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For years Touchgrind HD was the only notable skateboarding sim out there. The graphics still hold up well today and how you control the skateboard resembles playing with a virtual Tech Deck skateboard (one of those mini-finger skateboards). While this was praised by almost everyone in the press, I found the controls too complicated to ever have a successful run as well as being handicapped by the camera. Now after several years Touchgrind HD has some fine competition: True Skate.

My experience with True Skate puts my past virtual skateboarding issues to rest. The controls are simplified while still maintaing full control of the board. Now I’m able to focus on what tricks to perform and how to chain them together. Sure this creates a bit more of an arcadey feel but there’s still much to learn here. After a few sittings you’ll be much better at chaining together combos but this skill is never handed over to you…you must earn it by spending a bit of time in the virtual skatepark.

There’s much to be praised when it comes to True Skate from the control scheme, camera, graphics, to even the layout of the skatepark. Heck there’s even missions that put your skateboarding to the test. There is a downside to this, as of right now there’s only one skatepark. So after a weeks span with True Skate the park is starting to reach its limits  and I’m starting to want more. While there’s only one skatepark to explore at the moment…I’ll take it since it’s the most entertaining skateboarding sim out there.

The Bottom Line: 9/10 (Super!)

True Skate takes what Touchgrind HD does right and improves on it.