Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Review (PS5) – After the closure of Vicarious Visions, developer of the previous Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 remake, I was starting to think that might have been the last we’ve seen of the Birdman in the video game space. Thankfully that was not the case. Iron Galaxy Studios has picked up the baton, and delivered remakes of the follow ups, continuing the addictive, legendary, arcade skateboarding franchise.
Trying to not be blinded by bittersweet nostalgia? Pondering if the novelty has worn off? Wondering, how does Iron Galaxy tackle the departure of the traditional Tony Hawk‘s format in Pro Skater 4? Well, let’s get into that.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Review (PS5) – Timeless Tony Hawk
Heaven Is A Halfpipe
I have always preferred the more arcade-y type of skateboarding over the simulation type. To put it bluntly: I am definitively a Tony Hawk guy, rather than a Skate guy. I want to be catching insane air, and chaining together stupidly long combos that transition from grabs to grinds and lips to manuals, gambling that x25 multiplayer for an ever higher score.
There are few things more satisfying in gaming than successfully pulling off a bunch of tricks and seeing that combo meter surpass a million.
These gameplay mechanics were of course present in Pro Skater 1 + 2, and they’re here once again. Its combo chaining gameplay is the backbone of the franchise, and it feels just as good as ever before. Its genius is still that it’s welcoming for casual fans but there’s a complexity to it that allows for a high skill ceiling to really master.
The career format returns as well, very much falling in line with Vicarious Visions’ Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 remakes. Each level is (by default) set to a two minute timer, with a list of objectives to complete that even the most fair-weather fan will be familiar with.
Objectives such as: collecting the S-K-A-T-E letters, hitting increasing score thresholds, finding the hidden video tape, and then completing level specific tasks. Those usually consist of tasks such as grinding the molten bucket in The Foundry, saving painter Neal in San Francisco, or completing a boneless spine transfer between courts on the College campus level.
Mastering each level takes multiple runs, which will be required to both complete all the goals, and hit that “Sick” score threshold, which is no small task in the latter levels of each Pro Skater 3 and 4. Of course, there are secrets to be found and collectibles such as stat points, hidden deck designs, and money to spend within the game’s store.
The levels themselves are diverse, with an appropriate level of zaniness the franchise is known for, with both new and returning stages. The abandoned water park is easily the stand out amongst the new additions. Some have been altered to better fit the remake as well, which I didn’t mind at all.
Tony Hawk’s gameplay loop combined with its goal completion career mode format really works for me. You’re instantly in the action, and once it gets its hook into you, it is really hard to put down. It feels just as good as you remember it did in 2001, just as the Pro Skater 1 + 2 remakes did in 2020, just as they always have. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater is truly timeless.
Kick Push
Fans of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 or purists might be disappointed, as the remake of the fourth entry falls in line with the format of the previous three remakes. As such, you won’t be interacting with other skaters, and instead you will be following the two-minute timer and objective-focused format we have experienced in the predecessors. This reimagining isn’t a deal breaker for me, as my attachment to Pro Skater 4 isn’t there.
There is a bunch of challenges to complete, some more complex than others. All of which are tied to unlockables that go towards clothing your customized skater might wear and, decks, griptapes, trucks, etc for your board. When it comes to customization, there is a lot of expression to be found, except for perhaps the most crucial part; your character’s appearance.
This is indeed very limited by comparison, with default face’s to choose from, and a disappointedly standard body shape/build on top of that. I would like to have seen more here, especially as it’s not built upon the foundations that Pro Skater 1 + 2 provided us with.
While this is a very small gripe, it is also a shame that Nike SB is not present for your custom character, but is for the pro skaters they sponsor such as Aori Nishimura. However, a bunch of brands synonymous with skating culture are present from Etnies, to Vans, to Adidas, etc so it’s not a huge loss.
Naturally, when it comes to creation in Tony Hawk’s, you can create your own park, which usually does allow for a lot of replayability. It is always worth seeing what others have created, and finding new ways to challenge yourself. The tools available offer a bit more overall, so while it’s not something I typically gravitate to, I certainly appreciate its inclusion.
Beyond that, you can also unlock visual modifiers, including SFX trails, that will make it look like you’re leaving a path of lightning for example, which I just found overly distracting more than anything. I was always much more excited to see what kicks I had just unlocked, rather than if I could look like a metallic rainbow, but it’s there for those who enjoy that.
Outside of creation and customization, there is a surprisingly deep roster that sees both new and returning skaters. It’s particularly cool to see Rayssa Leal, who at just 13, burst onto the scene at the Olympic Games in 2020, winning the silver medal in street skating.
Not to mention, there are guest stars who all have their own unique movesets, boards, etc. Guest stars such as Michelangelo from TMNT, who is a ton of fun to play. There is also Doom Slayer and The Revenant from DOOM, and of course, Bam Margera which I’m sure fans were relieved about. It wouldn’t be the same without Bam.
Skate And Destroy
So here is the part that will probably disappoint the purists the most: the soundtrack. Much of the original games’ songs didn’t make the cut. I’m certainly happy with some of the new additions, which have subsequently made their way to my Spotify playlist, but the original soundtracks are iconic.
Honestly, these soundtracks played a huge part in shaping my music taste for the rest of my life. There is something deeply nostalgic about skating around in these games with the music of the early 2000s playing in the background. I could play it through Spotify, but it just simply is not the same. There was a better balance to be found when it came to new and returning songs for the games playlist.
I have not encountered much in the way of technical issues. The worst of it was some screen tearing, but it was very minimal, and will surely be fixed with future patches. The game itself really pops on the PS5 Pro with its updated visuals, and does largely play very smoothly, which is a necessity for its arcade gameplay. The pinball machine stage is particularly eye catching.
Anytime a Tony Hawk’s game created with similar mechanics releases, I will be there. The combination of nostalgia and its timeless gameplay loop makes for highly addictive experience that keeps me coming back for just one more run.
While some of the changes such as the soundtrack didn’t work for me, others did. I enjoy the objective structure of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1, 2, and 3 so much, that I was happy to see it in 4 as well. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater sits at the apex of the skateboarding genre, and I can’t see it being unseated anytime soon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57dD5_GbjxwTony Hawk’s Pro Skater is available right now on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Review code kindly provided by publisher.