Activision O2 once again takes the extreme sports game genre to new heights
with the release of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 for all
next gen game consoles. Fans of this series are sure to be impressed with the
latest installment, with new and improved gameplay, kick ass graphics, intuitive
controls, and of course the legendary THPS soundtrack. Most of your favorite
pro skaters return in this version, including Tony Hawk, Bob Burnquist, Steve
Caballero, Kareem Campbell and of course, from Jackass, Bam Margera!

Activision has taken a new approach in this version, stepping away from the
timed levels in previous installments, but we’ll get to that later. This version
has mind numbingly HUGE levels, more challenges, and a trick list that
simply can’t be beat. Have you ever wanted to ollie into a wallie
to grind the top of a brick wall? Transfer from one quarter
pipe to another? Do a pop shove it without offending anyone? Well,
now you can!

The addition of spine transfers to the tricks makes
for even more exciting combo scores. Everything in this game, from the unlockables,
including the FMV sequences will get every die hard skate rat’s heart pumping!
And the newly designed create a skater gives the player customization of your
skater that has never been seen before. So enough of the fluff, lets get down
to the meat of this game.

Graphics

The graphics are impressive as ever. Environments are well textured.
The levels are so big, you might get lost at first. Everything seems to move
at a rock steady frame rate. Anti-aliasing is used to the max, I could not make
out a jaggie anywhere. The character’s facial graphics might not be the prettiest,
but who’s looking at your face when your pulling off a McTwist 25 feet
up in the air! Score: 8.5

THPS 4 Screenshot THPS 4 Screenshot THPS 4 Screenshot THPS 4 Screenshot

Gameplay

Gameplay is just what you would expect from Activision O2, it
seems everytime they make a new game things just get better. There are nine
levels in the core of the game. Single session, free skate, 2 player and system
link are also available, besides the career mode. Of course there is a park
designer built in also, so you can create your own tripped out skate
parks. As I mentioned earlier, career mode no longer has a time limit. There
is a certain amount of pro challenges per level that must be completed in order
to unlock new levels. Instead of just collecting the letters S-K-A-T-E, this
time around it is a challenge you must perform. Different challenges are given
to you by skating up to a NPC, they have arrows above their heads, and
talking to them. This is accomplished with the B button. When a challenge is
issued, this is where time might come into affect. The NPC might tell
you to bust off enough tricks to score 40,000 points, and you might only have
1 minute to do it. In addition to collecting the letters for S-K-A-T-E, they
have now added C-O-M-B-0! You must collect all the letters in combo while performing
a combo, lose it and start over! (Trust me on this!) This makes things
more interesting and shakes the game up a bit. Score: 9.0

Control

The controls are pretty much identical to THPS3, so most of you
old skool skaters will have no problem jumping head first (ouch!) into this
game. A is used to ollie, Y to grind, B for flip tricks, and X for grab tricks.
The triggers are used to switch while on the ground, and spin while catching
air. Score: 9.0

Audio

Once again, THPS4 takes the cake with the music score. AC/DC opens the game up with TNT to get the action pumping. The sounds of the
wheels on the pavement are dead on, especially when running over a cobble stone
street. When grinding I could swear I heard the metal of my skateboard’s
trucks wearing away! And when you beef it, it makes a great thud sound
with a gasp for air as you get the wind knocked out of you. Score: 9.0

Replay Value

Replay value is way up on the scale, with all of
the different skaters you can use during the game. Plus making your own skater
just ups the ante. You could totally unlock everthing with every skater, but
you will be coming back for more to beat that 250,000 point combo you
pulled the day before! Score: 10

Overall Score

Overall Score: 9.4 [not an average]
Highly Recommended

Additional Comments

Actvision O2 can do no wrong. At first
I was worried this would just be a re-hash of THPS3, but the innovative new
twist to the gameplay makes it fresh again. This game is just a hell
of a lot of fun. If the older installments kept you trying to get better at
the competitions and tricks, I highly recommend this game!

Send us Feedback,
or discuss this review in our Forums.

Filed under: Reviews

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!