Captured on Nintendo Change 2 (Docked)I’ve to confess, I used to be actually nervous about Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 3 + 4. I performed the primary ‘1 + 2’ assortment again in 2021 and completely cherished it, however my early teenage years have been formed by the Birdman’s third and fourth console outings. So to say that so much was driving on Iron Galaxy’s remake could be an understatement, and early issues concerning THPS4’s shift in construction positively rattled me.
Fortunately, I can wholeheartedly say that this newest nostalgic revisit to what I’d argue was the height of the Tony Hawk’s collection is successful – albeit with just a few caveats.
So let’s begin with the pink elephant within the room. Professional Skater 4 has been drastically altered to suit extra in step with Professional Skater 3 (and THPS1 + 2, for that matter). So as a substitute of roaming about every stage at your personal tempo and triggering missions by talking with the native residents, you’re as a substitute racing towards the two-minute clock, with missions accomplished organically as you make your manner round.
Captured on Nintendo Change 2 (Docked)
It’s a bitter tablet to swallow for veterans hoping for a extra 1:1 remake of the unique, however I’ve to confess that it nonetheless works fairly effectively as is. Sure, the degrees in THPS4 are a lot bigger than those who got here earlier than, and so duties like accumulating the S-Okay-A-T-E letters would possibly show tougher with the ticking clock. However having the entry align extra carefully with the third does make for a extra cohesive expertise; one I’m sure newcomers will respect.
Talking of cohesion, regardless of growth transferring from the now-defunct Vicarious Visions to Iron Galaxy, THPS3+4 feels immediately acquainted to those that performed the unique video games and the 2021 remake of 1 + 2. It performs precisely the way you’d need, with slick, responsive controls, outrageously over-the-top combos, and heaps of potential in the case of participant and board customisation.
You’ve bought a extremely strong choice of skaters to select from, together with Hawk himself, Zion Wright, Chloe Covell, and extra. Unlockable characters embrace Bam Margera and TMNT’s Michelangelo, whereas should you go for the Digital Deluxe Version, you may also play as DOOM Slayer and the Revenant, with further bonus music tracks included.
Captured on Nintendo Change 2 (Docked)
Every skater has varied benefits and downsides, however by accumulating stat factors hidden round every stage, you possibly can increase all the things from pace to lip steadiness. The excellent news is that should you change skaters, you possibly can instantly apply all stat factors beforehand collected, so there’s no have to undergo the motions time and again.
As for the degrees themselves, they’ve been completely splendidly recreated. Not like the primary two entries, 3 + 4 actually leans into the entire MTV / Jackass affect and contains some really ridiculous missions that make use of the extra NPC characters positioned all through every stage. So, you possibly can ‘Bury the Bully’ in Canada, ‘Cease the Pickpockets’ in Airport, and ‘Photobomb the Vacationers’ in Alcatraz. Some missions have been altered considerably, so don’t count on to see Ollie the Bum hallucinating pink elephants. They’re nonetheless round, however the context has been switched up a bit.
Captured on Nintendo Change 2 (Handheld/Undocked)
Along with the acquainted favourites, Iron Galaxy has additionally seen match to create just a few new tracks of its personal, and I’ll be trustworthy, they’re superior. Waterpark specifically is a real spotlight, with the myriad waterslides and empty swimming pools making for a correct skateboarding playground begging to be combo’d into oblivion. It provides me hope that Activision might quickly green-light a model new Tony Hawk’s recreation, however I’m not going to carry my breath.
One factor I do need to name out, nonetheless, is the music. And to be clear, the soundtrack right here is banging; actually good things. You’ve bought Iron Maiden’s 2 Minutes to Midnight, Intercourse Pistols Holidays within the Solar, Mastodon’s Valuable Stones, and a lot extra. The issue, nonetheless, is that music is a strong supply of nostalgia, and nearly all of the originals’ tunes have been disregarded, with solely six tracks represented from THPS3, and 4 from THPS4.
I need to reiterate that the soundtrack is de facto slightly good, and in the end many newcomers will uncover some life-long favourites right here, similar to I did again within the early 2000s. However why couldn’t Iron Galaxy attraction to each crowds? I broke into a large silly grin when Bodyjar’s Not the Similar kicked in for the primary time, and I simply want that the gathering included just a few extra nostalgic hits.
Transferring onto multiplayer, you’ve bought just a few choices to maintain you busy when you’re finished with the single-player portion. One of many highlights is the brand new ‘HAWK’ mode, which sees you conceal H-A-W-Okay letters round ranges earlier than driving round to find your opponent’s letters. It’s a cool little mode, and it’s good to see one thing that’s not simply ‘see who can rating essentially the most factors’.
Captured on Nintendo Change 2 (Handheld/Undocked)
That mentioned, whereas multiplayer works effectively, really discovering a match can take a short while. It’s early days, in a single sense, but when the sport’s struggling to seek out matches at launch, then I dread to assume what it may be like in a 12 months or two.
Along with the usual multiplayer, you’ve additionally bought the Create-A-Park mode. Right here, you possibly can check out customized parks from a hefty choice, although it’s secure to say that a number of the early designs go away a bit to be desired. Heck, I can’t speak, I wouldn’t have the ability to do significantly better, however I’m positively trying ahead to seeing just a few creations that don’t simply depend on foolish gimmicks.
The precise creation software is fairly enjoyable and intuitive, with belongings chosen with the D-pad and positioned on the bottom with the analogue sticks. You’ll be able to rotate items, zoom in, pan the digicam round – all types. It’s a neat little software should you’ve bought a aptitude for park creation, however in the end I can’t see myself utilizing it that a lot.
Captured on Nintendo Change 2 (Handheld/Undocked)
Lastly, taking a look at how the sport runs on Change 2, I’m largely very impressed. In handheld mode, there generally is a little little bit of aliasing, however by and enormous the sport is remarkably on par with the likes of the PS5 and Xbox Collection X|S, hitting what seems like a strong 60fps with some attractive reflection know-how on show with puddles.
The lighting appears nice in ranges like Tokyo and Foundry, and pop-in is fortunately stored at a minimal. A few of the NPC characters can look a little bit goofy at instances, positive, but when something, this felt like a callback to the unique video games. That’s my excuse not less than – cope with it.
Lastly, you possibly can view a number of the surroundings with the sport’s picture mode, which works very well and provides in numerous cool little filters and results for good measure.
Conclusion
Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 3 + 4 is one other welcome return to the franchise’s glory days, presenting the third and fourth entries with revamped visuals throughout the board whereas retaining the identical slick gameplay. Some of us may be unable to recover from the structural modifications to Professional Skater 4, and I’ve to confess to being a little bit disillusioned on the lack of basic music tracks, however general, the positives completely outweigh the negatives.
If you happen to’re seeking to inject a hearty dose of nostalgia into your life, otherwise you merely need to see what the Tony Hawk collection was like at its absolute peak, then this could show a fantastic addition to your Change 2 library.
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