaign features true co-op play, with each person accumulating points and receiving accolades.  In addition, players can learn the controls and master tricks in the Skate.School, while Skate.Graphics lets them design logos and boards for their respective team.  Skate.Reel allows gamers to record video, and the new Skate.Park gives them the unique opportunity to build a park from the ground up.  Even better, they can share all of this content online with others, and vice versa.

Finally, EA decided to keep the popular Hall of Meat, a mode where players intentionally abuse their riders by flinging them off cliffs and other structures, where the most brutal crashes earn the most points.

Since it comes out next May, it’s much too early to tell whether Skate 3 has what it takes to dominate its genre, but we like the concept of creating teams and battling rivals.  We’ll report more info as soon as EA makes it available.  In the meantime, check out the game’s first trailer and screens.