Boneless To 50:50
After the smash success of the remastered ‘Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 + 2’ it felt like only a matter of time for succeeder. The Pro Skater series is now complete on contemporary gaming platforms with ‘Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 + 4’. Seeing a developer shift from ‘Vicarious Visions’ to ‘Iron Galaxy’. Can they lovingly lift the nostalgia that oozes from the source material and put into the successful remaster framework put before them? Well I have my rose tinted glasses and my ‘Offspring’ CD playing, so lets find out!
Starting the game we are given the option to play either Pro Skater 3 or 4. Now I’m just going to level with you now. This is not really a choice of game it’s more which map pack would you prefer to play. As fans of the original games may remember Pro Skater 3 and Pro Skater 4 played quite differently to one another. ‘3’ kept to the roots of the series with a gauntlet of challenges to complete in a 2 minute period. ‘4’ changed things with slightly bigger maps and the ability to free skate and find fellow skaters that give you missions and objectives to clear. Sadly ‘4’ has been reduced to nothing more than a map pack for the classic 2 minute gantlet gameplay.
Ultimately I understand the choice made by the developers but I don’t agree with it in the slightest. I can imagine making a package game with different core mechanics dependant on map selected is no easy feat. However it becomes more apparent that the 2 minute gauntlet just does not compliment the larger maps of ‘4’. I found myself replaying these maps over and over again to learn where objective mechanics were, so then I could actually complete a task or two. It just becomes abundantly clear to anyone with an eye for game design the core gameplay loop and the environment weren’t made in harmony. If ‘Activision’ decide to commission another remaster featuring ‘Underground 1 + 2’, please don’t ruin it with the 2 minute classic gameplay style.
The objective based gameplay I must admit has aged pretty poorly. If you don’t know how to boneless spine transfer or nose slide on nearby signs then tough luck, your not completing certain objectives. This is where mission givers or markers with context or description would vastly improve the game. Remember ‘Pro Skater 4’ had those! The standard reach “x” score or combo streak, along with collecting S-K-A-T-E are present on all maps. Those objectives are mostly quite easy and can be completed by mashing random buttons while grinding on something circular or doing a manual. Despite my negativity around the core gameplay loop, I must admit it’s very fun on the smaller ‘Pro Skater 3’ maps.
Skating controls in a very arcade like fashion. I wasn’t a fan I must admit. All the skaters have a turning circle of a bus. Yet bounce wildly off any terrain like a fair ground dodgem if you even so much as suggest touching it. The sense of speed is quite bizarre as well. With a default speed that can be sped up by starting up an ollie. The two preset speeds can be sent into overdrive or a emergency stop when pulling off a grind. The stop start nature of how skaters control threw me off multiple times.
‘Iron Galaxy’ assuredly have a clear vision for the future of the franchise. This realisation comes from the creation new and original maps. Three maps have been designed and added into the tours. Kind of an odd thing to do for a remake with plenty of source material. However they were on the money with these maps, ‘Waterpark’ in particular. Beautifully designed with a collection of abandoned water slides to grind down, empty pools to use as verts, with the atmosphere of a former loved landmark reduced to ruin. It feels designed with a timer in mind with its compact yet saturated layout. I could scream from mountains complimenting the level design. It is without a doubt the best part of the game by a considerable margin. It is clear with this level of passionate development a future remains for this series. The other two original levels are good as well but as one is an unlock-able I wont spoil them.
Sticking on the positive thoughts, the soundtrack. The original game back in the day gave me a journey of self discovery. Many of the old school tunes began the foundations of my music taste in the days before digital distribution. Although that original soundtrack hasn’t been kept intact. We are treated to are a collection of skater anthems from yesterday and today. Keeping classics from ‘Alice in Chains’ and ‘CKY’ with more modern takes by ‘Turnstile’ and ‘Fontaines D.C.’. While debatably not as tight as the original outing. I caught myself going to my streaming service of choice to add new songs to my library.
Graphically this outing is a bit of a mixed bag. Environments are stunning adding tons of details small and big upon the original map design. While skating around if you ignore the timer its worth stopping to smell the flowers. Skaters on the other hand have a bit of the uncanny valley about them. Skaters I recognise as complete icons like the titular Tony Hawk; look good but something is off. It seems like there is some heavy anti-aliasing around facial features. It ends up with these famous skaters looking a bit blurred or smudged. It made a lot of these heroes look a tad flat, which is a bit of a shame. The aliasing in general is a bit intense with distant objects having quite the quality reduction. It does least keep this game running at a smooth frame rate. Saying that I did suffer with insane screen tearing. I’m not sure if it was a my TV, my console or just generally how the game runs. It deeply affected my experience and enjoyment. For reference I was playing on a standard PS5.
To the games credit it is stacked with gameplay modifiers. If you want to adjust the timer that caused me irritation you can. If you want to turn off the grind balancing and increase the base score of tricks, you can crack on. Making the game accessible to just about any player of any skill level. This really needs to be commended and adopted by more mainstream games. Other features like a park creator and hub to play other players parks in theory create endless replay-ability. I’m not a creative when it comes to map makers but I played other gamers parks. In my experience I was met with an onslaught of parks for cheesing trophies/achievements or in game challenges.
The in game unlocks left me with a bitter taste in my mouth. The series historically sported a plethora of characters from various sources of pop culture to acquire. In this instalment a handful of characters are available for purchase in the in game store from the start. However the ‘Doom Slayer’ and relating content that was heavily marketed is exclusive to deluxe edition. Players can penny up real world cash to upgrade if they want the Slayer that desperately. Knowing the originals had ‘Doom’ content as just an unlock-able increased that paywall sourness significantly.
Nostalgia wasn’t enough to keep me entertained sadly. If anything with the pitfalls of modern gaming had me yearning the original games. Although ‘Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4’ most assuredly wasn’t for me, I can still recommend it to those who wish to test their rose tinted spectacles. It is very much a try it yourself affair. Not for me but your skating millage may vary.
