 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Skate 3
- Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
- Price: $59.99
- Genre: Sports
Common Sense Media says
Grow a company with friends in this realistic skating sim.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that while Skate 3 is rated "Teen" it's a lot tamer than many other similarly rated games, such as those that focus heavily on shooting people. This is a skateboarding sim with an arcade twist that folds in community features and cooperation. It puts players in the shoes of a young entrepreneur trying to start up a skateboarding company with the help of his or her friends. Note, though, that many of the stunts and tricks are very authentic, and could prompt players to try them in the real world. The long term repercussions of dangerous stunts are not accurately depicted, and players are rarely penalized for foolhardy behavior. In fact, one mode even rewards players for inflicting grave injuries on their avatars. Also be aware that there is a modest amount of foul language, and that the online mode offers open voice communication. Common Sense Media does not recommend open online play for children under 12 years of age.
What's it about?
It's only been a year since EA rolled out Skate 2, a game that proved Electronic Arts was serious about competing against Activision's Tony Hawk series. Despite the short development cycle, SKATE 3 has added even more thrills (and spills) to virtual skateboarding. The biggest change is a heavy emphasis on co-op play, including team-based challenges in the fictitious city of Port Carverton, which features both human and A.I.-controlled skaters. While the story is weak, the deep career mode has you starting your own skateboard brand. Friends begin to sign on to help after you've generated enough "street cred." This is accomplished by taking on solo and team challenges, such as amassing the highest score possible (by pulling off midair tricks), achieving the longest jump, racing against others, and so on. The better you and your crew skate, the more you progress through each player's career, and the more you can customize your board and character with unlocked in-game merchandise.
Is it any good?
The new team-focused challenges and online features are well done, but those who purchased Skate 2 might want to first play this game at a friend's house (or rent it for a day) to see if the new additions justify the $60 purchase.
Back again is the fun Hall of Meat minigame that compensates you for brutal wipeouts, but many players will likely prefer the aforementioned team contests that pit your crew against another in multiple rounds of skateboarding challenges. What's more, a new park creator is included and makes it easier than ever to create the ultimate skate park from scratch. Plus, Skate 3 introduces an online social network called "skate.feed" that shows your friends' highlights reel (yes, you can still save your best moves) and allows you to share board graphics.
Online interaction: This online-focused game offers fun social networking-like features. That said, it provides players with access to completely open voice communications. We heard plenty of trash-talk in our headsets during online testing. There is also the potential for the sharing of personal information and inappropriate ideas. Common Sense Media does not recommend online play for children under the age of 12.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether the makers of sports games really need to release "new" games for each sport every year. Should they take more time to add enough features to justify the purchase? Or is that too long to wait between sequels? Could periodic -- and less expensive -- downloadable content be a viable alternative?
Families can also discuss Skate 3's realism. Do the tricks look authentic? If so, do you think some players might conspire to try them in the real world? Does the game do a good enough job of cautioning players as to the dangers involved in some of the game's more extreme stunts?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Good for anyone!
This game is really good. I've been dying to get it for my PS3. Now, you can hit people, and crash into them. you can "ollie" or flip trick into them and make them fall. Sometimes the pedestrians will get mad and curse at you and put you down or make fun of you, because you antagonized them to do so. They will push you and harm your Skater. If they're mad there will be a red marker above their head. Sooo that means to stay away from them. It teaches kids what real-life tricks look like. For example, What a tradeflip is or kickflip, or heelflip or the most basic trick: an Ollie. The motions of the game when you set up to go into a trick and land it are really accurate. The game play offline is basically getting to be famous and getting money to buy more clothing and skateboards for your Skater. Online mode you can go and talk to other people and create your own brand. And make your own team. If you're gonna buy it, make sure you're patient, because the controls can be a little tricky at first. I highly recommend this game. AND if you're new to this game MAKE SURE YOU GO TO SKATE SCHOOL. Trust me, you need to learn the basics.
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Kid, 11 years old
December 10, 2010
AGE
Pretty nice
A pretty nice skating simulator, easy to learn tricks and grind your way to victory, though the "Thrasher Hall Of Meat" where you get points for injuring and breaking the bones of your character, the ability for you to pick up your skateboard and hit other people, and the imagery of a gun that tases you was a bit questionable for younger people, but as long as kids don't think "Oh I better go beat up a person with my skateboard now" I think this game is fine.
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AGE
Fun, exciting game for 12 and up
I love this game. I think it is really fun and I've secretly always wanted to build a skate company. Although you can pick up your board and hit pedestrians over the head and then they say they're "Going to kick your a--".
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AGE
awesome
i though it was perfect for anyone 11 and up
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AGE
Its nice except that I got it for free at prizerebel*/index.php?r=162384 :D
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AGE
Best Skateboarding Game
This is the best skateboard game. Very fun to play. Controls are easy to learn. You can play online with friends, or download different places to skate for little money. Deffinatly suggest this game!
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AGE
online
You cant play the game online if your under 16. Other than that I would put it at 12-13+.
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AGE
If your 12+ years old, your good.
Let's start with the cons, shall we? In this game you create a skateboarding company and to advertize for your company you get photographed doing certain tricks at certain places. Since there are people filming you, if you fall sometimes they'll say things like, "D-mn dude! Are you OK?". It is very frequent use of the "d-word" but there is no other language, so it isn't all that bad. There are no drugs or alchohol but about 20% of the pros, photographers, other skaters, announcers for contest, etc. are smoking a cigarette. Don't worry about this too much, though. It's more for effect, I guess. I noticed they don't even take draws FROM the cigarettes, so it's not that big of a deal. On the positive side, you make your OWN company, and you really do have to work at it. I really do think that it is a good influence to see that kind of work ethic in a video game. Also, the game is very easy to play, and VERY fun too. Also, the game has a tendency to not be all that great to people who don't skateboard in real life, so take that into consideration.
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| Platforms: | Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 |
| Available online? | Available online |
| Genre: | Sports |
| Developer: | Electronic Arts |
| Release date: | May 11, 2010 |
| Price: | $59.99 |
| ESRB rating: | T for Crude Humor, Drug Reference, Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes |
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