The Tony Hawk`s Pro Skater franchise, a fan favorite since its debut on PlayStation in 1999, sees a triumphant return with Tony Hawk`s Pro Skater 3+4. Developed by Iron Galaxy, this latest installment skillfully blends remade versions of the beloved third and fourth games with an exciting collection of entirely new experiences. While there might be initial hesitation concerning the first new THPS levels in almost two decades, the game confidently sticks the landing, proving its worth.
The core gameplay mechanics of the Tony Hawk`s Pro Skater series, an arcade-style skating simulator that perfectly balances realism with over-the-top trick execution, largely remain unchanged. Like its predecessors, THPS 3+4 tasks players with completing objectives and missions within a strict two-minute time limit. However, a significant quality-of-life improvement allows players to extend this timer to up to 60 minutes, offering much more flexibility.
The skating mechanics are more refined than ever, providing incredibly precise controls that make executing complex tricks immensely satisfying. Skating feels fast and fluid, and while there`s a slight learning curve, once mastered, the experience is truly unparalleled. No other game has so perfectly captured the thrill of skateboarding, making players feel incredibly cool as they pull off daring maneuvers in precarious situations.
The diverse and varied levels significantly enhance this immersive feeling. Classic stages like THPS 3`s Canada and Airport are as enjoyable and satisfying as they were originally, while the newly introduced levels integrate seamlessly, feeling like unearthed gems from the series` archives. Iron Galaxy`s talent is evident in how cohesive all these levels feel, although structural modifications to THPS 4`s original stages have made them feel somewhat less impactful in comparison.
Initially, THPS 4 broke away from the two-minute timer, introducing more open-world environments with longer, more complex tasks. In this remake, however, those tasks have been adapted to fit the two-minute limit, aligning the structure with THPS 3`s levels. This design choice makes those particular levels feel noticeably more constrained, giving the impression that the objectives should be more dynamic and the environments more vibrant. While this issue is less pronounced in the newly designed levels, it stands as a minor flaw in an otherwise outstanding experience.
Another significant strength of THPS 3+4 is its expansive and varied roster of playable skaters. Naturally, classic characters such as Tony Hawk himself, Bam Margera, and Steve Caballero make their return, but the game also introduces a host of fresh faces. The lineup includes prominent contemporary figures like X Games gold medalist Aori Nishimura and Asian Games gold medalist Margielyn Didal, alongside a wide array of renowned athletes from across decades of skateboarding history, offering a familiar entry point for fans of any age. Additionally, players can create their own custom characters; although the character creator tools are somewhat basic, the selection of unlockable clothing options is impressively extensive.
Tony Hawk`s Pro Skater 3+4 builds upon the strong foundation laid by its predecessor, Pro Skater 1+2, potentially becoming the finest skating game ever developed. It expertly blends nostalgic levels with compelling brand-new content, all unified by the series` most refined and enjoyable gameplay to date. While it`s not entirely without imperfections—especially for fans of the original THPS 4 who might be disappointed by certain structural alterations—the sheer abundance of enjoyable elements makes any minor shortcomings easily negligible.