I wouldn´t say it like that. Especially in terms of spot hunting (hot take here) i think this one is actually better than skate 3. If i go out searching and doing clips or whatever i always have a great time with this game and after 100s of hours i still find stuff if i look. That the controls are just better/smoother opened up so much creativity for me, also adding to this.
But there´s always planning involved. Often times using quick drop objects and yes i also often end up with just a single trick.
On the other hand, when i just want so cruise around i often get bored quickly. As you said it´s hard to get into a flow. I think especially on the streets there is a lack of variety in feel. Mostly just basic ledges and handrails. sometimes banks but those are often times super small or in awkward positions. Generally everthing being a bit flat. Some spots being so small and only flowing one way also doesn´t help.
Additionally in terms signaling the appropriate speed it could be better. This time the spots often feel a lot more crammed and are smaller. In the old games there was often way more space between objects and you often could just go full speed and still had enough time to prepare for what to do next.
Speed generally is a big one that i often got wrong when first starting to play the game coming from the old ones. As in always going waaay to fast. If you keep it slow and relaxed you´ll often find the flow of an area. I think this is actually a good thing, just should have some more variety/thought put into it.
Also how you get funneled when cruising around is kinda dull. The game always seems to pull you towards the outer road at the beach. (of course since it´s just a round hill) Doesn´t even matter to me what game. Circles are always weird. Even with open world games, i think there should be alot more thought put into games in how to break up environments. Not even just in how it´s skateable. Just creating a vibe adds so much to any game. Like for example hiking through an area to reach some drainage with spots in it, creates a vibe simply by seperating the place from the main map aside from having more nature and the like.
But again in most of this skate 3 wasn´t much better i think.
In this regard the first games had it right (even if it´s just basic and a lot more could have been done) Just have the map be a huge snowboard game style downhill map. That way you could cruise with multiple routes that go on for minutes. Sure it funneled you but just taking longer was enough and the spots were often bigger.
Also i remember especially the second one not being as flat in general. Having way more small bumps and sloped curves and the like even on the street. Snowboardstyle stuff. Haven´t played it in over 10 years though and might just remember it wrong.
And judging from other places this topic has been discussed to death. It´s also kinda hard to pinpoint the problems cause it´s more of a vibe thing. I´m sure you could go through the games and show the exact opposite of what i just said.
Also, as you get better at the games you´ll just have a different approach. I´m sure some of the skate 2 stuff that i considered the best thing ever would now just be "WHY IS THERE ANOTHER BASIC %&%§ HANDRAIL HERE"
cheers
