Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Review – Skating It Safe
When the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series first burst onto the scene, it did more than just introduce millions to the exhilarating world of skateboarding; it became a cultural touchstone. It was a gateway, not just to tricks and grinds, but to an entire subculture that influenced music, fashion, and attitudes. The recent release of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 aims to recapture that magic, combining two of the franchise’s most beloved titles into a single, remade package. Developed by Iron Galaxy Studios and published by Activision, this collection brings the groundbreaking gameplay of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 alongside the evolutionary step taken by Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4. We’ve spent considerable time with this nostalgic revival on the PlayStation 5, exploring whether it can reignite the passion of long-time fans and engage a new generation.
A Nostalgic Journey Through Iconic Levels
Booting up Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 immediately transports players back to the early 2000s. The iconic menus, the familiar soundtracks, and the instantly recognizable level designs all evoke a powerful sense of nostalgia. Iron Galaxy Studios has done an exceptional job of modernizing the visuals without sacrificing the authenticity that made the original games so special. The environments are richer, the textures are sharper, and the character models have been updated, all while meticulously recreating the layouts of classic skate parks like the School II, Marseille, and the Airport. This attention to detail is crucial for a remake, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 largely delivers on this front, offering a visual experience that feels both familiar and fresh.
However, while the environments and core gameplay elements have been faithfully recreated, the NPC character models still retain a somewhat dated and even comical appearance. This is a minor quibble in the grand scheme of things, but it does serve as a reminder that while the graphics have been significantly enhanced, certain aspects of the original presentation remain.
Gameplay: The Timeless Thrill of the Combo
At its heart, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is about mastering the art of the combo. The controls are as tight and responsive as ever, allowing players to seamlessly string together manuals, grinds, flips, and grinds to build astronomical scores. The introduction of the revert, which allows players to seamlessly transition from landing a grind back into a manual, revolutionized gameplay in the original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3, and its inclusion here is as pivotal as ever. This mechanic, along with the introduction of lip tricks in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, forms the bedrock of the experience.
Iron Galaxy Studios has also introduced some welcome quality-of-life improvements and gameplay modifiers, often referred to as “game mods.” These include options for perfect manual and grind balance, a never-bail setting, and the ability to change the length of a run. These additions cater to a wide range of players, from those seeking the pure challenge of the original games to newcomers who might appreciate a little assistance as they learn the ropes. The emphasis, however, remains on the classic two-minute timed runs. This format encourages strategic planning and execution, forcing players to divide their attention between various objectives and high-scoring opportunities within a limited timeframe. This structured approach to level design and goal completion is a cornerstone of the series’ enduring appeal, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 masterfully preserves this.
The Evolution of Career Mode: From THPS3 to THPS4
A significant aspect of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is how it presents the evolution of the series’ Career Mode. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 adheres to the more traditional structure: a series of distinct levels, each with a set of goals to achieve, culminating in a timed run for a high score. This focused approach is incredibly satisfying, as it allows players to dive deep into each environment and master its intricacies.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, on the other hand, represented a significant departure with its open-world-lite design. Instead of simply presenting a list of goals, THPS4 offered a more immersive experience where players interacted with NPCs who provided them with specific challenges. This was a bold move that laid the groundwork for future installments like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater: Underground and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater: American Wasteland. It also offered a more organic glimpse into the culture surrounding skateboarding.
In Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, Iron Galaxy Studios has made a conscious decision to homogenize the Career Mode, bringing THPS4’s structure closer to that of THPS3. This means the open-world elements and character-driven missions of THPS4 have been replaced with the familiar two-minute timers and goal lists. While this makes for a more streamlined and, arguably, a more consistently engaging gameplay experience within the context of the collection, it does mean that a crucial part of THPS4’s identity has been sanded down.
From a pure gameplay standpoint, this decision is understandable. The two-minute run format is incredibly effective for skill progression and level mastery. The added collectible placements, secret decks, and skater stat boosts sprinkled throughout each level provide ample incentive for repeated playthroughs. Furthermore, the ability to directly impact your created skater’s progression by collecting cash and stats adds a satisfying layer of personalization, allowing your skater to feel truly unique alongside the roster of legendary pros and new faces.
However, the question remains: does this homogenization serve the spirit of a remake? By smoothing out the differences, especially the innovative structural changes of THPS4, the collection risks feeling more like an extensive add-on to THPS3 rather than a faithful celebration of two distinct, yet equally influential, titles. It’s a different way to play THPS4, certainly a more immediately accessible and engaging way within this package, but it undeniably strips away some of the original game’s unique character and its pioneering role in the series’ evolution.
New Levels and Content: A Welcome Addition
One of the most exciting aspects of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is the inclusion of three brand-new levels designed by Iron Galaxy Studios for the THPS4 portion of the collection. These new environments are not mere afterthoughts; they are expertly crafted spaces that seamlessly blend with the classic levels. They serve as exceptional playgrounds for creating intricate combos and are brimming with secrets and easter eggs that long-time fans will appreciate. Their successful integration is a testament to Iron Galaxy’s understanding of what makes a Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater level great.
Beyond the new levels, the collection also features updated branding, modern song selections mixed with classic tracks, and new skaters. While these additions aim to make Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 feel relevant to a contemporary audience, there’s a lingering sense that these updates are more superficial than substantive. The inclusion of modern brands and music, while necessary for a modern release, can sometimes feel like a checklist of brand deals rather than a genuine reflection of the cultural impact the series once had. The original games were deeply intertwined with the rise of alternative culture, influencing fashion and music tastes for an entire generation. This remake, while excellent in its gameplay and visual modernization, struggles to convey that specific context or explain why these games were so influential in the early 2000s to those not already immersed in that history.
The Cultural Context: A Missed Opportunity?
Part of the enduring legacy of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater lies in its ability to act as a cultural conduit. It brought the raw energy of skateboarding, heavily influenced by MTV and the anarchic spirit of shows like Jackass, into living rooms worldwide. The series’ soundtrack choices were instrumental in shaping music tastes, and its stylish presentation influenced fashion trends.
While Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 excels at recreating the gameplay mechanics that made these titles so addictive, it falls somewhat short in effectively communicating the broader cultural significance of the series to newcomers. The inclusion of modern songs and updated brands feels like an attempt to bridge the gap, but it doesn’t quite capture the unique alchemy that made the original games so resonant. It’s akin to admiring a famous painting without understanding the historical context or artistic movement that gave it birth.
This lack of deeper contextualization is perhaps most apparent when considering the homogenization of THPS4’s Career Mode. By stripping away the open-world-lite structure, the collection removes a key element that showcased the series’ evolution and its growing connection to the wider world of skate culture. While the streamlined approach makes for a more efficient gameplay loop, it also erases a piece of the narrative that illustrated how Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater was not just a game, but a reflection of a growing social phenomenon.
Multiplayer: Still a Blast, With Some Quirks
The multiplayer suite in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 remains a significant draw, offering a variety of arcade-style competitions that are as fun and engaging as ever. The core of these modes revolves around achieving high scores and executing long, impressive combos on the same expertly crafted levels found in the Career Modes.
However, the multiplayer experience isn’t without its frustrations. The lack of level voting between rounds is particularly baffling. Players are left at the mercy of a random selection, which can be disappointing if you were hoping to skate a specific favorite park. Similarly, the absence of playlist options in the primary “moshpit” mode, where the game randomly cycles through various minigames, limits player choice and can lead to repetitive sessions.
On the brighter side, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 does introduce some welcome new multiplayer modes. The H-A-W-K mode, which tasks players with finding hidden H-A-W-K letters scattered throughout a level, adds a fun scavenger hunt element. The Free Skate option is also a valuable addition, allowing up to eight players to simply hang out and skate together in a shared environment without the pressure of objectives or timers. These additions provide fresh ways to engage with the game’s core mechanics and its community.
The Create-A-Park suite has also seen improvements, offering a more streamlined and user-friendly interface for building custom skate parks. While this feature is something we’re eager to explore further as the community develops its creations, it’s clear that the tools provided are robust and offer immense potential for player-generated content.
The Verdict: A Masterclass in Gameplay, A Shadow of its Cultural Impact
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is, without question, a triumph of gameplay modernization. Iron Galaxy Studios has meticulously recreated the exhilarating mechanics and iconic level designs that defined these two landmark titles. The introduction of the revert and lip tricks, coupled with the streamlined two-minute run format, makes for an addictive and deeply satisfying experience. The inclusion of new levels and enhanced graphics ensures that the game looks and plays exceptionally well on modern hardware.
From a pure gameplay perspective, the decision to integrate THPS4’s structure into the more familiar THPS3 format is understandable and results in a highly playable package. The extended playtime offered by the collection, with its abundance of collectibles and unlockables, provides significant value for money.
However, the collection’s biggest challenge lies in its inability to fully convey the cultural context and impact that the original games had. While the gameplay is faithfully reproduced, the underlying social and cultural significance that made the series so revolutionary feels somewhat diluted. The modernization of brands and music, while present, doesn’t quite recapture the authentic connection to the alternative culture that the originals fostered so effectively.
Despite this, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is an easy recommendation for fans of the series. It offers a superb way to relive the glory days of THPS3 and THPS4, and its tight controls and engaging gameplay will undoubtedly win over new players. It’s a game that allows you to chain together endless combos and rediscover the pure joy of virtual skateboarding. The score of 8 reflects a package that excels in its core offerings but leaves room for improvement in its ability to truly connect with the cultural zeitgeist that the original games so powerfully embodied. It’s a testament to the enduring quality of the original designs, presented in a package that, while perhaps a touch too safe in its modernization of THPS4’s identity, is still an absolute blast to play.