5e Spelljammer game

[GM Anthraxus]

It seems like it would require a lot of creativity on the part of the player and DM to get more out of Acrobatics than just balancing on stuff.

It really depends on the focus of the character.  I've found that the characters that have proficiency in Acrobatics tend to find ways to use it. In Wildspace there are more opportunities for Acrobatics, particularly when moving from ship-to-ship freestyle or when tossed overboard for whatever reason.  In my view, if the player can make a solid argument for why a given skill check should be done with Acrobatics vs Athletics then I can be pretty flexible on that.