Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Review – Obligatory Homage

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Five years and a commitment to build upon past successes instead of pandering to fan expectations can work wonders, as demonstrated by the acclaim that Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 received when it was launched. Although it was built on the foundations of the initial two games, the game’s enhanced graphics, extra content, integration of mechanics from later titles, and most significantly, the reintroduction of much of the original soundtrack made it a hit. The memory of the poorly-received fifth installment was finally erased. Tony Hawk has officially returned to form…until Activision merged Vicarious Visions with Blizzard and (rumoredly) declined an update for remaking the third and fourth titles.

After all these years, it’s true that Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4 have been released. The excitement, the new skaters, the updated graphics, Bam Margera – they’re all part of the package. However, it’s surprising to find that this release is a step down from its predecessor, which is unusual given how much more advanced the original games were. You can enjoy the challenge of mastering each level, completing objectives, checking off challenges, revisiting classic moments with enhanced graphics, and even creating your own skate parks. However, considering the impressive features in the previous remakes, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 doesn’t quite live up to its full potential.

As you step into the tutorial, the advantages should leap out at you immediately. In the world of skating games, I can’t imagine any title that rivals Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater when it comes to its authentic feel and quick responsiveness. The introduction of concealed combos for grinds, flips, and Manuals in Pro Skater 3 – including double kickflips, double heelflips, etc., and the Revert for seamlessly transitioning from a quarter-pipe trick to a Manual – significantly expanded combo creation. The addition of the ability to skitch (cling onto moving vehicles) for a speed boost upon release, the Spine Transfer for jumping over a quarter-pipe onto another just behind it or landing on top, and further enhancements to combo extensions were all included in Pro Skater 4.

Just as Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 incorporates everything from Pro Skater 4 into its previous version, significantly enhancing the variety and possibilities of trick combinations within the game levels. However, similar to the originals, achieving the score objectives – from the beginner-friendly High Score to the advanced Sick Score – necessitates practice and familiarity with the environment’s intricacies. Each error or misstep feels particularly harsh, even in runs lasting just two minutes, but when everything flows smoothly, it’s an unparalleled experience. Additionally, some of the updated goals test seasoned players, such as finding ways to douse the Foreman in Foundry or grinding the molten bucket.

In the game Pro Skater 3 and 4, you’ll find the typical set of SKATE letters, search for secret tapes, and accumulate all stat points to personalize your desired skater style. Whether you prefer a focus on balance while rail grinding or more airtime, this game allows you to customize your skater build dynamically. Additionally, these games offer an abundance of post-game content such as New Game+ with new Pro Goals (such as reaching new Platinum Scores, spelling COMBO and performing special tricks) and Expert Challenges. You can also go on Solo Tours where you complete career tours with all characters.

Without a doubt, this lineup is nothing short of impressive, boasting skating legends such as Tony Hawk, Chad Muska, Steve Caballero, and Rodney Mullen, alongside modern talents like Aori Nishimura, Tyshawn Jones, and Nyjah Huston. Yet, there’s also room for fresh faces in the series, including Chloe Covell, Margielyn Didal, and Rayssa Leal. With each skater excelling in unique skills and a variety of unlockable characters (both familiar and brand-new), you’ll find a wealth of choices at your fingertips. While it would have been great to see more customization options for Create-A-Skater, especially following Pro Skater 1 + 2, there’s still plenty of apparel to unlock.

The updated graphics are truly breathtaking, not to mention the enhanced textures, character designs, environment quality, and smoother animations. The lighting and shadows lend a more authentic vibe to levels like Foundry and dramatically alter the ambiance of Rio and San Francisco. It’s almost compelling to pause and appreciate every minor change. Furthermore, while certain levels have been removed, the new additions – Movie Studio, Waterpark – are engaging and fit perfectly within the existing roster.

It appears that Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 + 4 might be another hit similar to Pro Skater 1 + 2, but there’s a twist about Pro Skater 4’s Career Mode. Unlike before where you could freely explore levels, chat with characters, and complete objectives, the new version offers a standard list of levels with a two-minute time limit, much like in Pro Skater 3. Despite this change, can you still enjoy these levels and appreciate the high level of detail?

While it’s not a carbon copy of Pro Skater 4, extending the timer wouldn’t change that fact significantly. The general structure is distinctly different, and one can’t help but feel a sense of disappointment at its treatment. However, given the significant impact Career Mode had on subsequent games within the series and how integral it was to the original gameplay, it’s unfortunate that it wasn’t given more attention.

The soundtrack of this edition unfortunately falls short for many fans, as it only includes ten tracks from the original games. Fortunately, “Ace of Spaces” and “My Adidas” remain part of the mix. However, some bands like Iron Maiden have chosen different songs. If you were expecting popular tracks by The Offspring, System of a Down, AC/DC, Alien Ant Farm, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and others, be prepared for disappointment as they are not included. It’s worth noting that Tony Hawk himself suggested having new tracks from the returning artists, though it’s unclear if this also pertains to entirely new songs for the series.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to say these fresh additions aren’t too shabby, especially with Alice in Chains rocking my world. However, it’s hard not to notice how far removed they feel from the authentic vibe of the original titles. To make matters worse, there are a few technical hiccups that have popped up in both games. Contrary to some reports, I didn’t experience frame drops in Pro Skater 4’s levels, but I did notice instances of clipping through walls or getting stuck on quarter-pipes, only to find myself mysteriously out of bounds or taking an unexpected dip in the ocean. Screentearing is also something I’ve encountered occasionally while playing in Performance Mode on my PS5, but thankfully, Fidelity Mode seems to be holding up just fine.

Reflecting on Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2, it was clear that a great deal of passion went into its creation, aiming to rejuvenate the original games for today’s gamers without sacrificing their exceptional gameplay. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 follows suit in terms of characters, objectives, post-game content, and aesthetics. However, Iron Galaxy has streamlined certain aspects of the experience, particularly those that matter most. This reduction leaves a complex impression – you can still immerse yourself in the excitement of achieving goals and mastering runs for top scores. Although it’s expected that the numerous bugs and screen tearing will be addressed, it’s hard not to notice all that has been stripped away during the transition process.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

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2025-07-14 16:13