The climbing and traversal system in the new skate. game is one of its best features. San Vansterdam has a lot of verticality to it, and this opens the door to some incredible skating spots. Surprisingly, you’ll find most of these in the first two areas of the game, Hedgemont and Gullcrest Village. While the overall skating feel in the game is great, it’s the spots themselves that make it a canvas for creativity. Here’s a rundown of some of the best spots in skate.
Uppercut – Hedgemont
When you first enter this area, you wouldn’t even consider it to be very interesting. However, once you skate through it a couple of times, you’ll realize there’s a lot going on here. You can drop in from the railing or from the Skateway onto one of the two ramps separated by a stretch of water. Then, there’s a railing that you can grind, but there’s a space between the railing that leads to another ramp with a long jump at the end of it.
Finally, as you skate straight on, you’ll find a ramp that allows you to launch yourself upward over a set of stairs. Backflip, hardflip, or grind onto the curb to finish your line. This is just one line that I was able to create, but with all the ramps scattered throughout Uppercut in the Hedgemont area, there’s a lot more you can do.
Chum Bucket – Brickswitch
This is one of the more popular spots in the game right now, other than the crazier mega ramps and diving point that we’ll cover later. You can drop in from a gigantic grey ramp that leads you into the recognizable blue ramps. Timing is everything in this spot, as there’s a gap right in the center of one of the ramps that can ruin your day.
This one is less about airtime and more about the endless possibilities for lines. If you do want airtime, though, you can use the Spread Eagle mechanic to fly to the nearby parking lot right as you jump off the last blue ramp. Land it right, and you can continue onto the street with traffic. It’s the sort of place where you can spend a whole hour just perfecting your lines.
El-One Courts – Gullcrest
This spot in Gullcrest isn’t exactly the craziest, but it rewards technical skill. I recommend starting a line in this spot from the ramp that’s just behind the dinosaur statue’s tail. Use the platform for the dinosaur statues to launch yourself toward the left or right. Either way, you’ll be greeted by a set of stairs with a railing in the center. Grind the stairs, or ollie over them to then transition into a manual until you reach the next set of stairs on the left or right.
It’s style over spectacle this one, and realistic skaters might appreciate that more. If you’re a purist who wants to land some clean, classic, and technical tricks, definitely check this one out. For those who do want to throw in some craziness, try backflipping when you launch yourself from the tiny ramp on the dinosaur statue’s foundation.
Strand Street Rooftop Mega Ramp – Gullcrest
This is one of the crazier spots in the game. If a gigantic ramp is what you’re looking for, this is it. Drop in from the main mega ramp and do a flip trick as you’re launched to the next building. There are more ramps here that lead to a different section of this new building, with a vert ramp at the end. Use this vert ramp to rotate back to another ramp that leads you to a jump that leads you back to the original starting building.
Yeah, there’s a lot going on here. This one almost feels like its own mini skate part, which is exactly why it’s my favorite spot in the game. There are a lot of possible tricks to do in the air, and the pumping transition on that Vert ramp never gets old. It’s satisfying, surprisingly easy to master, but ultimately rewarding.
Tri-Towers Blue Ramp – Hedgemont
Another very popular spot in the game. You can start this one off from the main Tri-Towers dropping point, which will throw you below onto the notorious blue ramp. If you stick the landing (took me a couple tries), the ending of the ramp will throw you to a new rooftop with a Vert ramp at the end. Nail the transition, and you can rotate back to another small rooftop just below to end the line.
Clearing massive gaps, sticking the landing, and rotating correctly won’t be easy when you’re at high speed. This is why this spot is one that requires a lot of confidence and precision. This high-stakes spot is a lot of fun, but doesn’t offer the most creativity. It gets a bit boring after you’ve pretty much nailed it the first couple of times. Still, that initial rush is incredible.
Hartcore Plaza Crane – Hedgemont
If you haven’t already tried climbing the gigantic gold building in Hartcore Plaza with the crane at the top, you’re missing out. It’s one of those spots that many were wanting to see for themselves while waiting for early access. It’s a simple one, really, run and dive off the crane to fly onto a rooftop with a bowl-shaped ramp.
You build an insane amount of momentum as soon as you land, and you can either do some Vert tricks here or launch yourself again. Fly to the nearby P-Hus building if you can, as this will give you access to another great spot. This crane is a great starting point, as the momentum you get from flying allows you to connect to different spots in the map.
P-Hus Rooftop Ramp – Gullcrest
P-Hus, in general, is one of the best areas in the game, as this parking lot offers a world of possibilities. The best spot, though, is on the roof. There’s a massive mega ramp up top that launches you over the House of Rolling Reverence. Technically, there are two ramps here: the one that launches you over the church, and the one that launches you inside. Both are equally fun.
The ramp on the left lets you backflip or flip trick over the entire church building, though the landing won’t be a soft one at the end. And if you’re a good enough skater, the right ramp can lead you through a circular window into the church itself. Both ramps require a good bit of skill, and they can be intimidating because of the ending. You need guts and a fair bit of technical skill to own this spot with grace.
House Of Rollin’ Reverence – Gullcrest
One of the few indoor spots in the game that’s actually enjoyable. The House of Rollin’ Reverence is a fantastic spot that features a mix of transitions, mini-ramps, and grind rails. It’s sort of like a small, contained skate park. Its overall design is beautiful, with captivating neon lights that somehow don’t look out of place in a church.
This spot is great for a chilled-out skate session with your friends. In some ways, it feels like a mini Tony Hawk level with all the small ramps, grinds, and transition spots. The unique, flowing design of the skatepark makes it an ideal spot to just flow and enjoy the beautiful physics of the game. It’s the perfect place for skaters who want to hone their skills without the risk of breaking a bone
