Plot: What’s it about?
I can’t even begin to calculate the numbers of hours I spent on Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, it was a game my friends and I would spend endless hours with. A simple premise, great controls, and ample depth, THPS was the kind of game you could have fun with even if you just failed non stop. Now we can relive those moments with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD, a revamped take on one of the best skateboard games ever. This new version makes a lot of great design decisions, as it remains faithful to the original in almost all aspects. The game plays just like it always has, with skate areas loaded with all kinds of objects to pull tricks with, as well as a metric ton of collectibles to hunt down. Those are your main goals in the game, track down all the hidden collectibles and try to rack up the highest score possible. Sounds simple, but you’ll find yourself returning to these locations over and again, even after you’ve finished all of the level specific challenges.
Video: How does it look?
The game looks fantastic in this new version. The originals have not aged well, to the point where going back to them can be a test of wills. But now you can revisit this classic with stunning visuals that fans will love. The levels look superb and the attention to detail is remarkable. The skaters actually have faces now, which is always a plus. The entire game just looks refined and polished, one of the best HD makeovers I’ve seen.
Audio: How does it sound?
As I said above, the original soundtrack has been altered somewhat. This is because some of the music hasn’t been brought over, over license issues I would assume. But enough of the original music is here, which helps recreate the mood and tone of the original game. The other sound effects are well handled, but they’re not going to dazzle your ears. I do wince from the crunch of a brutal mishap at times though. The overall sound design is rock solid and faithful to the original, which is about all we can ask.
