Sound:  
The sound package is also simple, but still manages to maintain its punch. The sound effects are typical skateboarding fare, and sound like they should. The main ingredient in Tony’s sound department is, of course, the licensed music which will serve as your soundtrack to much skating fun. This year’s crop includes: Public Enemy, Iron Maiden, The Offspring, System of a Down, N.W.A., Goldfinger, and Run D.M.C. There are many other bands included, but you’ve probably never heard of them, so I’ll save myself some typing time and you some reading time and not mention them. The mix is a decent one, and there should be something in there for just about anyone. If not, turn the music off and play your own stereo. It’s that easy. In all, the sound package is a solid one, and should be one that most anyone can at least get some enjoyment out of.

Gameplay:  
This is definitely the part of the Tony Hawk series that has gotten it its staggering stranglehold on the extreme sports field. The heart of the game, the skating remains the same, but the format of the levels has been revamped.

Rather than having a timed run every time, this time the skaters start out in a level and can skate around freely as long as they want. They method of getting missions is now vastly different. Instead of having predetermined missions when you start a level out, you find characters throughout the level, and they will give you your tasks. Once you get those, you will get a time limit for that particular task, and if you complete it in that time limit, you get the reward. Generally, this will be cash, but some tasks also award you a stat point upon completion. You can then take your cash and buy goodies, like hidden boards, skaters, and other stuff. It’s definitely a new approach to the series, but the fun factor is definitely maintained, so it isn’t as if it is a step backwards in any aspect.

The missions in Tony Hawk 4 are also incredibly varied. You’ll have the standard “Collect S-K-A-T-E” and “Get X Points” missions, but you’ll also be collecting the letters to “C-O-M-B-O”, which have to be collected all in one single combo, some of which are INSANELY hard to do. You can also “skitch” on cars now, so there are missions revolved around that, as well as competition goals, where you must place 3rd or better in a best 2 of 3 runs competition. There is a very good variety in the missions, and there are plenty of new types of goals for even the most jaded THPS veteran. So, if you have enjoyed the gameplay in the previous THPS games, you will find everything you enjoyed in the first games in THPS4 and then some. It is yet another giant leap in the direction of greatness for the franchise, and again Mr. Tony Hawk himself will likely be able to buy himself another mansion with the wads and wads of cash he’ll rake in off this license.

Control:
About 90% of the controls have remained the same from the previous Tony Hawk games. A is to crouch/jump, B is flip tricks, X is grab tricks, Y is grind. L and R are used to rotate faster in the air, and pull off the Revert move when you land from vert tricks. X is now used as an action button when in the levels to talk to various characters to get your missions. The new addition to this Tony Hawk game is the transfer move, which is done by holing down L and R as you pass off of a vert ramp. It allows you to transfer up one side of the ramp and down the other side in one smooth motion, which can really open up some new trick lines. That is really the only new addition to a very tight, responsive, and intuitive scheme that fits the series like a glove. If it ain’t broke…

Multiplayer:
The multiplayer is a blast, as it has been before. The main modes are all fun: King of the Hill (grab the crown and hold it), Score Challenge (whoever hits the target score first wins), Combo Mambo (biggest combo in time limit wins), Trick Attack (highest score in time wins), Slap (smack around your opponents), Graffiti (Tag objects by tricking on them. Most objects wins), and HORSE (one does a trick, the other has to match it). Yes, these are all a blast, and the competition can be very heated depending on whom you are playing with. Definitely both a hoot and a holler for more than one player.

OVERALL:
OK, to sum up: If you like the Tony Hawk series, get THPS4. If you haven’t played the series before, then you really need to try this out. It is far and away one of the premiere games on the market today, and will even appeal to those not really into skateboarding in the first place. If you do enjoy skateboarding, then this game is right up your alley. For the rest of us who don’t have the pain tolerance or the monetary flexibility to get good at skateboarding, this is a perfect way to live out our skateboarding fantasies, while at the same time not having to buy a $100 (or more) skateboard and endure massive head trauma to boot. All in all, it is a great game, regardless of who you are, which is a sign of greatness in and of itself.

 

The Lowdown on  Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 Aesthetics: Very Good Control: Awesome Gameplay: Awesome Multiplayer: Very Good Sound: Above Average Innovation: 3/6 Lasting Appeal: 6/6 Overall: Awesome! "Top of the Genre"