With a new system of course comes a new version of Tony Hawk. Its par for the course, after all, this is the Birdman’s seventh edition of his franchise. I had already reviewed the Xbox version and while I enjoyed the game I also thought it was a little easier. The new tricks included and the BMX tricks were enough to keep me happy.

Of course, the price for an Xbox game is ten bucks cheaper than the 360 titles so is American Wasteland worth playing on the Xbox 360? Read my review of Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland for the Xbox 360 and see.

Gameplay

If you have the Xbox version and were hoping for some new levels or new additions to the 360 version, I have some bad news. There are no additional goodies added. Sure, it’s got the High Definition graphics and a few tweaks on the color changes of the characters’ hair and clothes, but the game is the same, just ported over. While this may seem bad for fans, the game plays better overall on the 360 thanks to the added shoulder buttons. Long time fans will notice it’s easier to pull off tricks and that’s great. The bad part is the Wasteland’s whole new angle of no load times and skate or bike where you want when you want is not the whole truth.

It has a few load times and of course every video game has them. The title does have a few ways of masking the actual loading times. Now this is not to say that NeverSoft and Activision are exaggerating since the areas appear almost instantly and quicker than on the Xbox version, but the no load time tag line is a little misleading. You will go through each part using doorways or tunnels, if you want to call them that, to reach the other areas. I can live with that and having played every version of THPS it’s enjoyable enough.

The storyline is the same as the Xbox version. You’re trying to make it in LA with dreams of being the next Hawk and want the bright lights of fame and fortune. Of course LA is where Tony made his mark with the Boyz of DogTown so the story is decent. You meet up with a girl who tells you to drop the country look if you want to start off right. This is where the loading times do kick in since you need to get a new hair style and some clothes. Then it’s off to the single-player mode where you meet up with the other skaters who will give you goals.

Even while I enjoyed the game, it holds your hand a bit too much in this mode and makes it too easy to finish especially for long time fans of the series. They threw in some great challenges and goals but they might as well do it for you unlike past versions of the franchise. Okay so it tends to show too much, perhaps they are trying to attract new players by making it a bit easier and I am all for that, but I still want a challenge. This is where the online mode really comes into play and with the 360 and the new achievements help to make it work.

I don’t want to rehash my Xbox review so let’s move on to the classic mode. Again, it is enjoyable but it’s more of the best of since it features levels from the past games and this may tick off die-hard fans wanting a brand new challenge. The levels are well thought out and for those who are playing it for the first time, it will be a blast. Older gamers will remember the levels quickly and this was my complaint throughout the classic mode. Thankfully they added new tricks in homage to the ZBoys who made the sport what it is today. Gamers will see more surfing style moves, which add to the gameplay offering variety. Throw in a great BMX trick engine and the game really does show off why Hawk owns the extreme sports titles.

If you’re reading this and are asking well why should I buy it for the 360, the answer is better controls, HD graphics and a great online mode. Plain and simple the game is great on the 360. Just remember the only changes are in the graphics and the controls thanks to new improved 360 controller. I have to admit the achievements also add a new angle and are set in a way that’s reachable and not insanely difficult or too easy like a few others we have seen so far. If you enjoy skateboarding and taking your skills online, then the game will satisfy any fan providing your expectations are right.

Control / Playability

The 360 controller is perfect for a game like this and will make gamers try those tricks they have seen and wanted to pull off. Learning the controls will take about 10-15 minutes and the biggest change is getting used to the shoulder button, but once you do it’s going to change the way you play the game in a big way. The controls are smoother, the buttons responds faster and no delay whatsoever. Of course, learning the more advanced tricks and combos will take a bit longer but the layout of the controls are simply perfect.

Xbox Live

Xbox owners have got the shaft when it came to the online mode for the THPS series for a long time. Wasteland is the first time Xbox owners had the chance to finally play online. The lobbies and the overall gameplay online is great. It is even better on the 360, the host can change maps and the modes without having to make a new room and now players that play online get rewarded by achievements for skating online at every area. I will say after spending a good amount of time online with both the Xbox version and the 360 one, the 360 is better and smoother.

Perhaps it’s the fact I can stream my favorite tunes and play with or without the headset and just have fun. While the Xbox online mode was great, the 360 online modes have been tweaked and are more stable. In any case, for those who want to show off their skills, the 360 version is perfect for some real competition. Overall this is the real advantage over the Xbox version and once you play online for yourself, you will see what I am talking about. A great set-up, easy to find a room and there are plenty of rooms to choose from or create your own.

Graphics / Presentation

A lot has been said about certain titles looking worse or showing their flaws with the new HD additions to the graphics. There is definitely a learning curve for the makers of the game and for the gamers. We are all trying to adjust to what we think is right visually with the HDTV graphics. Yes, there is definitely room for improvement in the graphics area. In time, developers will have the right adjustments with the new technology. It could have used some polish in certain areas and so did the Xbox version. Since this is a port and not a new version, it’s going to have those same flaws. Yes, the other characters in the game could have looked better. The overall graphics look good, but the details need work. I tend to concentrate on pulling off that combo not looking for every little graphical error. In other words; the graphics are decent.

Audio

Soundtrack wise the game has a mix of punk bands paying tribute to other punk bands. It fits the gameplay but personally I love the option of streaming the music and thankfully you can without missing out on the sound cues and speaking parts that help you through the game. The voice actors fit their roles and while not loaded with a ton of speech, it is the right amount for the title. You will hear the word noob allot just like in the Xbox version. Overall the sounds of the wheels and grinds are great and well done. You will hear the cars honking and the occasional sound bytes the franchise is known for. It makes you feel like you are in LA and they did a great job of it.

Replay Value

Extreme sports fans will get the most replay value out of this one but the fact it is a bit easier in certain places will draw in those who may have tried in the past and become frustrated. The addition of the 360 achievements will give those who want to go for everything another reason to keep playing. Even those just beginning will earn points and find that the game is not hard to learn.

Overall Score

Overall Score: 8.2/10 [not an average]

Additional Comments

American Wasteland is a step in the right direction for the series and certainly plays well enough on the 360. I would have liked to see something new added to this one, but the game is solid although a little shorter, possibly by design. Add in the great controls and the new option of streaming music easier than the old custom soundtracks and fans of the Birdman will find it a great game. You definitely need to play it online to get the most out of it.

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