Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4

Developer: Iron Galaxy
Publisher: Activision
Platform: PlayStation 4, Playstation 5 (Reviewed), Switch, Switch 2, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PC
Release Date: Available Now
Price:  $49.99 USD – Available Here

Overview

Tony Hawk has one of the most recognisable properties in the industry. While the last decade has been slow, to say the least, for the franchise, we are finally getting some love with solid remakes. This time around, we are seeing a release for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4. With some refinements and gameplay adjustments in tow, do these two have the same impact as the last re-release or is the excitement over from celebrating the past? Let’s find out.

Story

There isn’t a lot to say here, to be honest, as Tony Hawk isn’t known for a traditional “Story Mode”. Much like the rest of the franchise, “Career” mode stays the same, having players collect items and complete score goals to progress. It’s rather simple, and I do wish there were more depth at times, but this is a remake, and the focus on gameplay is perfectly fine for this run. The games still live off their sense of character, with each level being baked to the brim with life, commotion, and a lot to explore as you work to knock out letters and hit tricks in style.

Gameplay

There is something truly special about how accessible Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater is, and how well it has been adapted for modern platforms. I suppose we would almost need to retread the 1+2 collection to dive into that subject yet again, as while the gameplay itself is almost identical, there is enough difference in the 3+4 collection for it to feel new and exciting. The controls are streamlined and mapped well, making tricks easy to hit as players fly through each track. Sure, you still need a bit of skill, but features made for newcomers assist with that, adding optional difficulty settings while you get re-adjusted to the game itself.

The roster is equally impressive, with modernised versions of almost all past characters from these entries. We also get added maps such as Pinball and Waterpark, which add a lot of new flair for the game, as each map is set up strategically to accommodate the standard gameplay session with a two-minute timer. What is missing this time around are the features from 4 that allowed for more freedom and made the game feel distinct, acting as an evolution at the time for the franchise. While those maps are included, the same engine and features’ rules apply. With this, results may vary on enjoyment as while everything is still fully playable, the time restriction can feel a bit out of place compared to the originals. Sure, things fit still, but just not as cohesively. 

Creation takes centre stage yet again for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, and this time, we get everything for the park creator unlocked from the start. This is ultimately a game of “jump-in, jump-out” gameplay, so I think that works pretty well with this offering. Players can also make a skater to their liking with a decent creation suite for in-game characters, giving a little more personalisation to the experience. 

It’s kind of hard to sit here and say that 3 + 4 are anything less than stellar here, as the gameplay is just so polished that it’s hard not to be ecstatic that a collection like this even exists. That said, I do think that these games, while both large, are certainly feeling like they are more of an expansion to the original two remastered versions, rather than something truly new. The parks are great, the gameplay is fluid and fun, but there just isn’t a ton of “new” offerings here outside of a mode or two to really make it feel like we are moving forward. For Tony Hawk, however, that is just fine.

Audio

The soundtrack is fantastic yet again. You still get your CKY and Aces of Spades, but now there is a good set of new tracks for those with more modern tastes. Everything flows right into this game, and playlists mean you can only listen to what you want to hear, adding the player’s own preference to the experience. The other audio is great, with minor voice work added in to polish up the experience. Sure, there isn’t a ton new here, but it gets the job done well enough.

Visuals

This is the most impressive part. We are on a new console generation since 1 + 2 released, and it is nice to see Hawk and friends look their best for these entries. The parks are also full of animation and life, making exploration feel mandatory to really see everything one area has to offer compared to the next. From the shading to the lighting, it really feels like something special to see the redesigned environments Iron Galaxy created here, and they’re made with a lot of respect to the originals, making this offering feel like it was done with love.

Overall

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 brings back two smash hits, throws in some modern spins, and delivers from top to bottom another fantastic package for fans new and old of this beloved franchise. I think there is a critical part of myself that wants more of minor things or to see exact replicas in some ways, but that isn’t what this franchise is about. It’s the player picking up a board and hitting the streets, and that really is all we need. While not evolutionary in any way, this package is yet another tribute that will be sure to be a cornerstone of the collections of those it was meant for – the fans.