Verdict
THPS 1+2 Remastered remembers all the pieces that made the traditional skateboarding collection so nice, and brings it again for the fashionable period. The sport is a bit slower than among the extra wacky titles within the collection, however the concentrate on pure talent and reward makes it troublesome to place down.
Pros
Tight and responsive gameplay
Head-banging soundtrack
Tons of content material
Updated ranges look attractive
Cons
Frustratingly troublesome at occasions
Key Specifications
Review Price: £39.99
Genre: Skateboarding
Developer: Vicarious Visions
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: September 4, 2020
After a five-year hiatus, the enduring skateboarding collection is again with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 Remastered, ushering in what may very well be an entire new period for the franchise.
The 2010s weren’t good to Tony Hawk. Reeling off the failure of the Guitar Hero impressed Tony Hawk’s Ride and Shred video games, the collection noticed two makes an attempt to reclaim its former glory. These got here within the type of the lesser identified Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD, and the now notorious Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5.
So unplayable was Pro Skater 5 upon launch that it appeared to sign the ultimate nail within the coffin for the as soon as beloved collection. Well, this can be a new period now, and Vicarious Visions is again on the helm for some course correction, going again to fundamentals with a full-blown remake of the primary two Pro Skater entries.
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With all of the expectations going into this remaster, I’ll admit that I used to be sceptical, but it surely grew to become clear after 5 minutes of gameplay that Vicarious Visions has carried out the collection proud. Just like driving a motorbike, all the outdated methods got here again to me. The Ollie, the Kickflip, the ‘I could never do that in real life-flip’ – Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater is again.
Whether it’s seize methods, rail grinding or diving right into a handbook, all the pieces feels extremely responsive and precisely the way you keep in mind it. Of course, with this being a remaster, Vicarious Visions has stayed true to the unique video games the place it counts, however there are a number of noticeable adjustments.
For instance, although the transfer wasn’t added till Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3, the flexibility to tug off manuals on this sport opens up an entire new technique of conversing these traditional ranges. The remaster has kept away from adopting the off-the-board exploration launched in Tony Hawk’s Underground, which is bound to please the purists.
While I’m not in opposition to Vicarious Visions desirous to hone in on the core gameplay that made the collection so interesting within the first place, the journey again into talent primarily based gameplay is bound to really feel considerably jarring to followers of the later video games (myself included).
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Things are only a tad slower right here, and it’s rather a lot more durable to realize velocity to make among the sport’s jumps. But should you’re keen to take a position the time, you’re going to get rather a lot out of THPS 1+2 Remastered.
If you’re in search of some combo-building inspiration nevertheless, you’ll be able to at all times take the motion on-line. There are two modes to select from: ‘Jams’ and ‘Competitive’. Jams permits you to compete in an off-the-cuff setting in opposition to a number of different gamers, as you all duke it out in an ever rotating listing of challenges. Competitive ups the ante in a one on one setting that’s ranked, giving the professionals an opportunity to indicate off that ridiculous combo they’ve been perfecting.
Offline, there are a number of alternative ways to benefit from the content material that’s on provide right here. If you wish to hold issues conventional, you’ll be able to progress by THPS 1 and a couple of individually, having fun with the profession mode as you keep in mind it. Alternatively, you’ll be able to go for the free skate mode the place all ranges are open to you, there’s no time restrict and you’ll take pleasure in mentioned levels at your leisure. Speaking of which, it’s right here that you simply’ll see THPS 1+2’s largest overhaul.
It’s not stunning provided that these video games initially debuted on fifth era {hardware}, however Tony Hawk, his buddies and all of the locales they go to have seen a staggering graphical improve. Sure, there’s a slight little bit of uncanny valley with character fashions, however the levels look completely attractive.
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The streets of San Francisco pop with vibrant colors, whereas Venice Beach makes use of some unbelievable lighting results to appear like one large Instagram filter. All of the added element does include a draw back nevertheless, significantly with among the sport’s darker ranges, because it turns into barely harder to pinpoint rails and half-pipes. While the unique titles certain look dated at present, it was positively rather a lot simpler to know the geometry of the extent design.
As if to tempt me to attempt to do higher, Vicarious Visions has included a fully-fledged stage creator within the sport. While I can gladly admit that I’ve completely no talent on the subject of sport design, it’s unbelievable to see the pre-made ranges on provide for example for what may be carried out with the characteristic. In reality, some unbelievable user-made ranges have already began to climb the ranks, guaranteeing that THPS 1+2 will provide an absurd quantity of longevity going ahead.
That worth for cash will also be discovered throughout the single participant part. In addition to the marketing campaign, there’s a plethora of challenges to finish, a few of that are skater-specific to entice gamers to combine issues up and take a look at the roster. Completing these challenges affords you expertise factors and cash – each of which allow you to unlock varied skaters, skateboards and extra within the sport’s store.
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I do know it’s nearly exceptional in 2020, however having an in-game retailer that rewards you for taking part in the sport and never for spending real-world money seems like a breath of recent air. At a time when Marvel’s Avengers has come beneath fireplace for its inclusion of microtransactions, it’s nice to see a title going again to an easier time when all of the content material you needed was already included on the disc.
I’d be remiss if I additionally didn’t give a nod to the sport’s soundtrack. So a lot of the fandom is tied up in nostalgia for the good soundtracks included over time, and THPS 1+2 brings all of it speeding again. Hearing Goldfinger’s Superman as you boot up the sport is a deal with, and there’s loads extra ska, grunge and pop rock the place that got here from.
Still, the parents at Vicarious Visions knew that there could be an entire new era of followers seeing an entry level with this title, and so there are a number of fashionable bangers to be discovered. For instance, I by no means anticipated to listen to Skepta in a Tony Hawk’s title, however the harsh London beats of ‘Shutdown’ match the sport completely.
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Verdict
After a five-year hiatus, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater appeared prefer it was gone for good. Resurrecting the collection was by no means going to be a straightforward activity, however Vicarious Visions has hit it out of the park and introduced the once-great franchise again to its former glory.
The gameplay is so responsive and rewarding that it’s laborious to place down. It would possibly take a while to grasp, however lastly lining up that absurd combo you’ve been practising makes all of it value it. Throw within the in-game development, unlockables, stage creator and on-line play, and also you’re taking a look at one of the vital characteristic packed video games of 2020.