Remakes and remasters are very a lot an “in” factor at the second, and whereas it is no shock that we’d finally see what are arguably two of the greatest entries in the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater sequence make their method to fashionable platforms, I undoubtedly did not count on this bundle to be as strong of a remake because it’s shaping as much as be. From the immediately recognizable ranges of THPS 3, to the controls that activated a muscle reminiscence I did not notice was saved in my mind for over 20 years, and the refreshing pick-up-and-play two-minute deadlines, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is certainly shaping as much as not solely be one of 2025’s higher remakes, however a recreation which will hold you kicking and pushing for dozens of hours this summer time.
As the identify suggests, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is a remake of each video games with a contemporary facelift, new parks and skaters, and most significantly, a banger of a soundtrack. It performs precisely prefer it did again when it was launched on the PlayStation 2, and it is clear that that is undoubtedly an “if it ain’t broke, do not repair it” form of remake. There is a sense of nostalgia I felt when revisiting basic maps like THPS 3’s Suburbia and 4’s faculty, and whereas these undoubtedly look a lot better now for apparent causes, it nonetheless felt like the similar video games my associates and I stayed up means too late taking part in on Friday nights all these years in the past. The wackiness and weirdness of the THPS video games remains to be right here, and out of doors of just a few fashionable updates to the roster and the promise of new methods and a brand new recreation plus mode, that is undoubtedly the Tony Hawk you keep in mind from yesteryear.
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That is to not say it is all hardflips and clean pavement, although. Whereas Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 performs actually easily and the inclusion of the conventional two-minute timer works surprisingly properly, the lack of the marketing campaign mode is a bit of a sore spot in an in any other case promising remake. THPS purists is perhaps let down from this, however after taking part in for round two hours I did not actually miss it a lot. There’s one thing refreshing about taking part in a recreation that respects my time and limits me to shorter bursts of gameplay in an age the place each recreation needs me to play it for tons of of hours on finish. Whereas a profession mode would have been a cool inclusion, there’s nonetheless loads right here that is value sinking your enamel into.
The gameplay feels pure – nothing’s been messed with, fortunately – and inside minutes I used to be pulling off lengthy grinds into manuals again into grinds and chasing that ever-elusive larger rating whereas flying round the map attempting to fill out SKATE. After a couple of minutes of tripping over myself in a comically over the high means, the controls shortly got here again to me and I used to be flying round suburbia, heel flipping over automobiles, and popping off that satisfying orchestra hit each time I landed a particular transfer. The brand new map, Waterpark, felt prefer it was all the time half of the authentic video games and was simply one of the most enjoyable ranges to grind round and uncover its secrets and techniques. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater’s addictive gameplay loop saved me wanting extra each time the timer ticked right down to the previous couple of seconds, and I steadily discovered myself shortly hopping again in for only one extra run.
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In a time the place it looks like each recreation from the early 2000’s is getting a contemporary facelift, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is shaping as much as be a welcome addition to a yr full of glorious remakes and remasters. From its devoted recreation of what made the PS2-era classics so memorable, to its fashionable high quality of life enhancements, glorious soundtrack, and general love letter to the sequence early days, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 may be very a lot one thing that ought to be in your radar should you’re a fan of skateboarding, take pleasure in motion sports activities video games, or simply need to play one thing that is easy and enjoyable. It is perhaps the best kickflip you’ll land this yr.