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PSX Neversoft/Activision - 2000 What kind of game has a soundtrack laced with underground hardcore/punk bands, the faces of people who are good at skating, the word “SKATE” spelled out across numerous locations around America, several sequels, multiple ripoffs and a chance at making a sports game actually fun for people who hate sports games? Tony Hawk 2, but this one’s not bad. There’s not really a plot to speak of. Um, Tony Hawk and a bunch of Professional Skaters skate a lot. And they do it different places. To collect tapes and do totally awesome tricks. The first game in the THPS series sets up a lot of important trends that pop up in its sequels and ripoffs – the expansive, task–oriented stages, the legion of professional skaters, the amazing tricks. While possessing all the necessary ingredients for explosive popularity, it never quite evoked the incredible sales that its ancestor did. It’s still a good game - playing as famous skaters is fun, and it introduces a vibrant subculture to the mainstream that comes across as new and fresh, because to us, it is. But something’s missing. It’s just a little too simple and a bit too difficult. The stages may be expansive, but they lack a certain detail. They feel slightly incomplete. The physics also depart from normal human capability, but just not far enough. In my humble opinion, the coolest part about Tony Hawk is its “Almost Realism.” The physics Engine is just real enough to convince you that you might actually be capable of doing a Benihana and just surreal enough to do five tricks in the air while spinning around and land with all limbs intact. Of course, it would take Tony Hawk 2 for the formula to truly mature. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater can be summed up in the words of Mary Ellen Wright – “Almost perfect . . . but not quite!” What liked: A fun sports game, “Almost Real” physics, What disliked: Slightly artificial feel What to expect: An awesome take on skating that is both fun and appropriately challenging. What not to expect: What's so different from this and other games of it's genre: A soundtrack done completely by independently prolific bands (a gaggle of punk and hardcore mainstays including the Suicide Machines and Goldfinger), an engaging system of tricks that makes you feel like you know something about skating. Ratings on: Control: 8 (A minute to learn, a lifetime to master. One of the more interesting and addictive parts of the game.) Graphics: 7 (A bit rough around the edges, but the message is not lost.) Sound: 8 (The Skating sounds are a bit annoying, but the soundtrack makes up for it.) Style: 9 (Games based on this concept are still coming out. This game oozes cool like James Dean balancing a penguin on his face.) Difficulty: 7 (Perhaps just a little too difficult) 1st hour: 5 (Grind? EeeEEeeeww! How Fresh!) 2nd hour: 6 (I just pulled off my first half-pipe trick) 5th hour: 8 (I just pulled off my first gigantic trick) 6th hour: 9 (I just exploded) #1 reason why I hate this game: You only get 2 minutes of song per stage. This possesses a suckiness level on par with that of nut cancer. To get a feel for it, go stand on a skateboard, sort of crouch a little bit, stick your hands out and start singing “The song that never ends.” You’ll understand what I mean in about 30 seconds. by Freeohio, senior member of the Mario Party. |
