GAME REVIEW | A Radical, Lunar Quest in Moody "Skate Story"
If the world’s greatest philosophers had their way, then skateboarding would be banned outright, as it interrupts their thinking time. To them, I say with the utmost respect, “Don’t be such a wanker.” While many people still look at skateboarding through the lenses of Tony Hawk and Bam Margera, the fact of the matter is, skateboarding is an art form. So why shouldn’t there be a video game that captures the more artistic side of skateboarding? Thank the powers for Sam Eng, who has rolled in with the aid of Devolver Digital to bring forth Skate Story.
Skate Story has a very simple premise: you’re a demon made of glass, living in the Underworld. The Devil has given you a mission: go to the moon and swallow it. To do this, you need a ride, which is where the skateboard comes in. Now it’s up to you to eat the seven moons, aid other tortured souls, and escape the Underworld.
Being a demon made of glass, taking on the art of skateboarding isn’t an easy thing. Fumble too many times, and the demon will shatter, respawning in either a close-by area or — in special chase areas — right at the beginning of the level. As such, one must master the art of skateboarding and learn how to evade becoming thousands of tiny pieces. Thankfully, unlike any of the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games, pulling off moves is a whole lot easier…to a point.
You can Ollie, pull off 360s and 520s, grind, and kickflip. There are other moves too, and pulling them off is a tad easier than other skating games. But the trick is keeping your combo meter going. With one slip of the finger, you might accidentally pop off your board, or you may trip, fall, and break your glass self.
It’s this aspect that makes Skate Story a challenge. While it’s easy to pull off moves, it’s building speed, perfecting combos, and learning how to properly grind that makes Sam Eng’s latest game something of a brain teaser. Where it gets frustrating is when you’re in a timed area, as even the tiniest slip-up may result in you starting at the beginning. (This will happen in later chapters of the game, so be sure to have a Happiness Bunny ready for the punches you’ll be giving it.)
However, it’s in the narrative where this game shines. The premise of eating moons is…well, not common, but it sounds the least bit serious. But when you dive deep into the narrative, and you’re presented with back stories about frogs, a raven with writer’s block, and even your Leporidae comrade, the stories spun are wildly deep and inventive. Even the poems that tell of your journey at the end of each chapter are written in such clever ways, to the point where — if you happen to be taking a poetry class in college — you may want to present one of them to your fellow colleagues.
Speaking of things that can be poetic, the Skate Story soundtrack is one of 2025’s best. On par with the Demonschool OST for both variety and coolness, the score — composed by Blood Cultures and John Fio — captures the mood of skateboarding and the Underworld with pure perfection. Not only will you want to learn how to grind to these sounds, but you’ll also want to take them to your next DJ party, turn up the heat, and watch your fellow party people lose their minds to the music!
Completing Skate Story will take you roughly 7-8 hours, depending on your finger skills. Although there’s nothing much after the story is over, you can revisit past levels, free skate around them, and even earn some points that can be used for new boards, wheels, and even custom stickers. It’s also a shame that there isn’t a co-op mode as of this writing, as it’d be cool to have a board buddy roam these areas with you.
PROS:
- Deep, philosophical story
- Great skateboard maneuvers
- Killer soundtrack
CONS:
- Some timed areas very frustrating
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Skate Story is a freaking mood, and I mean that in the best way possible. The worlds, the soundtrack, and the overall narrative are some of the coolest things I’ve ever experienced in a video game in years. Even when things get frustrating, Skate Story will find a way to drag you back in and keep your quest going. After all, those moons aren’t going to eat themselves!
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Colby Tortorici of Tinsley PR. Reviewed on the PC via Steam.
