Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 Review A Deep Dive into the Remake's Gameplay Music and Level Changes

Review of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 A Mix that Hits (Mostly) All the Right Chords

I spent a lot of time on the main career mode in the new Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 combo. It is a story of two parts. The remake of Pro Skater 3 is great, marking a key game in the sixth gaming era. The redo of Pro Skater 4 is less full, showing a new take on free move spots and goals. Some things work well, but some may not sit right with old fans.

Building the Game

Iron Galaxy made the game, and Activision Blizzard put it out. The team had less time than usual for this project, but they did a good job. After Pro Skater 1 and 2 did well with Vicarious Visions, Iron Galaxy took over when Vicarious joined Blizzard. The game is fun but has some missing parts and changes that might not please fans, like how Pro Skater 4 is set up and big changes to the music.

Don't expect a perfect remake of both games, mainly Pro Skater 4. Many things have changed. Some spots have new looks and ways to play, and Pro Skater 4 now feels more like the old two-minute games. But if you see this as a new take on old games, not a redo, it's still fun to play.

How it Plays and Looks

The main play is still smooth skating. All the basic moves are there: flips, grabs, grinds, and more. There is a useful optional guide for new players or those needing a boost, which even gives you in-game stuff.

The game looks good, and it moves well. There are a few small issues with how smooth it plays on PC, but it runs well in general. The main menu looks a bit like a free-play game, which is odd for this game. There are no extra costs or buy-ins past the big version (as we know), but the store feels a bit like those free-to-play games. This is only in how it looks, though.

What You Can Get and Find

You get Skater Bucks by doing tasks and finding money in the game. You use these to buy new boards, clothes, and stuff you can unlock. It's easy to get stuff; making a skater lets you unlock Bam Margera from the shop. You can also get Pro Skaters Andy Anderson and Michelangelo, with their cool moves. You can also change how the game looks with screen effects and styles. It doesn't take long to get these things.

In the game spots, you can find hidden decks and Iron Galaxy logos in tricky spots, just like in past remakes. There's also a Photo Mode to snap your falls and tricks.

There are many ways to play: Career, Free Skate, Single Session, Speedrun, and Multiplayer. When you finish all the tasks, you get Pro Goals that are harder.

The team list is big, with old and new skaters, and special ones like Doom Slayer in the big version. You can make up to four custom skaters with lots of choices and plenty to find in the shop. The Create A Park part lets you add custom goals and bits like NPCs, making it the best yet.

Changes to Spots and Looks

Most of the old Pro Skater 3 and 4 spots are back, but some, like Chicago and Carnival, are not there. To make up, three new levels are in the Pro Skater 4 tour: Water Park, Pinball, and Movie Studio. Water Park and Pinball are great new parts, while Movie Studio is less exciting.

The classic spots look great and updated. Fans will like the new look of these known places. But, some old spots are much different now with Iron Galaxy's ideas. For example, London is now at night, and Zoo has no animals. Suburbia now has a Halloween feel, not its old feel. In Skater Island, a secret spot is now there. Goals on the Cruise Ship now involve impressing pros, not Neversoft Girls. In Los Angeles, you see a taxi instead of a crime chase, a cleaner change.

Goal Setup

Lots of aims from Pro Skater 3 stay the same, but some are new. At the Airport, going up and over the escalators has taken the spot of grinding by the baggage claim. In Suburbia, grabbing your nose between ramps is in, bumping a heel flip over the trailer is out.

Pro Skater 4 had some worries about its bigger, open spaces and how NPCs gave out tasks. Many online felt the same way. Yet, in this game, you can still hit the goals in the short two-minute rounds. Despite no NPC handing you goals, old aims are mixed into the new list for each place. For instance, manualling the walkway in San Francisco (once given by Eric Koston) can be done in two minutes. Tasks like getting SKATE letters or finding stuff fit well, making it not too hard to try everything at once. Iron Galaxy did well to fit THPS 4’s goals into this setup, though not all long-time fans may like it.

A big plus is being able to make each round last up to 60 minutes with a "game mod." While two minutes is fine for quick aims, longer times help you look around, welcome new players, or just play without watching the clock. It’s a good touch for all skill and nostalgia levels.

The Soundtracks

The music choices stir up talks among old fans. Some big songs return like "Not the Same" by Bodyjar and "Ace of Spades" by Motörhead, but many hits are gone, especially AC/DC's "TNT," a key track in Pro Skater 4. License troubles play a part, and while other music apps work, missing so many original tunes is felt. Even Alien Ant Farm, known for "Wish" in Pro Skater 3, were sad they got no call this time.

The new music picks are pretty good, though. Bands like Turnstile and Urethane bring fresh tracks, and "Kick Push" by Lupe Fiasco shines, playing right at the menu. The Deluxe Edition also has some songs from the Doom soundtrack, a neat extra.

Pros and Cons

Rating: 8,5/10

Wrap-Up

How do Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 fare. They’re not exact copies of the old games, but that’s okay. The Pro Skater 3 remake shines with its familiar setup and better visuals. Pro Skater 4 tries new things, and while some changes are hit or miss, adapting goals works well. While not all may enjoy every twist, the strong gameplay, fun level design, and best-ever Create A Park make this game worth it for old fans and new players alike.

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