Common Sense Media Review
By Galen McQuillen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fantastic simulator is addictive and challenging.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
True Skate
What's It About?
TRUE SKATE marvelously simulates the experience of skateboarding by putting players in control of a virtual skateboard, controlled using fingers in place of feet. By flicking, swiping, tapping, and holding the board in the same way one would manipulate a real board, players navigate a skate park full of rails, ramps, and half-pipes, performing tricks and jumping over gaps. The game features tutorials and missions to build skills and teach new tricks and a bunch of unlockable parks to explore. Kids can also use in-game currency -- earned through completing tricks -- or real money to upgrade and repair a board or change its colors and design.
Is It Any Good?
This sports simulator is so realistic that even total amateurs will want to get out and hop on a real skateboard. The physics and controls are excellent and flawlessly responsive, so nothing stands in the way of you flipping over ramps and rails. It's a perfect balance of easy gameplay and challenging skill development that will hook kids (or adults!) right away. Unfortunately, the purchase price only includes one deck and one skate park -- the rest must be unlocked through in-app purchases or in-game currency that takes a long time to accumulate. For the entry price, though, the starter level is plenty for quick thrills or a few (hundred) minutes of virtual extreme-sports entertainment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about in-app purchases and your rules about them. Is it OK to buy additional skate parks?
Talk about the difference between the game and real life. Do you think skateboarding is harder in real life or in the game? Both take perseverance, but which likely requires more? Why? In what ways not shown in the game would a real skateboarder stay safe when practicing these tricks?
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Release date : December 21, 2015
- Genre : Sports Games
- Publisher : True Axis
- Version : 1.3.25
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 6.0 or later; Android 2.3 and up
- Last updated : October 23, 2019
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