Being someone that enjoyed and had already spent a lot of time with the original Skate and its unforgiving but rewarding controls, the thought that I would be picking up the sequel was always a safe bet. After reading and hearing great things about the game I managed to overcome a mini guilt trip about spending more money on yet another game and did the deed.

My first session was harsh as I smacked my bearded avatar repeatedly into the hard and cold concrete jungle of Skate 2. I was having fun even though I was only getting through most challenges on the tenth attempt or so. I put it down to not having played the series in a while.

All was going swimminngly until my first Pro Challenge ... Danny Way (or as he became known to me Danny No Way). I have never hit a brick wall like that one before in all my years of gaming. I came close to abandoning this game and in never touched it for over a week.

I am glad I found the courage to try again and this morning after thinking a bit about how I need to approach the ramps and link my tricks Danny Way was taken down by my ruthless bearded skater and a whole host of other challenges unlocked before me.  

After a seven hour session I have found the beauty hidden within this beast of a game. It is not for everyone but it does reward the brave. Every trick you land and the city EA has created is nothing short of beautiful and a joy to skate around in.

This version allows you to get off your board, move objects around to help beat challenges, offers the hilarious Annals of Meat where you try to cause as much physical damage to your character as possible and beat various goals, online co-op play, video editing your own footage and so much more. Even if it hasn't reinvented anything, like the first did, it has made enough refinements that any skating wannabe gamer should give it their attention. 

Spending time with Skate 2 was like spending time with a long lost friend. It might be a little bit awkward at first but invest enough time to get reaquanted and the benefits are almost endless.

Beardman (a.k.a me) landing a massive trick on the second attempt, and then falling over a rail.