At one point,Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4felt like a pipe dream. DespiteTHPS 1+2being stellar, the rumors of a follow-up eventually settled down, and it certainly seemed like we might never get new, updated versions of the middleTHPSentries. Thankfully, five years later, here we are -THPS 3+4is real, and more than that, it’s fun. With an excellent soundtrack and gameplay that feels just as enoyable today as it did two decades ago, there’s a lot to love about the latestTony Hawkgame.
Developed by Iron Galaxy and published by Activision,Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4takes playerson the familiar, arcade-style gameplay loop of spending 2 minutes in various levels, finding collectibles and racking up combos to get high scores. There are still options like Free Skate available, and Time Trials and Multiplayer offer shake-ups of the typical gameplay formula. There are countless decks, wheels, equipment, and clothing items to choose from. And all the while, punk and hip-hop songs from the original games (and some new ones too) play in the background.
Two Great Games For The Price Of One
THPS 3+4 Brings In The Best Of Both Worlds
I’ll admit,THPS 2was always my favorite untilTHUGandAmerican Wastelandcame along. I hadn’t touchedTHPS 3or4since they were new, so playing throughTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4had a bit more discovery involved thanTHPS 1+2did. Nostalgia was still a factor, as I’m sure it’ll be for many people playing this new-and-improved version, but both games stand well on their own - a fact that works in their favor when appealing to a new generation who may not have even been born when the original games came out.
Combining two older games into one package also works inTHPS 3+4’s favor, just as it did for1+2. Whether you plan on working through the levels and calling it a day, or spending numerous hours completing challenges and landing all the gaps, you’ll never feel like this isn’t anything other than a great two-for-one deal.
New Challenges & Collectibles Await
A Great Mix Of The Old & New
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4is more than just a graphical upgrade. There’s more to do and more to find, and there’s a lot more to collect. Like the VV logos inTHPS1+2,Iron Galaxy logos are a new collectible in every level. There are some new secret areas to discover, some funnew skaters to unlock, and enough unlockable skating gear and clothing to make even the biggest skate shop envious. New challenges, which typically rely on finding specific gaps or performing tough combos, will usually net you a set of decks, gear, and a clothing item or two. You can also unlock various game mods and secrets.
For the most part, the additions made toTHPS 3+4feel necessary and work well. I tried out a few newskaters on the roster, despite the fact that I’m always going to make a custom skater that looks like me (or playing as Rodney Mullen otherwise), and thought the newbies added some needed variety to the game and offered interesting new tricks. Experimenting with other skaters also allows you to try new combos and see which skating methods meld best with your own playstyle.
There was a lot to do withTHPS 3+4removing Career ModefromTHPS 4, but it actually works. I liked the more open-ended gameplay of the original, but having levels newly fitted to the formula we’ve seen in the previous three entries is probably less jarring, especially for those new to the games, and considering it’s combined here withTHPS 3, that kind of symmetry just makes sense. It certainly doesn’t feel like we’re getting a diminished version ofTHPS 4.
Create-A-Park & Custom Skaters Get The Job Done
Customization Options Have Pros & Cons
I could take or leave most of the other modes inTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, but for the purpose of reviewing the game, I spent a good amount of time in Create-A-Park. The sandbox mode is a marked improvement overTHPS 1+2’s, which always felt clunky to me, and I’m interested in seeing what other people are able to build with it. It’s not bad by any means - I’m just not personally playing aTHPSgame for a sandbox, so it’s not for me.
Create-A-Skater also returns, and this is the one disappointment I have with the game. There are various default faces to choose from, enough hairstyles and facial hair to get by on, and make-up options that range from practical to punk rock. There are some truly hilarious and wacky combinations to be made here, but it still feels lacking - and I still wish I could make a skater that looks a bit more like me (how are glasses not an option from the get-go?).
If you want to make your skater look as preposterous as possible, go for it. If you want to dress them in clothes you actually own, then you can do that too. The clothing and accessories are really where you can start to make your character look the way you want, and there’s a fantastic selection of decks to choose from. What’s here is great, but I want more.
For almost thirty years now,THPSgames have given me some of the best memories I’ve had in gaming, and that certainly continues withTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4.
Overall, that’s how I feel about all ofTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4- what’s here is great, but I’d love to see more of it. Whether that’s in the form of DLC, thatlong-rumoredTHUGremaster, or even a brand-new game, only time will tell. For almost thirty years now,THPSgames have given me some of the best memories I’ve had in gaming, and that certainly continues withTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4. Like my skater at the competition in Rio, it deserves a gold medal.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4
Activision has officially announcedTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, a comprehensive remake of the iconic skateboarding titles. Developed by Iron Galaxy Studios, this collection revamps the original games with enhanced 4K visuals, smoother animations, and improved lighting effects. Players can skate as legends like Tony Hawk and Rodney Mullen, or as contemporary stars such as Rayssa Leal and Yuto Horigome. Notably, the Digital Deluxe Edition introduces the Doom Slayer from theDoomseries as a playable character. The game also boasts cross-platform online multiplayer for up to eight players and an updated soundtrack blending classic hits with new tracks.
A review copy of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 for PlayStation 5 was provided to ScreenRant for the purpose of this review.
