Dinsun Review
If you’re looking for Tony Hawk, go elsewhere. PureSkate 2 is the 'Skate' (EA) of mobile games, and it’s unapologetically difficult. I spent the first thirty minutes just trying to land a consistent kickflip. It’s frustrating, sure, but as a gamer from the era where games didn't hold your hand, I respect the learning curve. The physics engine is the star here; the way the board reacts to the speed and angle of your swipes is impressively nuanced for a phone game.
However, the world feels a bit sterile. There’s no life in these parks, no sense of a larger culture—just you and the concrete. While the 'feet-as-fingers' control scheme is clever, it can feel cramped on a smaller screen. It’s a game for the dedicated, the ones who want to record a perfect 'line' after fifty attempts. It’s technically impressive, but it lacks the 'soul' and style of the classics. Still, for a simulation, it hits the mark.
Overall Stats
Pros & Cons
- Deep, rewarding physics-based controls
- No arcade fluff—pure skating
- Excellent sense of technical progression
- Steep learning curve will repel casuals
- Lifeless environments
- UI feels a bit bare-bones
Technical Report
Performance: Very responsive touch inputs; physics calculations are stable but can occasionally bug out on edges.
Audience Fit
Buy if: You are a skater who wants a realistic, technical mobile sim.
Skip if: You want an easy-to-play arcade game with combos and power-ups.
- True Skate
- Skater
- Touchgrind Skate 2
Reviewer Context
- Reviewer: Dinsun, 40yo Male, Hyper-Critical Conservative Gamer
- Hardware: iPhone 8
- Playtime: 8 hours
- Status: Mastered basic and intermediate tricks
