A number of years in the past, Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 1 + 2 introduced again the enduring skateboarding collection in advantageous kind, 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 incredible arcade skating title, adjustments to the latter recreation particularly stop this from being the slam dunk it ought to’ve been.
However earlier than we get into all that, let’s discuss 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 similar to its predecessor, which suggests it feels tremendous clean and responsive to regulate. It would take a number of 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. Nevertheless, as soon as you have warmed up, this feels pretty much 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 incredible facelift that freshens up their look, and the outcomes are largely nice. A few of our favorite levels visually are Tokyo, London, San Francisco, and Canada, however every stage seems beautiful with nice picture high quality throughout the board.
Developer Iron Galaxy had a troublesome job to do in unifying the 2 video games into one thing cohesive. Whereas the primary two video games had been structurally very related, 3 + 4 would 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 objectives and competitors levels, and whereas THPS3 is principally unaffected by this, THPS4’s tour is kind of totally different from what chances are you’ll bear in mind from the PS2 traditional.
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 objectives at your leisure, and ranges had been bigger, designed to be explored and not using a timer.
On this remake, the degrees have been retrofitted to THPS3’s timer. This does make for a extra cohesive recreation general, nevertheless it comes at the price of uprooting the unique’s intent. Followers with nostalgia for THPS4’s profession mode will seemingly be dissatisfied by this transformation that feels a bit of heavy-handed.
Moreover, Kona and Zoo have been transformed into competitors ranges. Not like common levels, these eschew objectives in favour of minute-long heats during which you must rating as extremely as attainable. This implies they’re lacking all their objectives from the unique recreation. Carnival and Chicago are absent altogether, although they had been extra like bonus levels and never precisely the best-liked ranges, so this is not the best loss.
What would possibly irk some individuals greater than the lacking levels is the soundtrack, which incorporates solely a handful of songs from the unique 3 and 4. Nearly all of music from these traditional soundtracks is not right here, changed by new tracks. What’s included all hits the proper tone a minimum of, however once more, followers of the outdated video games will not be too joyful that this remake would 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. Among the unique recreation’s objectives are current and proper, whereas others are relegated to Professional objectives, which unlock after finishing each campaigns, so you are still getting the vast majority of what you’d need. It’s a disgrace that 4 could not be remade with out main adjustments, however what’s right here remains to be nice enjoyable to blast by means of.
A trio of name new ranges fill out THPS4’s profession — Film Studio, Waterpark, and Pinball. The previous is a contest stage, whereas the opposite two are your typical levels with objectives 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 traditional levels you bear in mind.
Layered on prime are tons of of further challenges for probably the most devoted skaters, in addition to a number of customisation choices and an unlimited roster of professional skaters to select from. It contains all of your outdated favourites like Rodney Mullen, Bob Burnquist, and sure, Bam Margera, however makes room for a youthful era.
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 need 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 objectives you may make, permitting you so as to add some aims to your personal ranges. It is most likely probably the most sturdy stage editor the collection has ever seen, so should you’re into that facet of Tony Hawk, you are properly 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 important 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 incredible 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, nevertheless it’s additional proof that there is life but on this timeless collection.
