Skate Story Review: Devolver Digital’s Striking Skateboarding Experience Shines on PC, Faces Challenges on Nintendo Switch 2
Few indie games in recent years command as much attention for their artistry and originality as Skate Story, a unique skateboarding adventure developed by Sam Eng and published by Devolver Digital.
Renowned for his earlier work Zarvot, Eng delivers another emotionally charged and visually bold project.
Released in 2025 for PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2, Skate Story stands out for its distinct blend of melancholic storytelling, innovative gameplay, and stunning audiovisual design.
However, while its impact is profound on PC and Steam Deck, technical hurdles undermine its experience on Nintendo’s latest hybrid console. Skate Story’s premise is as arresting as its visuals: players embody a glass demon on a surreal quest to eat the moon, armed with only their skateboarding skills and determination.
The narrative takes players through vibrant realms inhabited by eclectic NPCs and packed with inventive boss battles, challenges, and poignant moments of reflection.
As Eng’s previous title Zarvot demonstrated, blending unconventional themes with inventive mechanics is fast becoming a hallmark of his projects. "Skate Story challenges traditional skateboarding game expectations," observes a seasoned reviewer.
"From its controls to objectives, it upends conventions, requiring players to adjust their mindset and embrace a new kind of journey." Accessibility options receive praise for helping players navigate momentum shifts and fluctuating camera angles, though minor issues in momentum and collision are noted.
The pacing and boss encounters, nonetheless, are described as "immaculate," providing high-intensity moments within a thoughtfully paced campaign. Visually and sonically, Skate Story is a tour de force.
Its aesthetic merges glass, crystals, and chromatic aberration with dynamic particle effects, resulting in an interactive art piece.
The Score, featuring original music from Blood Cultures, is repeatedly highlighted as a standout, immersing players and setting a new standard for indie soundtracks.
Comparisons are drawn to celebrated game scores such as HEALTH’s work on Max Payne 3 and Andrew Hulshult’s Nightmare Reaper, underscoring its artistic achievement. However, technical performance is a dividing factor across platforms.
While Skate Story excels on platforms like Steam Deck — delivering smooth gameplay, visually crisp graphics, and short load times — the Nintendo Switch 2 version currently struggles.
According to a detailed review, "The performance mode is inconsistent, and graphical fidelity takes a notable hit in handheld mode, resulting in reduced effects and lower resolution." These technical shortcomings, particularly noticeable in version 1.4.0, hold back the experience and make the PC version the preferred platform for now. Despite these issues, the reviewer lauds the implementation of HD Rumble 2 on Switch 2, suggesting strong potential after future optimizations.
As of now, the recommendation for Switch 2 comes with caveats: it remains an enjoyable portable experience for skateboarding game enthusiasts, but those seeking the definitive presentation should consider Skate Story on PC or Steam Deck. Skate Story ultimately shines as one of Devolver Digital’s most memorable releases of recent years, blending boundary-pushing music, arresting visuals, and engaging gameplay into a cohesive whole.
For fans of indie games and experimental design, it’s a must-play title — and one to revisit as performance updates arrive.
As it stands, Skate Story secures its place among the year’s most compelling releases, even as it awaits technical refinement on Nintendo hardware.
Renowned for his earlier work Zarvot, Eng delivers another emotionally charged and visually bold project.
Released in 2025 for PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2, Skate Story stands out for its distinct blend of melancholic storytelling, innovative gameplay, and stunning audiovisual design.
However, while its impact is profound on PC and Steam Deck, technical hurdles undermine its experience on Nintendo’s latest hybrid console. Skate Story’s premise is as arresting as its visuals: players embody a glass demon on a surreal quest to eat the moon, armed with only their skateboarding skills and determination.
The narrative takes players through vibrant realms inhabited by eclectic NPCs and packed with inventive boss battles, challenges, and poignant moments of reflection.
As Eng’s previous title Zarvot demonstrated, blending unconventional themes with inventive mechanics is fast becoming a hallmark of his projects. "Skate Story challenges traditional skateboarding game expectations," observes a seasoned reviewer.
"From its controls to objectives, it upends conventions, requiring players to adjust their mindset and embrace a new kind of journey." Accessibility options receive praise for helping players navigate momentum shifts and fluctuating camera angles, though minor issues in momentum and collision are noted.
The pacing and boss encounters, nonetheless, are described as "immaculate," providing high-intensity moments within a thoughtfully paced campaign. Visually and sonically, Skate Story is a tour de force.
Its aesthetic merges glass, crystals, and chromatic aberration with dynamic particle effects, resulting in an interactive art piece.
The Score, featuring original music from Blood Cultures, is repeatedly highlighted as a standout, immersing players and setting a new standard for indie soundtracks.
Comparisons are drawn to celebrated game scores such as HEALTH’s work on Max Payne 3 and Andrew Hulshult’s Nightmare Reaper, underscoring its artistic achievement. However, technical performance is a dividing factor across platforms.
While Skate Story excels on platforms like Steam Deck — delivering smooth gameplay, visually crisp graphics, and short load times — the Nintendo Switch 2 version currently struggles.
According to a detailed review, "The performance mode is inconsistent, and graphical fidelity takes a notable hit in handheld mode, resulting in reduced effects and lower resolution." These technical shortcomings, particularly noticeable in version 1.4.0, hold back the experience and make the PC version the preferred platform for now. Despite these issues, the reviewer lauds the implementation of HD Rumble 2 on Switch 2, suggesting strong potential after future optimizations.
As of now, the recommendation for Switch 2 comes with caveats: it remains an enjoyable portable experience for skateboarding game enthusiasts, but those seeking the definitive presentation should consider Skate Story on PC or Steam Deck. Skate Story ultimately shines as one of Devolver Digital’s most memorable releases of recent years, blending boundary-pushing music, arresting visuals, and engaging gameplay into a cohesive whole.
For fans of indie games and experimental design, it’s a must-play title — and one to revisit as performance updates arrive.
As it stands, Skate Story secures its place among the year’s most compelling releases, even as it awaits technical refinement on Nintendo hardware.
