SkateBIRD

SkateBIRD is a whimsical skateboarding game where players control adorable birds performing tricks in a charming, fantasy-inspired setting. Combining elements of sports, simulation, and comedy, the game offers a lighthearted narrative centered around a community of birds supporting each other through tough times. With a third-person perspective and direct control, players navigate various environments, pulling off skateboarding stunts while enjoying the game’s quirky humor and heartwarming themes.

SkateBIRD: A Whimsical Yet Flawed Flight of Fancy

Introduction

In the pantheon of skateboarding games, SkateBIRD is an oddity—a charming, feathered anomaly that soars on the strength of its premise but stumbles on the execution. Developed by Glass Bottom Games and released in September 2021, SkateBIRD is a love letter to the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series, reimagined through the lens of a tiny, skateboarding bird trying to cheer up its depressed human owner. The game’s whimsical concept, heartfelt narrative, and pun-filled dialogue make it a standout in the indie scene, but its clunky mechanics, frustrating camera, and repetitive level design prevent it from reaching the heights of its inspiration. This review will dissect SkateBIRD in exhaustive detail, exploring its development, narrative, gameplay, aesthetics, reception, and legacy.

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Development History & Context

The Birth of a Birb

SkateBIRD began as a viral tweet—a GIF of a real-life skateboarding bird that captured the imagination of Megan Fox, founder of Glass Bottom Games. The studio, known for quirky indie titles like Spartan Fist and Hot Tin Roof, saw potential in the absurd yet endearing idea of a bird on a skateboard. The project was announced in November 2018, and a Kickstarter campaign launched in June 2019, quickly surpassing its $20,000 goal to raise over $67,000. The game’s development was marked by a commitment to accessibility, humor, and a heartfelt story—elements that resonated with backers and critics alike.

A Pandemic-Proof Production

Unlike many games delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, SkateBIRD’s development was relatively unaffected. Glass Bottom Games, a virtual studio, was already accustomed to remote work. However, the game’s release was pushed back multiple times, from late 2020 to August 2021, and finally to September 16, 2021. The delays were attributed to the team’s decision to expand the game’s scope, particularly its narrative mode, which was added to make the game more accessible to newcomers.

The Skateboarding Genre in 2021

SkateBIRD arrived at a peculiar moment in the skateboarding genre’s history. The Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 remake had revitalized interest in the genre in 2020, but SkateBIRD offered something different: a smaller, more intimate experience that traded realism for charm. While THPS 1+2 was a polished, high-budget revival, SkateBIRD was a scrappy indie title that embraced its jankiness as part of its appeal.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

A Story of Depression and Hope

At its core, SkateBIRD is a story about mental health. The protagonist, a small bird, is distressed by the depression of its human owner, referred to as “Big Friend.” Big Friend, once a passionate skateboarder, has become a shell of their former self, buried under the weight of a soul-crushing corporate job. The bird’s mission is to rekindle Big Friend’s love for skateboarding, not just as a hobby, but as a metaphor for reclaiming joy in life.

The narrative is simple but effective, delivered through a series of missions where the bird befriends other avian allies, each with their own quirks and motivations. The dialogue is filled with bird puns (“Humble Bedginings,” “Afraid of Heists”) and self-aware humor, but it also carries a surprising emotional weight. Lines like “You offended me, you offended the stock market—you offended the concept of money!” and “Everyone needs money! If you don’t need money—why, that’s when you need it more than ever!” reveal a sharp critique of capitalism beneath the game’s cutesy exterior.

Themes of Community and Resistance

SkateBIRD’s story is also about community. The bird’s journey is not a solo endeavor; it’s a collective effort to lift someone out of despair. The game’s later levels, which involve infiltrating Big Friend’s workplace to sabotage their oppressive job, frame skateboarding as an act of rebellion. The birds are not just skating for fun—they’re skating to dismantle the systems that crush creativity and joy.

This theme is reinforced by the game’s soundtrack, which blends low-fi beats with punk and ska tracks that evoke the DIY spirit of skate culture. Songs like We Are The Union’s “A Better Home” underscore the game’s anti-capitalist messaging, making SkateBIRD feel like a punk manifesto disguised as a cute animal game.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

A Familiar Yet Flawed Foundation

SkateBIRD’s gameplay is heavily inspired by Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, but with a few key twists. Players control a bird on a skateboard, performing tricks, grinding rails, and collecting items in a series of bird-sized skateparks. The controls are straightforward:
– Ollie (A/X): The basic jump.
– Flip (B/Circle): Perform kickflips and heelflips.
– Grind (Y/Triangle): Lock onto rails and ledges.
– Grab (X/Square): Perform aerial grabs.
– Screech (LB/L1): A bird-specific move that adds to combos.

The game’s most notable innovation is the “FANCY” meter, which acts as a momentum gauge. The higher your FANCY, the faster and higher your bird can skate. However, this system is also one of the game’s biggest flaws. The FANCY meter depletes quickly, forcing players to constantly chain tricks to maintain speed. This can feel tedious, especially in levels where progression is gated behind high FANCY requirements.

Mission Structure and Progression

SkateBIRD’s campaign is divided into several levels, each with a series of missions. These missions range from simple trick challenges to more involved tasks, like cleaning Big Friend’s apartment or sabotaging their workplace. The missions are often creative—one involves attaching balloons to a bedsheet to make a bed—but they can also feel repetitive. Many missions boil down to “collect X items” or “score Y points,” which grows stale over time.

The game’s customization system is a highlight. Players can choose from a variety of bird species (from parrots to owls) and outfit them in hats, glasses, and other accessories. The skateboard can also be customized, though the options are limited. The customization is purely cosmetic but adds a layer of personality to the experience.

The Camera: A Persistent Problem

One of SkateBIRD’s most criticized aspects is its camera system. The game uses a fixed, behind-the-bird perspective that often struggles to keep up with the action. The camera frequently clips through walls or spins erratically, making it difficult to judge jumps and grinds. This issue is exacerbated in tight spaces, where the camera’s inability to adjust leads to frustrating collisions.

Physics and Controls: A Mixed Bag

The game’s physics are intentionally exaggerated, leaning into the absurdity of a bird on a skateboard. This works in the game’s favor at times—like when the bird flaps its wings mid-air for a double jump—but it also leads to inconsistent behavior. Tricks can feel weightless, and the bird’s movements lack the precision of Tony Hawk or Skate. The controls are simple but imprecise, making advanced combos feel more like luck than skill.

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World-Building, Art & Sound

A Miniature Wonderland

SkateBIRD’s levels are designed from a bird’s-eye view, turning everyday objects into skateable terrain. A bedroom becomes a sprawling park, with pencils as rails and pizza boxes as ramps. The game’s art style is charming but rudimentary, with simple textures and a heavy depth-of-field effect that can make distant objects blurry. The environments are colorful but often feel empty, lacking the detail and personality of Tony Hawk’s iconic levels.

A Soundtrack That Soars

The game’s soundtrack is one of its strongest assets. Composed by Nathan Madsen, the original score blends low-fi beats with punk and ska influences, creating a vibe that’s both nostalgic and fresh. The licensed tracks, from bands like We Are The Union and Grave Danger, add depth to the experience. The music is upbeat and energetic, perfectly complementing the game’s rebellious spirit.

Sound Design: Chirps and Chaos

The sound design is playful, with birds chirping, squawking, and screeching as they skate. The audio cues for tricks and grinds are satisfying, though the bird’s constant screeches can grow grating over time. The game’s voice acting is minimal but effective, with the birds’ dialogue delivered in a lighthearted, pun-filled style.

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Reception & Legacy

Critical Reception: A Mixed Bag

SkateBIRD received “mixed or average” reviews upon release, with critics praising its charm and creativity but criticizing its mechanics and camera. On Metacritic, the game holds scores of 54 (Switch), 63 (PC), and 60 (Xbox One). Reviewers like God is a Geek (7.5/10) and The Indie Game Website (8/10) lauded the game’s heart and humor, while outlets like IGN (5/10) and Nintendo Life (5/10) found the gameplay frustrating.

Player Reception: A Divided Flock

Player reactions were similarly divided. Some players adored the game’s whimsy and story, while others found the controls and camera unbearable. The game’s Steam reviews are mixed, with many players noting that SkateBIRD is more about the journey than the skating itself.

Legacy: A Cult Classic in the Making?

Despite its flaws, SkateBIRD has carved out a niche as a cult favorite. Its unique premise, heartfelt story, and punk aesthetic have earned it a dedicated fanbase. While it’s unlikely to dethrone Tony Hawk or Skate, it stands as a testament to the power of indie creativity. The game’s success has also paved the way for more experimental skateboarding titles, proving that the genre can evolve beyond realism.

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Conclusion: A Flawed but Memorable Flight

SkateBIRD is a game of contradictions. It’s charming yet clunky, heartfelt yet repetitive, innovative yet flawed. Its greatest strength is its premise—a bird skateboarding to save its depressed owner—and its greatest weakness is its execution. The game’s janky physics, frustrating camera, and repetitive missions hold it back from greatness, but its narrative, soundtrack, and sheer audacity make it worth experiencing.

Final Verdict: 6.5/10 – A flawed but endearing experiment that soars on charm alone.

For fans of Tony Hawk looking for something different, SkateBIRD offers a refreshing, if imperfect, alternative. For those who value story and humor over tight gameplay, it’s a delightful romp. But for hardcore skateboarding enthusiasts, it may feel like a missed opportunity. Ultimately, SkateBIRD is a game that tries its best—and sometimes, that’s enough.