“Skate 2” is fresh. It is much better than its predecessor in almost every way. The sequel has definitely lived up to the hype. The main goal of the game is to take your created skater and finish missions that include learning new tricks and out-performing other skaters. For each completed challenge, you win cash. Toward the end of the game, you can also get sponsorships from brands such as DC, Spitfire, Element and many more. You can use your cash for buying new gear, new apparel or new skate parks.

Among the things that have improved are trick repertoire, map size, storyline, and realism. Pro skateboarders are a big part of the game as well. Skaters like Marc Johnson, Colin McKay, Danny Way, Eric Koston and many more are featured throughout the game. Rob Dyrdek is also involved in a couple of missions and is accompanied by the co-star of his hit television show, “Rob and Big,” Chris “Big Black” Boykin. “Big Black” is Dyrdek’s bodyguard in real life, but in the game he can help your skater finish missions.

The city of New San Vanelona (where the game takes place) has been “skate-proofed” and is crawling with security guards on every block. If you are skating in a highly populated area, chances are that New San Van security will run up on you and knock you off of your board, keeping you from performing the necessary tricks to finish the mission. But if you complete enough of Dyrdek’s challenges, you acquire Big Black’s phone number, enabling you to buy his “services” for $500, effectively keeping the guards off of your back.

This game is anything but boring. If you get tired of trying to complete missions, (and there are plenty of them), you can always “freeskate” online with gamers from around the world. You can also switch it up and play “S.K.A.T.E.,” which is a version of HORSE, a game usually played in basketball. Each player has to land the same trick as the skater before him.

Skateboarders know all too well the risks they take when attempting these acrobatic tricks. The “Hall Of Meat” challenges give you money and points for your gnarly wipe-outs. Actually, it’s pretty entertaining. There’s even a game mode called “Hall of Meat” where you go up against your buddies and the biggest, most hardcore crash wins.

I love playing online and talking to friends while we try to out-trick each other. Some of the drops in the game are terrifying, but since it’s your “character” and not you dropping down into a 100-foot ramp, there’s no hesitation.

Another great addition to the sequel is the ability to get off of your board, run around and move ramps and rails to the positions that you want. This ability not only helps with completing some difficult challenges, but also brings a whole new “user-generated” feel to the game. If there’s a picnic bench, you can move it. If there’s a dumpster blocking your way, slide it out. Ramps and rails can be moved anywhere in the map along with many other objects.

If there’s one thing that I dislike about “Skate 2,” it is the character movement when you are off of your board. It’s sometimes difficult to move in the direction that you want to go. Sometimes that means going off of a high ledge that you didn’t want to get off of. It can get kind of frustrating, especially if you are attempting a mission with a time frame.

It didn’t take me that long to finish the main career objectives. I still have a couple of side missions to complete, but for the most part, I have gained the achievements for the game.

All in all, this game is a blast to play. There’s plenty to do in career mode but also a great online multiplayer option. I would give it 9 out of 10 for game play, 8 out of 10 for graphics and a solid 10 out of 10 for ingenuity and creativeness. I would definitely recommend this game to any style of gamer. When it comes down to it, this game is just plain fun. With a stellar story mode and an infinitely changing online experience, this game was well worth the $60 I paid for it.