Flipping Expectations: When Skateboarding Takes a Backseat to Tumbling

A Decade-Long Hiatus Ends with an Unforeseen Twist

After a ten-year absence, the 'Skate' franchise has made its comeback, with the early access version now available. Historically celebrated for its authentic skateboarding simulation, the online community for the new game has surprisingly gravitated not towards impressive kickflips or intricate rail slides, but towards the peculiar act of somersaulting.

The Legacy of Realistic Skateboarding Simulation

Since its inaugural release in 2007, the 'Skate' series has consistently aimed to replicate the genuine experience of skateboarding. Its distinct "Flick-It" control system, which uses thumbstick movements instead of button presses for tricks, immersed players in a lifelike skateboarding environment. While some players pushed the boundaries of these mechanics to create extraordinary feats, the original games and their sequels largely adhered to the fundamental laws of physics.

The New Iteration: Challenging Established Realism

In just a single day since its early access launch, 'Skate' (2025) has begun to dismantle its reputation for realism. While it commendably retains a refined version of the "Flick-It" control scheme, allowing for a range of tricks from simple shuvits to complex three-flips, it also introduces a variety of non-skateboarding actions. Players are now able to dismount their boards and execute an endless series of somersaults by holding down controller triggers, defying all logical physics.

Somersaults: The Unconventional Mode of Travel in San Vansterdam

Players are utilizing this somersaulting mechanic to navigate the game's urban landscape, San Vansterdam, despite it being a considerably slower method of transit compared to traditional skateboarding.

Stunts Redefined: Tumbling Takes Precedence Over Tricks

This unconventional movement has also become the foundation for a multitude of player-created stunts that, ironically, would have been far more impressive if executed on a skateboard.

Defying Gravity: Somersaults from Dizzying Heights

Players are observed launching themselves off towering structures, descending into steep drops with somersaults, an action that would have undoubtedly been more visually striking and fitting for the game if performed on a skateboard.

Poolside Acrobatics: A New Interpretation of Classic Skate Spots

Even iconic skateboarding locations like empty pools are now being used for somersaulting displays, a stark contrast to their traditional purpose within the skateboarding world.

Sacrilege in the Skate Park: Tumbling Where Tricks Once Reigned

The sacred grounds of the skate park itself have not been spared, with players choosing to somersault across its features, a gesture that some long-time fans might consider a disregard for the sport's ethos.

Balancing Absurdity and Fan Expectations in Skateboarding Games

A degree of playful absurdity is inherent in skateboarding games, reflecting the sport's own lighthearted side. Earlier 'Skate' titles, for instance, permitted unrestricted "coffining" – lying supine on the board. However, for devoted fans, this new game's perceived neglect of 'Skate's fundamental principles, coupled with a host of other contentious design choices, proves to be a more difficult pill to swallow.

Critiques Beyond Somersaults: Online Focus and Microtransactions

As of this writing, 'Skate' (2025) is exclusively an online multiplayer game, lacking an offline mode – a decision that has been further complicated by reports of extensive queues and difficulties in accessing the game. Beyond common glitches, players have also reported issues with missions not populating correctly, hindering progression. The game also omits professional skaters and popular apparel brands, lacks the characteristic cursing often found in the skateboarding community, and, most controversially, includes loot boxes. This trend, often dubbed the \"Fortniteification\" of gaming, suggests that similar monetization strategies may soon pervade other beloved franchises.