Skate City - Review
by Agens
Apple Arcade access provided by Apple Canada
There will always be an incredible relationship between gamers and the world of skateboarding. It’s possibly the greatest and most respectable crossing of cultures in gaming history.
Ever since Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater released in 1999, and Skate evolved the way it took on simulation of the sport, there has been a buzz and excitement surrounding skateboarding games. Especially so when it comes to indie developers attempting to broaden the genre.
So, when Apple first announced the Arcade, and that this premium service would launch with Skate City, you could feel the palpable anticipation.
To add to the excitement, Built by Snowman was attached to the project. Bringing their expertise when it comes to zen settings, simple but deep control mechanics, and a look that is astonishing put Skate City on the map.
Just a few minutes in, and you can feel the evolution of Snowman’s Alto series just dripping off of this game. From endless skate modes to lo-fi beats, and visuals that birth admiration and calm, it’s obvious that Snowman had their hands in this pie.
Easy to learn, hard to master, is the key takeaway from Skate City. You can spend hours zoning into these real-world famous skateboarding locations masterfully and lovingly remade for an endlessly side-scrolling level. Or, you can obsess over every inch of those touch controls and become a truly virtuoso finger flicker.
To progress, the skater must use the in-game capture tools to record awesome lines and epic tricks to get paid. Earn big bucks for sweet moves, and purchase tickets to new locations, freshen up in the skate shop and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
For those seeking tricks and riches, there are a plethora of challenges available to conquer per location, and each one brings a new twist and cash.
And that’s pretty much it.
Much like the Alto franchise, Skate City is as deep and intricate as you want to make it, and that’s a beautiful thing in the modern era of video games.
There are a lot of reasons to love Apple Arcade, and we’ll get into more awesome offerings here, but Skate City is almost worth the price of admission all on its own.
I’ve spent hours relaxing on the porch swing, trying to get the perfect line of tricks down in order to impress the sponsors and get those big pay-days. A breath of fresh air when it comes to input, atmosphere, and a complete lack of clutter.
In a day when even the simplest of puzzle games is an LSD trip of blinks, sparkles, flashes, buttons, and more UI than a NASA control room, Skate City is a gorgeously paired down and wonderfully idealistic experience.
Developer — Agens
Publisher — Built by Snowman
Platform(s): Apple Arcade
4 / 5 — A true zen-infused skateboard sim right in the palm of your hand. This is the modern equivalent of tech decks.
