First impressions from the game: San Vansterdam and its inhabitants are sterile as humanly possible. Everything looks artificial and AI generated. No grit or soul, it feels like I'm just in a toy box masquerading as a city.
Flip trick execution IS more consistent than Skate 3. Grinds, however, good luck. You will clip into edges from stairs, stoops, sidewalks, railings, even buildings. It's a dice roll if you'll successfully achieve a grind, get stuck into transitions or just be flung out of your line. That makes challenges harder to complete because of inconsistent hit detection between your board and the environment.
I hate how progression works in skate. You level up districts by completing challenges and missions. Most challenges cycle through on a daily basis, but they have the same structure. Collect bearings while completing a set criteria of tricks/grinds/points (line), achieve a sequence of points while doing specific objectives at once (own the spot) or accumulate all the above (sessions.)
Lines are annoying because you have to achieve all objectives without bailing. Again, good luck if a bearing is at a jump or grind. You may land it or bail from bullshit. You have to teleport to the shops to level up your district progression. That messes with the flow.
