Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 Review – You Win Some, Lose Some

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Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3. This omission was noticeable in the first remake as it shared similarities with the third game. However, with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 on the horizon, some decisions made by developer Iron Galaxy might not sit well with fans of the original games, even though this second remake is still an outstanding Tony Hawk game.

The initial trilogy of games complemented each other beautifully, with each successive game introducing fresh mechanics that culminated in an all-encompassing trick system by Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3. Each game followed the same structure, offering players two minutes to accomplish as many objectives as possible, while executing tricks and racking up high scores, before transitioning to another two-minute session. This layout is engaging, making it challenging not to keep trying for just one more run.

In contrast to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, which featured open-roamable levels with characters who provided missions as their homes, the fourth game had time limits only for specific challenges when skaters like Geoff Rowley asked you to steal police hats or students requested revenge on frat boys. Now, in THPS 3 and 4, the levels from 4 have been redesigned to mimic the behavior and playstyle of the first three games. This results in fewer objectives per level, no mission-givers, and a time limit added for good measure.

As a devoted fan, I must confess that redesigning 4’s levels to mimic those from the original trilogy feels like a letdown, despite the fact that these revamped stages remain exhilarating to skate through. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 marked the point where the series began injecting more character and sharpening its edge into the gameplay formula, which was further accentuated in the Tony Hawk’s Underground series. Instead of assisting Ollie the Bum in his battle against the hallucinating pink elephants, we are now tasked with collecting all those mysteriously floating elephants as per the game’s instructions. A multitude of objectives, such as racing the inline skater at College or feeding the hippos at Zoo, seem to have vanished from the game entirely.

As a devoted fan, I must admit that the reimagined Zoo in THPS 4 lacks the animal-filled charm it once had, instead transforming into a high-stakes competition arena, reminiscent of the original three games. While these competition maps limit gameplay to brief, goal-less rounds, I believe extending the playtime to two minutes and incorporating various challenges would truly breathe life into these levels. Unfortunately, THPS 4 seems to lack the unique character that made its predecessor stand out, leaving me with a feeling that THPS 3+4 is more about cashing in on the remake than it is about passionately recreating a classic.

In the remake of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3, there have been some alterations that deviate from the original game’s structure. These changes often seem arbitrary and diminish the enjoyment derived from the initial version. For instance, unlike the original where each skater had their unique tour, the remake starts you off with Career mode, which offers a fixed list of objectives for every level regardless of the skater you choose. However, you can switch between skaters freely while maintaining your progress. In the original game, each skater’s tour was distinct, offering different goals based on whether your character specialized in Vert or Street skating. For example, a Street skater would be asked to perform a Crooked Grind around the baggage claim instead of a more challenging Airwalk over the escalator at Airport. The changes implemented in the 3+4 disc version revert these differences, meaning that regardless of your chosen character, you’ll be required to execute the Airwalk. Additionally, the S-K-A-T-E letters, which were previously located in specific spots for each type of skater, are now scattered across a single set of locations within each level during Career mode.

In the revamped version of the game, an unexpected step is added: you need to locate a toolbox before achieving the “Raise the Ferry” goal on Cruise Ship. This requirement wasn’t part of the original game, and unlike other important items such as the axe for the “Help the Thin Man” objective in Suburbia, the toolbox isn’t highlighted or floating. Instead, Skater Island’s secret area is already visible upon arrival, contrary to its original hidden nature, which was initially confusing but might be connected to another secret area added by the developer to the pirate ship. Some players might find these alterations minor, but for fans who cherish these levels as much as World 1-1 in Super Mario Bros, they are disheartening and puzzling changes in a remake that should preserve those cherished memories.

In Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4, some memories can be revisited under certain conditions. After accomplishing every objective on each level, you unlock Pro Goals – an additional set of five tasks for each level, ranging from easy to challenging. For example, finding five Red Bull cans is straightforward, but gathering the letters C-O-M-B-O while maintaining a single combo can be more demanding. Pro Goals provide a rewarding challenge and sometimes even left me puzzled, as finding passports is usually harder than locating Red Bull cans. If you’re having trouble with them, you can extend the time limit to an hour, providing ample time to explore the levels and decipher what steps are required to complete a difficult objective. Once all Pro Goals have been completed, Solo Tour will be unlocked, which operates similarly to the original Career mode in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 – accumulating stat points, cash, and Iron Galaxy logos remain obtainable.

Playing through to complete the Solo Tour in this game can be a fulfilling and gratifying experience, but the process required to access it feels unusual for the series. In Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2, Solo Tours were introduced post-launch, and they weren’t something you had to earn. It’s perplexing that the traditional way to play the original trilogy has been transformed into a locked-away endgame in this remake. Moreover, it’s frustrating that each skater still accumulates stat points in Solo Tour, as by the time you unlock it, you should have nearly maxed out every skater’s stats. This results in all the skaters playing remarkably similar to each other.

Although there are several issues, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 remains a game in the Tony Hawk series and lives up to expectations by playing exceptionally well. Performing the familiar button sequences and seeing them transformed into redesigned animations of favorite tricks is consistently satisfying, whether it’s pulling off a Kickflip into a Benihana followed by a manual, or using trick extensions to prolong an extremely long grind.

The renovations on the levels are stunning, transporting old maps from the PlayStation 2 era into vivid, vibrant landscapes. In Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3, the Foundry crackles with steam and sparks, while Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 offers a breathtaking sunset view of San Francisco as an ideal backdrop for tricks. Although the maps in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 have fewer non-player characters, they still make for excellent skating arenas. The absence of animals in Zoo gives it a haunting feel, like returning to a location long shut down and reimagined with new ramps and half pipes, as if we’ve visited years later.

In the new version, only two maps from the original THPS 4 games are absent: Carnival and Chicago, which was originally used in Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX 2. To compensate for this, Iron Galaxy has created three entirely new maps that surpass the quality of the omitted ones. These fresh maps seamlessly blend with the original feel of the game. Movie Studio offers a perfect level design with an impressive green-screen backdrop and props. Waterpark boasts fantastic pools, water slides for tricks like grinds, manuals, and linking combos to other parts of the level. Lastly, Pinball bears resemblance to Skate Heaven from THPS 2, serving as a reward for completing previous levels. It’s a large, zombie-themed pinball table that may not be the best level in the game but is undeniably memorable and offers unique pinball-style challenges.

Beyond its impressive gameplay and captivating stages, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater (THPS) series has been instrumental in introducing various professional skaters and a diverse array of musicians, including bands and rappers. Continuing this tradition, THPS 3+4 welcomes back most skaters from the original games, excluding fictional characters like Darth Maul and Wolverine, while also introducing fresh faces to the series. For a game that leans heavily on arcade-style action, it’s remarkable how it immerses players in the authentic world of skateboarding, showcasing up-and-coming skaters. However, my only concern regarding the cast list is that Bam Margera must be unlocked in THPS 3+4, but his decks and alternate costumes are not available for selection.

Speaking about the music, THPS 3+4 boasts an incredible soundtrack, incorporating many popular tracks from the original THPS 3 and 4, along with a fantastic assortment of punk, metal, and hip-hop tunes that seamlessly complement the rest. While it may lack “I’m a Swing It” by House of Pain, I am thrilled to share that “Norf Norf” by Vince Staples has found its way into my head once more. Additionally, filling up your special meter introduces a generous dose of reverb to the music, giving the game an authentic and intense feel, as if things have just gotten really real.

In its comeback from THPS 1 and 2, Create-A-Park introduces some fresh features, notably enabling users to include objectives within their parks. Although the initial remake’s levels were intriguing, none captured my attention enough for extended playtime. However, goals seem like a thoughtful enhancement that may motivate players to explore levels beyond brief gaming sessions. It remains to be seen if creators will join in, but with its new tools, Create-A-Park has potential for success.

In this game, multiplayer action is back, featuring various competitive modes such as Trick Attack where you strive for the highest score, Combo Mambo where your goal is to link the longest combo, and Graffiti where you perform tricks on specific parts of the level to color them with your mark. Entering a room filled with players and using the game’s superb voice chat system creates an electrifying challenge to become the top skater in the room.

With the introduction of the innovative HAWK mode, the multiplayer aspect of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater truly excels. This mode is divided into Hide and Seek rounds. In Hide rounds, players must navigate through a level and strategically place their H-A-W-K letters in spots that their opponents might miss. On the other hand, Seek rounds challenge you to find other players’ letters. You earn points for each letter you discover from another player and for every letter of yours that remains hidden. Levels such as Airport make HAWK feel like a thrilling race to grab all the letters before your opponents, resulting in intense battles to execute the perfect tricks to uncover a cunningly concealed letter. In expansive levels like Waterpark, map knowledge proves beneficial, as there are numerous tricky spots to stash the letters. I’m eagerly looking forward to delving deeper into HAWK as more players join online.

The remastered versions of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4 offer an incredible skateboarding gaming experience, but some gamers might hesitate due to certain peculiar choices in the Career mode and THPS 4 levels. Certain adjustments seem unnecessary, and THPS 4 doesn’t seamlessly blend into the same framework as the original trilogy. It’s unfortunate that new players won’t get to play the fourth game as originally intended. However, once the initial letdown subsides, you’re left with a remake that still controls as smoothly as ever, which makes it enjoyable for everyone regardless of their gaming history.

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2025-07-07 20:11