Here’s a question; what happens when a publisher resurrects a 13 year old game, but the gaming world has, by and large, moved on from the gameplay presented in said 13 year old game? That’s the question that I kept asking myself as I played through Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD. The original THPS was a major part of my college days. I have some fantastic memories of staying up way later than I should have with my dorm mates, trying to nail the 900 with Tony Hawk.
This is by no means an admission that THPS HD is a BAD game…far from it. In fact, Robomodo has done an admirable job recreating what is arguably one of the most memorable games in history. This is the game that kickstarted an entire genre, so it is definitely no slouch. However, ever since THPS 4 ten years ago where a more “open-world†element was introduced, being restricted to 2 minutes per stage and unlocking subsequent levels via challenges seems a lot more laborious. Essentially; I’ve become so spoiled as a gamer in the past decade that I’m finding it somewhat difficult to sit through all the repetition that the original game offers.
This is, of course, a personal issue and no fault of the developer. All personal complaining aside, THPS HD is actually a very well “re†made game. The brilliant thing about the remake is that elements of THPS 2 are added, making the game even more palatable. It would have been harder to go back and play if I couldn’t even perform a manual, for instance. I think having that ability over the course of eight core TH games made it necessary that it be included in THPS HD. With that being said, the gameplay is classic THPS. You’re restricted to 2 minutes per stage and given a variety of different challenges to meet; whether it’s a number of high scores, collecting the letters to S-K-A-T-E, finding the hidden DVDs (replacing VHS tapes from the original), or smashing through a set amount of boxes/barrels, etc.
The gameplay here is as smooth as we all remember. Despite my personal gripes listed above, THPS HD is as fun as THPS was when I first played it. You get seven classic levels pulled from the first two THPS games (Warehouse, School II, Mall, Hangar, Venice Beach, Downhill Jam, and Marseille). Tricks and combos are easy to pull off, and with the new HD graphics, animations are as smooth as ever. In addition to the Career and Free Skate modes, we also get a few other new game modes, with my personal favorite being Big Head Survival. In BHS, your head begins to grow in size. You must perform trick to deflate your head, otherwise it will explode. It’s funny and weird at the same time.
The remake needed to add some spice with new game modes like this. It would have been one thing to recreate the game faithfully with only the game modes that we were used to, but for the reasons mentioned above, that just won’t cut it. BHS is fun, and the addition of online multiplayer will also add some longevity to the game.
At this point it may seem like I’m just slamming the game, but again, the issues I outlined are personal ones, and truth be told, THPS HD is a fantastic tribute. The best thing about this remake is how it looks. The graphics have been revamped for current-gen consoles, and it looks fantastic. The environments look great, with some nice reflective surfaces and dirt/grime effects. The skaters look pretty decent, although the faces could have used some work. Everything moves about at a smooth, confident pace, and I rarely experienced any framerate issues.
This is an important point to note, because let’s be honest; with gameplay remaining largely the same in most HD remakes, it really comes down to visuals. Essentially, with the exception of adding Achievements and Trophies, most HD remakes are simply sharper looking versions of the original game. In this regard, THPS HD has succeeded. Clothing sways as the skaters move about. Explosions look nice with decent particle effects. Glass shatters with a satisfying cloud. Going back and playing the original, it’s hard to admit that I once thought the PS1 version was the pinnacle of video game graphics. THPS HD simply looks fantastic.
One of the best memories I have of the original THPS was of the soundtrack. Yes I know, “Superman†by Goldfinger has been beaten to death and everyone and their mothers has a nostalgic story about where they were when they first played THPS with “Superman†blaring through the TV. But the point is, it worked…and it still does. This is one of those rare instances where a licensed song came to define a game, movie, TV show…what have you. THPS HD contains 14 tracks; half of them taken from THPS and THPS 2, and the other half filled with new songs. Unsurprisingly, only one song was taken from THPS, and the other 6 from THPS 2 (I’ll let you guess which one song from the original comes with the remake…).
In the end, THPS HD is worth your $15…if you’re looking for a tribute to a great game that defined a genre. For those who grew up on THPS 4 and beyond, or Skate, or any other extreme sport/skateboarding/snowboarding type of game, you may want to give it some thought before plopping down your money. This is an extreme sports game stripped down to its barest level. There’s no open world, no freedom, no exploration, no story, and you’re restricted to 2 minute levels and meeting a list of challenges. There’s a lot of rinse and repeat.
But you know what? That’s what THPS HD is all about. It’s a glimpse into what once was, and it gives you a chance to experience that again if you so desire. And for that, Robomodo gets a thumbs up from me.
