Skate Story

 
Skate Story is not about high scores. Instead, it explores the fragility of existence through the lens of a kickflip. You play as a demon made of glass and pain. The Devil himself tasks you to skate to the moon and swallow it whole. Consequently, the entire game feels like a fever dream. It strips away the punk-rock attitude of Tony Hawk. Then, it replaces that vibe with a surreal journey through the underworld. Here, shattering your body is simply the cost of missing a landing.
Ollies in the Underworld: Core Gameplay

Glass Physics: Your character is literally made of glass. Therefore, one bad bail doesn’t just hurt; it shatters you into a thousand pieces. This adds visceral tension, as failure carries a destructive visual penalty.
Rhythmic Controls: Unlike chaotic arcade skaters, Skate Story uses a dual-stick system. However, it emphasizes rhythm and flow. Landing tricks deals damage to demons, which turns skate lines into combat combos.
Boss Battles on Wheels: You don’t just skate past enemies; you fight them. Encounters require you to chase down massive entities. You must perform specific tricks in their aura, blending racing mechanics with boss rush intensity.
The Emptylands: The world mixes linear “downhill” runs with open hubs. These areas are filled with weird souls, like a glass rabbit. They offer quests ranging from item collection to mastering impossible gaps.
Atmospheric Progression: You descend through nine layers of hell. As you do, the environment shifts from brutalist concrete to psychedelic voids. Meanwhile, a hypnotic soundtrack pulses in time with your pushes.

How It Stacks Up
Skate Story is the “art house” answer to the genre. It prioritizes mood over mastery.



Game
Key Difference




Skate 3
Skate Story uses similar stick controls. However, it applies them to a linear narrative rather than an open-world sandbox.


Thumper
Both games induce a trance state through speed. Yet, Skate Story gives you freedom of movement, whereas Thumper locks you on a rail.


Solar Ash
Both feature surreal movement through voids. But Skate Story is grounded in actual physics rather than floaty, anti-gravity skating.



Key Details

Developer: Sam Eng.
Publisher: Devolver Digital.
Platforms: PC (Steam), PS5, Nintendo Switch 2.
Release Date: December 8, 2025.
Genre: Action-Adventure / Skateboarding.
Visual Style: Low-poly, crystalline aesthetics with realistic lighting.

Who It’s For

Must-play for people who view skating as art. If you enjoy games that vibe hard, like Sayonara Wild Hearts, this is for you.
Perfect for players wanting a “flow state” challenge. In this game, the reward is the perfect line, not the points.
Skip if you want a traditional sim. There are no energy drink sponsors in hell; there is only glass and regret.

Why It Works
It works because it makes skateboarding feel **dangerous** again. In most games, bailing is a joke. Here, however, it is a violent dissolution of self. This contrast between fragile beauty and brutal difficulty creates a unique loop. You aren’t skating for glory; you are skating for your soul. As a result, every successful landing feels like a miracle.