While the Vz. 52 is a semi-automatic tilting-block rifle, most similarity to the SKS ends there. Unlike most other tilting-blocks, the Vz. 52's bolt tilts down and forward to lock rather than down and backward. Also, unlike the SKS, it has detatchable magazines though it can also be loaded through the top of the action with stripper clips.
The story behind it is that the Czechs have always had a tendency to "go their own way" when it came to firearms and preferred indigenous designs to imported ones. As such, while most other Warsaw Pact nations were using their own variations of Mosin-Nagant and/or SKS, the Czechs came up with the Vz. 52. Unfortunately, the Soviets weren't too wild about it because it used non-standard 7.62x45 ammo rather than the 7.62x39 M43 cartridge. The rifle remained in production for only a few years before the Czechs gave in to Soviet pressure and standardized on 7.62x39. Some Vz. 52's were converted to the Soviet cartridge and re-designated Vz. 52/57, but most were phased out upon the adoption of the Vz. 58 Assault rifle.
While generally considered to be fine rifles, ammo has always been a problem as no majaor manufacturer that I'm aware of produces 7.62x45 ammo. That leaves someone wanting to shoot an unmodified Vz. 52 with only a few options: try to scrounge up some surplus ammo (there never has seemed to be very much), have a custom ammo company make it for you (likely very expensive), or re-form and trim a different caliber cases to handload it yourself (doable but likely a lot of time and effort). There were some chamber adapters made at one time to allow 7.62x39 ammo to be shot, but I've never heard or read particularly good things about them (there has never seemed to be a really good way to affix them inside the chamber).