Originating just six years ago, a skateboarding game by the name of Tony Hawk Pro Skater took the extreme sport genre to an entirely new level and spawned several imitations along the way (we all remember the pitiful MTV Skateboarding or even Grind Session). After each installment, notable improvements were made, but the series always leaves the gamer (such as myself) wondering just where the series will go next. Sadly for Activision, it seems that some fans that have been there since the beginning are starting to move on from this series in search of something new. With last year’s “Underground,” you can’t say they have not been trying to keep the series fresh, but year after year, I find myself less entertained than the previous installment. That being said, let’s see how Neversoft’s latest effort faired, and see if it’s worth the time of those dedicated to this series.
What can I say? I’ve been with this series from the beginning,; but even I can see the end. My first time breezing through this game, I noticed that this seemed like Neversoft’s attempt to give the fans everything they could have possibly wanted to keep them happy. Unfortunately, it seems that they are doing this simply to make up for the lack of innovation. Although it’s still the smoothest, most comprehensive skateboarding series out there, I fear that this may be the end of the line for me. Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed playing this game quite a bit, but even a fan such as myself can admit that the series on a whole is get getting progressively stale as it continues on and THUG 2 is the best example of this.
First let me discuss some additions that I really enjoyed in this installment. On top of the always promising and expansive create-a-park and create-a-skater modes, we are treated to a new feature this year with something called: “create-a-tag.” This is a mode where you can create a graffiti design especially for your custom character. You can select from myriad designs, manipulating and coloring them however you’d like. This tag will come in handy during story mode, or for use of a shirt logo. This certainly adds a strain of personality to your character who will be used in the “Story Mode”.
This year’s big selling point was the inclusion of both “Story” and “Classic” modes (remember the good old days, when we called it “THPS” for short?). When playing the Classic mode, you can play all of the levels found in the Story mode as well as some memorable favorites from THPS 1-3. Remember the Airport level? Or what about “Downhill Jam” and “The School” from the series’ birth? All were fun and exciting to relive. I found myself picking up the pieces of my childhood all over again (even though it was no more than 6 years ago).
I would like to give Neversoft a big round of applause for including “Classic mode” for fans that have been there since the beginning. Just as I feel, I know some fans of the series think that the best installments of this game have came and gone already, leaving little to look forward to. The Story mode is a fun romp, but I fear it’s tailored to a whole new generation to fall in love with, leaving someone like me left to only enjoy it at best.
You basically start off as an undiscovered skater that has been ambushed by Tony Hawk, Bam Margera and their crew in order to join them for what they call, get this: the “World Destruction Tour.” If you are cringing at that corny title, that’s because the whole premise behind story mode is pretty cheesy. You are in the middle of a team-battle between Bam Margera (of Jackass/Viva la Bam fame) and Tony Hawk. The uninspired dialogue in cut-scenes and failed attempts at suggestive humor just falls flat with me; then again, if I were a few years younger, I’d be chanting to my Gods: “Hawk and Bam!” Jokes reminiscent of the old days of “Jackass” are back again. There is one animated cut-scene where Bam unleashes a bull in his father’s bedroom when he’s sleeping. And as he is dressed the rest of the game, the father runs out in nothing but his tighty whities. Even though I love “Viva la Bam” and “Jackass,” and find the antics of his father hilarious, it did not transfer well into a videogame…or to an animated form, for that matter. It sounds kind of cruel, but I would have found it funnier if a real bull was actually hurting Bam’s dad.
Now don’t get me wrong, the story mode was filled with six brand new skating areas. Probably the best compliment I can give this game is that the levels are larger, more interactive, detailed and expansive than ever. It’s noticeably apparent simply by playing through Barcelona and Skatopia alone. They have also allowed you to actually get off your board to run around and climb ladders in order to satisfy various objectives. These new levels incorporate a few height-oriented and interior building goals and “running mode” is the only way to complete some of these tasks. This means that you can get higher and have the freedom to go to places you previously could not, which certainly adds an element of originality. Though I still have my problems with camera/control issues while running/climbing ladders, I look past it as this feature has only helped the series progress.
When in the story mode environments, you can meet other skaters and “hidden characters” to take over goals to progress through the level. Self-promoting people like “Monster Garage’s” “Jesse James” and “Steve-O” from Jackass can be found and taken on new goals if discovered. Their “vehicles” obviously aren’t skateboards. Jesse rides a revved up version of what appears to be a Segway scooter type vehicle, while Steve-O rides a fake bull. Any alternate vehicle the game provides (and brags about as “crazy new vehicles”) is nothing to get excited about. The mechanics of all of these extras play horribly and allow you to do stunts not possible on a skateboard. This may sound great to some, but it adds a silly element into the mix, and of course, digs into this game’s credibility.
New moves like the “Nada Spin” and the “Sticker Plant” are duly noted. Both moves are great skills to know, as they will most certainly help you obtain various goals of either breaking high scores, or simply bridging together a combo. The sticker plant is an interesting move. When approaching a wall head on, you can plant your hand to it by pressing the grind button (Y) to slap a self-selected sticker design on a wall. This is used to keep combos going. Also, as many games have done recently, you can now enter “Focus Mode” to slow down your moves in order to articulate various moves. This can only be done once your special meter is full. Not a bad addition, but it’s been done in countless games recently.
Controlling your skater and executing various tricks is just as easy as it has been in years past. The thing that gamers and critics love about the series is the ease of use when trying to navigate through environments and pulling off tricks. I would certainly say that this game handles very well, especially when trying to pull off that one million point combo!
Two-Player mode is pretty much the same as seen before in previous installments of Tony Hawk with the exception of a few new added modes like “Slap!,” “Scavenger Hunt” and “Fire Fight.” All and all, you will get the classic modes like “Trick Attack” and “Horse” to keep the older fans happy. But probably the biggest disappointment on the Xbox version is the exclusion of Xbox Live. This game would have been spectacular online (as it is on PS2). It’s honestly a shame that we have yet to see an online version of Tony Hawk come to the Xbox.
Upon completing various difficulty levels of both “classic” and “story” modes, several new skaters are to be unlocked (including Shrek and Phil Margera!), not to mention the obvious skating videos we’ve all grown to love, as well as some other surprises.
The graphics were not amazing, but definitely held their own, as they have before. I have yet to experience a drop in frame-rate; THUG 2 runs smooth like a hot knife through butter.
Finally, the selection of music that comprises the soundtrack is extremely eclectic. Mixing classic artists like Johnny Cash, The Doors, The Clash, Metallica and combines them with modern acts like Jimmy Eat World, The Explosion, Ween, and the Distillers. I found this soundtrack to fit the game very well, though I usually opted to use my custom soundtracks on my Xbox hard drive.
Summing it all up, I can confidently say that this title is worth a shot simply because of the amount of content packed into it. I do warn, however, those fond of the series’ past may not find the same fun and excitement that you grew to love in previous versions. I can see new installments coming out in the future, but not holding a candle to what this game once was. It’s a shame, but it happens. Maybe this will be another Mortal Kombat by dying out for a few years and then making a triumphant return. Only time will tell, and only your wallet can say “ouch” if you blow $50 and end up not liking it. My final recommendation: This game is worth the purchase if it were sold for $40 or so, other than that, try finding a different title to spend your money on in the time being. It’s by no means a bad game, but old fans of the series most likely will be disappointed, as it leaves the door open to newbies (who will most likely eat this game right up!). THUG 2 is an enjoyable sequel, but shows signs of deterioration. Sorry Tony, maybe it’s time you put away your board and retire while you’re still on top.
