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| Pictured - a still from the Skate Story's trailer showing the moon and the skater. |
If you heard "Skate Story" and pictured another arcadey skateboarding sim, you're in for a shock. Launched on Steam this December by solo developer Sam Eng and published by Devolver Digital, this indie RPG isn't about scoring big combos in a sunny skate park. Instead, it drops you into the ash-choked boots of a fragile, glass-skinned demon, on a desperate quest to swallow the moon.
Priced at $19.99, Skate Story positions itself as a premium, mid-range PC title, a deliberate and polished experience far from free-to-play trends. And players are responding in droves. Since its release on December 8, 2025, the game has earned an "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating on Steam, with a staggering 96% of user reviews singing its praises.
So, what's the hook? It’s a narrative-driven, fever-dream adventure built on a foundation of incredibly precise skating physics. The goal is simple yet surreal: escape your contract with the Devil by skating across the haunting "Emptylands" to reach and consume the moon. The magic, however, is in the journey—learning the weight and flow of each ollie, kickflip, and grind to navigate a world that feels like a dystopian art installation, bathed in eerie neon and deep shadows.
You can dive into the vibrant player discussion and see the reviews for yourself on the official Steam store page.
A New Standard for Feel and Flow
The critical acclaim isn't just about the strange story. Reviewers and players alike are captivated by the game's "visceral" and "smooth" controls. They describe a perfect marriage between the synth-heavy, atmospheric soundtrack and the physical act of skating, creating a state of flow that’s as meditative as it is thrilling. Publications like The Verge have hailed it as "one of the most distinctive skateboarding games of the decade," praising its harsh beauty and grounded trick system.
For those who love to dig into the data, the game’s performance and statistics can be tracked in detail over on SteamDB.
While criticism is minimal, some players note the game’s focused, linear structure and wish for a chapter-select feature to replay stunning individual areas. Yet, these points hardly dampen the enthusiasm. The community is treating Skate Story as a flagship for a new wave of experimental skate games, placing it in the artistic company of Sayonara Wild Hearts while honoring the indie skate spirit of OlliOlli World.
Built for Portable Play
Adding to its appeal, Skate Story is a perfectly portable experience. It features full controller support on PC and is Verified for the Steam Deck, letting you take this atmospheric quest on the go. For those looking to upgrade their handheld setup, the top-tier 1TB OLED model is a fantastic choice.
Ready to start your demonic skate pilgrimage? Skate Story is available now on Steam. And if you need the perfect device to play it on, you can check out the latest Steam Deck models, like the 1TB OLED version currently available on Amazon.