Just a few years in the past, Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 1 + 2 introduced again the long-lasting skateboarding collection in tremendous type, presenting the primary two video games remade and in a single package deal.
It was so profitable in what it set out to try this Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 3 + 4 makes use of virtually the very same template. Whereas the tip result’s one other improbable arcade skating title, adjustments to the latter recreation particularly forestall this from being the slam dunk it ought to’ve been.
However earlier than we get into all that, let’s speak about what’s right here. THPS 3 + 4 is utilizing the identical tech and framework because the earlier remake assortment, bundling collectively the third and fourth titles within the franchise into one recreation.
The excellent news is that it feels equivalent to its predecessor, which suggests it feels tremendous clean and responsive to regulate. It’d take just a few runs to shake the rust off, as these are fast-paced video games that ask you to correctly interact with the instruments at your disposal. Nonetheless, as soon as you’ve got warmed up, this feels nearly as good to play because the collection ever has.
3 + 4 additionally seems nice and runs splendidly on PS5. An unshakeable 60 frames-per-second is prioritised over the very best constancy visuals, however that is to not say that is an unsightly recreation; environments look particularly good.
Whereas nonetheless recognisable for nostalgic followers, each stage has been given a improbable facelift that freshens up their look, and the outcomes are principally nice. A few of our favorite phases visually are Tokyo, London, San Francisco, and Canada, however every degree seems beautiful with nice picture high quality throughout the board.
Developer Iron Galaxy had a tricky job to do in unifying the 2 video games into one thing cohesive. Whereas the primary two video games had been structurally very comparable, 3 + 4 does not have the identical luxurious, and the result’s that the video games are extra altered this time round to make them match collectively.
Throughout each titles is a uniform method to targets and competitors phases, and whereas THPS3 is especially unaffected by this, THPS4’s tour is kind of completely different from what chances are you’ll bear in mind from the PS2 basic.
Probably the most notable distinction is that THPS4 conforms to the timed runs method prevalent within the video games that got here earlier than it. The unique adopted a extra freeform construction; you had been in a position to set off particular targets at your leisure, and ranges had been bigger, designed to be explored with no timer.
On this remake, the degrees have been retrofitted to THPS3’s timer. This does make for a extra cohesive recreation total, however it comes at the price of uprooting the unique’s intent. Followers with nostalgia for THPS4’s profession mode will doubtless be disenchanted by this transformation that feels just a little heavy-handed.
Moreover, Kona and Zoo have been transformed into competitors ranges. In contrast to common phases, these eschew targets in favour of minute-long heats by which you should rating as extremely as attainable. This implies they’re lacking all their targets from the unique recreation. Carnival and Chicago are absent altogether, although they had been extra like bonus phases and never precisely the best-liked ranges, so this is not the best loss.
What would possibly irk some individuals greater than the lacking phases is the soundtrack, which incorporates solely a handful of songs from the unique 3 and 4. Nearly all of music from these basic soundtracks is not right here, changed by new tracks. What’s included all hits the fitting tone at the least, however once more, followers of the outdated video games will not be too pleased that this remake does not fairly replicate their expertise.
Whereas all this seems like dangerous information, the actual fact is THPS4’s ranges stay a pleasure to play by means of, even with the timer in place. A number of the unique recreation’s targets are current and proper, whereas others are relegated to Professional targets, which unlock after finishing each campaigns, so you are still getting nearly all of what you’d need. It’s a disgrace that 4 could not be remade with out main adjustments, however what’s right here continues to be nice enjoyable to blast by means of.
A trio of brand name new ranges fill out THPS4’s profession — Film Studio, Waterpark, and Pinball. The previous is a contest degree, whereas the opposite two are your typical phases with targets and so forth.
They’re all actually robust Tony Hawk ranges, with actually enjoyable themes and layouts that slot proper in, feeling like pure additions to all of the basic phases you bear in mind.
Layered on prime are a whole bunch of extra challenges for probably the most devoted skaters, in addition to numerous customisation choices and an unlimited roster of professional skaters to select from. It consists of all of your outdated favourites like Rodney Mullen, Bob Burnquist, and sure, Bam Margera, however makes room for a youthful technology.
The likes of Chloe Covell, Rayssa Leal, and Yuto Horigome are nice newcomers to the collection, and together with the brand new ranges, converse to a want from Iron Galaxy to look ahead in addition to again.
There are good additions to different points of the sport too. Create-A-Park now options customized targets you may make, permitting you so as to add some targets to your individual ranges. It is most likely probably the most sturdy degree editor the collection has ever seen, so in case you’re into that aspect of Tony Hawk, you are effectively served right here.
On-line multiplayer is kind of the identical as 1 + 2, solely there is a new mode — HAWK. Once more, it is an ideal addition; you spend the primary section hiding the letters that make up HAWK, then it’s important to search the letters your opponents have positioned. It is a enjoyable new mode that rewards map information and exploration.
Conclusion
Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 3 + 4 is one other improbable skateboarding title that revives some all-time classics, albeit with some caveats. It is a disgrace that 4 could not be extra faithfully restored, however what’s included nonetheless makes for a enjoyable arcade skating expertise that followers of the collection should not skip — particularly contemplating the model new ranges and different neat secrets and techniques. It will not be the best remake, however it’s additional proof that there is life but on this timeless collection.
