Five years after the triumphant return of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1+2, Activision and Iron Galaxy have delivered the highly anticipated sequel. Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4 brings back two legendary entries that represent both the peak and evolution of the franchise. While the visual overhaul is absolutely stunning and the core gameplay remains addictive, several compromises prevent this from being the definitive experience fans hoped for.
Table of Contents
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4: The Complete Breakdown
| Aspect | Score | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visuals | 9/10 | Stunning 4K remake, detailed environments | None significant |
| Gameplay | 9/10 | Tight controls, excellent level design | THPS4 career mode changes |
| Soundtrack | 6/10 | Great new additions | Only 10 original tracks remain |
| Content | 7/10 | Strong level variety | Limited unlockable characters |
| Overall Experience | 8/10 | Fun and nostalgic | Falls short of definitive status |
Visual Excellence Meets Modern Gaming
THPS 3+4 is a stunning reimagining of the originals, powered by Unreal Engine 4. Locations like Foundry have explosive effects when grinding on specific rails, while levels like College feature more locale-specific nods like bulletin board notices and festive ticker tape parades to the academic setting.
Unlike the somewhat barren levels of THPS 1+2, these environments feel truly alive. Gone are the borderline eerie levels of the first remake. Here, pedestrians walk the streets and comment on your skating skills, cars drive around you, and interactive elements like earthquakes, draining pools, and moving cranes alter level geometry dynamically.
Gameplay That Captures Lightning in a Bottle
As expected, THPS 3+4 plays like a dream, remaining virtually unchanged from the 2020 remake’s excellent foundation. New moves like Skitching (grabbing onto cars and riding alongside them) add fresh mechanics without disrupting the core experience.
The star of THPS 3+4 is undoubtedly the level design. Levels like Airport, Alcatraz, Rio, and San Francisco are each some of the best-designed levels in the series. These were built for big, elaborate combos rather than the simpler scoring systems of earlier games, and it shows.
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The Career Mode Controversy
Here’s where things get complicated. While THPS 3 translates perfectly with its classic two-minute challenge format, THPS 4’s levels suffer from a controversial design decision.
The Original THPS 4 Format:
- No time limits on challenges
- NPC-activated missions
- Freeform exploration encouraged
- Levels designed for extended play sessions
The Remake’s Approach:
- Forces two-minute format on THPS 4 levels
- Static goals replace NPC interactions
- Some levels feel too big for timed sessions
- Awkward goal placement and pacing
The disconnect between level design and career mode causes a strange divide in the remake’s overall package. While the first half (THPS 3) is practically perfect, the changes become very noticeable as you progress through THPS 4 content.
Missing Magic: Soundtrack and Unlockables
Perhaps the most egregious changes involve content cuts. The original soundtrack has been reduced to just 10 tracks across both games (46 songs are missing in total). While new additions from Schoolboy Q, 100 Gecs, Vince Staples, and Run The Jewels fit the vibe perfectly, longtime fans will miss skating to the complete original soundtracks that defined these games.
The unlockable characters situation is similarly disappointing. Instead of iconic characters like Darth Maul, Jango Fett, Wolverine, and others from the originals, we get just three characters: Michelangelo (TMNT), Doom Slayer, and one more—with two requiring real money purchases.
What Works Despite the Compromises
The remake successfully captures the essence of why these games became legendary. The tone feels right, the gameplay is tighter than ever, and levels like Movie Studio and Waterpark (created by Iron Galaxy) demonstrate deep understanding of what makes Tony Hawk games special.
The visual improvements go beyond mere HD updates. Each level tells a story through environmental details, from explosive grinding effects to dynamic weather and bustling cityscapes that make you feel like part of a living world.
The Bigger Picture for the Franchise
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4 perfectly tees up the developer for future remasters while keeping the spark alive for newer generations. It’s evidence that the series’ core mechanics remain timeless and engaging after more than two decades.
However, corporate realities have clearly impacted the final product. Modern licensing challenges and monetization pressures have stripped away some of the playful spirit that made the originals special.
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Final Verdict: Good, But Not Great
While Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4 is undoubtedly worth playing, especially for newcomers to the series, it falls short of the definitive experience that THPS 1+2 delivered. The game succeeds as a beautiful modernization of classic levels with tight gameplay, but the compromises—particularly regarding THPS 4’s career mode and missing content—prevent it from reaching legendary status.
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Looking Forward
Despite its flaws, THPS 3+4 proves there’s still massive appetite for well-made skateboarding games. If Iron Galaxy can learn from these missteps while maintaining the visual and gameplay excellence, future entries could recapture the magic that made this series a cultural phenomenon.
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FAQs
Q: Is Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4 worth buying for newcomers to the series?
A: Absolutely! While longtime fans might notice the missing content and compromises, newcomers will experience some of the best-designed skateboarding levels ever created with modern visuals and tight controls. The core gameplay that made these games legendary remains intact and incredibly fun.
Q: What’s the biggest difference between the THPS 3 and THPS 4 portions of the remake?
A: THPS 3 is nearly a perfect remake that maintains the original’s two-minute challenge format perfectly. THPS 4, however, suffers from having its originally freeform, NPC-based mission structure forced into the classic timed format, making some levels feel awkward and not true to the original design philosophy.
