Skate 2 is a contender for best skateboarding game of all-time. More responsive inputs and a higher camera angle make it much more playable than its predecessor.

The star of the show is the city, which might be the best ever to appear in a skateboarding game. The map is large and filled with variety. Some spots are out in the open, while others are hidden or off the beaten path. It feels rewarding to explore and find a spot you hadn't seen before.

Some annoyances from the first game still exist. The physics can feel janky at times. There are a couple annoying challenges that feel borderline broken. The game still doesn't do a great job of teaching the player how to improve, and your learning curve may vary.

All that said, once you get the hang of it, the gameplay is incredibly satisfying.