SkateBIRD
- September 16, 2021
- glassbottommeg
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"SkateBIRD" is a DRM-free game where you play as a tiny bird with a passion for skateboarding. Your goal is to bring joy to your "Big Friend" by fixing their dull life with the power of bird skating. Explore bird-sized skate parks, discover hidden mixtapes and clothing, and help other birds while skating to a chill, original soundtrack. The game encourages a lighthearted and positive attitude, with the motto "skate birds try their best."
Reviews
- Charming and cute visuals with a fun concept of skateboarding birds.
- Great character customization options and a delightful soundtrack.
- Offers a casual and relaxing gameplay experience, perfect for bird lovers.
- Controls and physics are often clunky and unresponsive, leading to frustrating gameplay.
- Camera issues can make navigation difficult and disorienting.
- Some missions have tight time limits that can be discouraging for new players.
- story143 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story of "Skatebird" is characterized by its whimsical and humorous dialogue, featuring quirky bird characters and lighthearted missions that revolve around helping a pet bird reconnect with its owner. While many players find the narrative charming and fitting for the game's casual tone, some criticize the missions for being repetitive and lacking depth, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the story is seen as a delightful backdrop to the gameplay, though it may not appeal to everyone due to its simplicity and linear mission structure.
“Skatebird is a masterpiece of skateboarding games; the story is funny and cool. This game is one big indie skateboarding game masterpiece.”
“The story was silly and cool in the right way that made things fun and made me want to finish each mission to see the next joke and story bit.”
“The story so far is cute and the dialogue between birds is fun.”
“The story didn't appeal to me; I think I unlocked the first and almost second level and proceeded to unlock the other levels with console commands. I don't know the story of the game, and I played in Spanish because I didn't see cursing every two or three phrases like in English.”
“The missions themselves feel like marking things off a checklist rather than the zany fun of Tony Hawk games.”
“The story so far is cute, but the gameplay is just frustrating.”
- music106 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the original soundtrack and its catchy tunes, particularly in the ska and punk genres, while others find it bland or unappealing. Many players appreciate the option to unlock additional tracks and customize their listening experience, but some criticize the inclusion of certain licensed songs and political themes in the lyrics. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a highlight for those who enjoy its style, contributing positively to the game's quirky atmosphere.
“The soundtrack is fun to skate around to and adds to the novelty of the game.”
“The music is amazing and I love all of the soundtracks; it honestly made me feel like I was back to playing those old Tony Hawk Pro Skater games just grinding away and getting a huge combo!”
“Mix in the unhinged birb dialogue and the rad indie bands rocking out in the soundtrack and you have a truly lovely package in front of you.”
“The music is also very bland, which is a shame.”
“Oh and just mute the in-game soundtrack, the old Tony Hawk game soundtracks are available on YouTube, so just listen to that instead.”
“Turn off the catchy music and you'll see how lazy the sound design is.”
- gameplay77 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this skating game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its focus on mastering tricks and maneuvers, but criticizing the clunky controls and floaty mechanics that detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the customization options and the cute aesthetic, others feel that the level design and core mechanics fall short compared to classic skateboarding games like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. Overall, the game is seen as fun and charming, but lacking the polish and depth expected from a top-tier skateboarding title.
“That said, it's still very much a skating game with a gameplay focus on mastering different tricks and maneuvers.”
“The style is genuinely cute, and the gameplay is fun and relaxing, which a lot of us need these days.”
“Customization, good music, easy to pick up but nuanced skating mechanics/controls, a story mode with a solid mix of a good message but good humor - what more could you ask for for $20?”
“Unfortunately, the controls and gameplay don't come close to actual THPS, and since this released pretty close to Pro Skater 1+2, that's extra salt in the wound.”
“The map design is questionable, with random trip hazards around the map. Some edges look grindable but aren't, and there are just random unused areas that should be blocked off because they serve no purpose in gameplay.”
“The gameplay feels quite floaty, and I've had so many times where a half pipe would somehow make me crash because my bird would not align to fall back into the half pipe, ruining my tricks.”
- humor40 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cute and whimsical dialogue, featuring funny bird characters and clever puns that enhance the overall experience. While many players find the comedic elements charming and entertaining, some feel that the humor can be hit-or-miss, with occasional attempts at political commentary that may not resonate with everyone. Overall, the game's lighthearted tone and engaging writing contribute significantly to its appeal, making it a fun and enjoyable experience for players.
“The dialog is cute and funny as you use your skateboard (and bird logic) to solve all the missions of each level.”
“The dialogue is hilarious and I had a great time playing it on my stream.”
“Adorable birbs, hilarious and candid dialogue; the birb characters are all just so great.”
- graphics29 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the charming art style and attention to detail in the bird modeling and environments. However, several critiques highlight that the visuals feel outdated for a 2021 release, and the overall execution lacks polish, leading to clunky gameplay. While the aesthetics and soundtrack are praised, some players feel that the graphics do not elevate the gaming experience significantly, suggesting that the game could benefit from further optimization and refinement.
“The graphics and physical movements of the bird are quite impressive, especially given that this is on the Steam Deck and not my gaming laptop. Judging from past reviews, the developer has worked very hard on this game.”
“Graphics are great; I personally love the design and character of this game.”
“The visual aesthetic pairs really well with the music for the most part, showcasing some attention to detail.”
“The visuals look outdated and the gameplay is clunky.”
“Visuals: Skatebird sadly doesn't look like a game released in 2021, which includes the birds.”
“Game still manages to run poorly even with the basic graphics, so I can't even use max settings.”
- grinding16 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding mechanics in the game are often criticized for being tedious and frustrating, with players experiencing issues related to imprecise controls and the need for trial-and-error in sidequests. While the novelty of a bird grinding on household objects is charming, the execution can lead to a lack of smoothness in gameplay, making it difficult to achieve desired actions without repeated attempts. Overall, while the concept is enjoyable, the grinding experience can detract from the overall fun due to its clunky nature and the time required for full completion.
“Several of the side quests demand a trial-and-error approach that can grow tedious and frustrating more often than not - if you want every achievement, you're probably looking at over a dozen hours for full completion.”
“The game doesn't exactly feel the smoothest to play; getting to where you need to go for certain missions is very tedious or unintuitive with how the game controls, and the game feels like it's trying really hard to be funny with its dialogue, but it just falls flat.”
“Grinding and stalling can be a pain - if you are directing yourself forward, that input will immediately register on the balance meter and you will bail so many times by accident, which just feels awful in a game where you fall over a lot already due to its floatiness.”
- emotional12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome and nostalgic qualities, evoking feelings of joy and humor through its engaging storyline and charming soundtrack. Players express a deep connection, with some even moved to tears, highlighting the game's ability to resonate on a personal level while providing a fun and casual experience. Overall, it is celebrated as a touching tribute to classic skateboarding games, appealing especially to bird lovers and fans of the genre.
“This game genuinely made me cry; the first hour of this game had me in tears because it wouldn't run correctly on my laptop.”
“Definitely a very fun and wholesome game that is perfect for bird lovers.”
“A lovely wholesome game.”
- stability5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game exhibits significant stability issues, with numerous bugs and glitches reported within the first hour of play, particularly affecting animations and camera movements. While the charming concept and fun elements are appreciated, the overall experience is marred by these technical problems, leading to a lack of recommendation until improvements are made.
“It has been in development for at least 3 years and the game itself is pretty simple, yet I've encountered a lot of glitches within the first hour.”
“Which basically ruins all of the effort in doing a line (which is what makes skating games fun). The animations on a lot of tricks are very buggy and/or just terribly animated.”
“The game has a fun charm and cool concept but can't recommend right now with its buggy camera movements.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game offers some charm and decent replay value, but it lacks the level design and replayability of classic Tony Hawk titles, allowing players to complete it in just a few hours. While it serves as a fun parody of the franchise, many feel it doesn't justify its $25 price tag, though there is potential for a sequel that could enhance its replayability significantly.
“It had a ton of charm to it, and I definitely knew the game was going to be of the goofy kind watching the trailers and playing the beta, so I didn't expect tight controls and extreme replayability like Tony Hawk, more so a parody/love letter to that franchise.”
“I do not believe this game is worth the $25 price tag, but I do believe if the developers wanted to, they could make a sequel based more on momentum to gain speed, have a gliding mechanic, and have the top speed be like 5x faster, and it would be a great, almost infinitely replayable game.”
“It doesn't have the replayability or level design of the old school Tony Hawk games, but it has the music, the gameplay, and the spirit.”
“I didn't expect tight controls and extreme replayability like Tony Hawk, more so a parody/love letter to that franchise.”
“You can 100% this game in a few hours, and there's some decent replay value.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is generally praised, particularly for its performance on lower-end PCs, but it suffers from significant issues such as clunky controls, camera stuttering, and clipping meshes, which detract from the overall experience.
“The game is really well optimized and fun to play on PC, even on my laptop that doesn't run many modern games too well.”
“I know my original Xbox One runs Halo Infinite better than my laptop, which speaks volumes about the game's optimization.”
“Next is optimization, especially regarding graphic settings.”
“As an avid bird fan and ex-owner of budgies and tiels, even with my bias for birds, I seriously cannot get over the clunky controls, clipping meshes, and stuttering camera.”
“The camera and controls killed it for me; I was fighting to just play the game normally without the camera stuttering and getting caught on stuff.”
“Next is optimization, especially graphic settings.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is praised for its extensive design, showcasing a variety of cute birds that possess distinct and vibrant personalities, enhancing the overall player experience.
“The character designer is great, and the birds have huge personalities.”
“The character design is extensive, showcasing a variety of cute birds.”
