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Platform: Xbox Genre: Extreme Sports Publisher: Activision Developer: Neversoft ESRB: T (Teen) Released: Q4 2002 Support AE! Buy Games Here:
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Tony
Hawk’s Pro Skater 4
Score: 9.5 / 10 |
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Pros: -
New tricks, levels, and goals -
Improved graphics -
Responsive controls
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Cons: -
Is much more difficult than ever before - No online play
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Related Links: Review: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 (Playstation 2) Review: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 (Gamecube 2)
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"One of these days, we at the Armchair Empire might have to tell gamers about a Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater title that isn’t any good."
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One
of these days, we at the Armchair Empire might have to tell gamers about
a Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater title that isn’t any good. But until then,
we’ll just have to gush about the gaming greatness that is the latest
rendition of the best skating game ever, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4
(THPS4). Not only is this the greatest THPS yet, but as always is one of
the year’s best games. Period.
Developer Neversoft again refused to regurgitate a minor upgrade to the THPS formula and instead completely revamped THPS4 with larger-than-ever levels -- probably
two to five times bigger than any level that has appeared in any THPS
title -- a whole new trick system, sharper visuals, and a much more
challenging difficulty while still having the same familiar style and
gameplay that allows anybody that has ever played a previous THPS game
to pick it up and get skating right away.
Of
course the basics of the Tony Hawk Pro Skater game are still here, but
with some major changes that really keep the series fresh. There are a
ton of new moves, including the spine transfer (which allows you jump
from one side of a ramp apparatus to the other in one move) and the
flatland tricks, like the pogo and handstand that are difficult at first
but become part of your repertoire once you get the hang of them.
Another trick is the ability to skitch, which lets your skater grab hold
of any moving vehicle or creature (including a defecating elephant) for
points and to meet goal objectives. As always, the controls are
easy to use and extremely responsive, which has been the trademark of
the THPS series (although some practice is still necessary).
THPS4’s
Career Mode goal system has been changed too. Each one of the nine
levels still has goals that must be completed to gain stat points and
cash for upgraded equipment and clothing, but now there is no rush to
complete the goals in a restrictive time frame. The levels are free roam
and you only take on a level goal when you are ready to – even better,
they don’t have to be done in any particular order. But some of the
goals are ridiculously hard. This is by far the most challenging of the
THPS titles to date. The C-O-M-B-O goal is easily the most difficult
goal on each level.
You
must be able to get every letter that spells out the word C-O-M-B-O in
one move (or combo string), and it can be near impossible on the later
levels without having most of your stats maxed out. Goals such as
spelling out S-K-A-T-E and beating progressively higher scores are still
present, and each stage has level-specific goals.
One
new addition is having characters call out specific moves that must be
done to attain the goal. This is one goal where the timer returns.
Usually about twenty or so moves must be landed to complete the goal.
The great feature here is that the game gives you the directions and
buttons that must be pushed for the moves to be completed. Although that
might seem like it would make it totally easy to finish in one try, it
can be a real test of your skating skills. And there are still skating
contests where you contend for medals, but they are part of each level
now -- not a separate stage.
Leading
the roster of 14 pro skaters is naturally Tony Hawk himself but includes
big-name skaters like Bucky Lasek, Bob Burnquist, Bam “Jackass”
Margera, Rodney Mullen, and Steve Caballero, among others. Each skater
brings along their own variety of tricks, decks, accessories, and
clothing that can be bought with the cash collected on each level.
The graphics are the best of any THPS game, especially on the Xbox. If you have a high-definition television set, you’re in for a real eye-treat. With 720p HDTV support, THPS4 can be visually stunning for those lucky enough to game on a top-quality HDTV set.
The
game’s sound effects and music are pretty much the same quality as
before with the songs on the soundtrack containing a mix of new and old
punk, rock, and hip-hop including old-school tunage from AC/DC and even
Run-DMC, who contribute the hip-hop classic “My Adidas.”
One
big letdown is the fact that the Xbox version of THPS4 can’t be played
with Xbox Live. I honestly don’t know why Activision ignored the
opportunity because it would have made for an incredible gaming
experience. Maybe Activision will see the Live light with THPS5.
However, THPS4 can support up to eight players with the Xbox system
link, but only two players on one Xbox, unlike THPS3 that allowed for
four-player multi-mayhem. THPS4’s multiplayer and online options are
the only negative aspects from an otherwise stellar game.
Somehow
Neversoft has done it yet again, by giving the extreme sports gamer
another high-quality title worth every cent. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4
has it all: huge and creatively designed levels, a great new trick
system, improved graphics, another great soundtrack, and
push-it-to-the-limit goals that even veteran THPS gamers will need time
to master. No doubt about it, if you like good games you can’t go
wrong with THPS4. It’s simply one of the best and most enjoyable
gaming experiences around in any genre.
-
Lee Cieniawa (December 4, 2002)
Search for Related Topics:
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