Version tested: PlayStation 4 Pro
"Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 is one of the best remakes released this year as it manages to keep its original roots intact but by modern standards."
The influence exerted on the skateboarding scene is undoubtedly remarkable Tony Hawk's Pro Skater when it was launched in the distance 1999. The game not only played a decisive role in the success of other titles in the industry: Skate, Skater XL and Session, but it influenced an entire generation of skateboarders. Everyone who went through the magnificent 90s has vivid memories of the classic arcade skateboarding title. Everyone wanted to play with it and many decided to try their hand at the "discipline" in the first person. With a skateboard underfoot and more or less improvised tracks, the rest didn't matter. While we're a little disappointed that it's not a brand new iteration, we're incredibly thrilled to have been able to relive our childhood thanks to Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2, perhaps one of the most annoying ways to name a game, is a complete remake of the two original titles, which keeps every part of its arcade gameplay intact that veterans will remember; but also introducing new elements that adapt the experience to a certainly different and more modern audience. But for less budding players, expect to see original levels with completely new details and the original soundtrack along with previously unreleased tracks composed by some of the greatest modern artists.
It's like riding a bicycle
Within minutes of starting the game, I quickly found myself inundated with memories of playing Tony Hawk on PlayStation as a kid. It took just a moment to chain a series of combos and it was like stepping back in time. Everything looks so familiar. The levels are laid out exactly as I remembered them: small and compact with a level design that allows you to perform one kickflip after another to continue the combined chain of magical and exciting stunts.
And with updated graphics, the levels now look much more complex with glass doors revealing interiors, puddles that reflect the environment, lights shining on objects, and so much more.
Photo mode? No thanks!
The high-quality textures and post-processing are certainly something that impresses, but sadly there is no official photo mode. This would have allowed us to immortalize our skateboarder struggling with an incredible number. It is a somewhat bizarre and disconcerting choice. At a time when photo modes are becoming more and more popular, this seems like a huge lost opportunity to capitalize on the culture of social media sharing. Especially for a sport, like skateboarding, perhaps a little gone by the wayside.
"Old style" gameplay
From a gameplay point of view, Vicarious Visions (the developer of this remake) made sure that Pro Skater 1 + 2 kept its arcade roots strongly intact. You are still facing it at a 2 minute timer, you can still ollie from a ramp onto a lamppost and chain stunts in incredibly quick succession.
Basically, it keeps that fast-paced fun in the foreground, where the player is required to press a series of button combinations that so characterized late 90s titles.
"The clock runs"
The levels are locked and can be unlocked after reaching a certain number of objectives. This system, while frustrating at times, is a clever way to encourage the user to keep trying until they can complete all the objectives. Nonetheless, it would have been nice to have some form of guidance system in place, or at least make some more "tough" targets more evident. Sure, it might be part of the challenge, but there's no attention whatsoever for those who might have a hard time locating them visually.
That said, the game allows you to enable some small aids such as perfect balance and another that makes bailing impossible, or the failure of a stunt. Features that can help less experienced players enjoy the game in maximum comfort. These “assists” do not work in some modes and, if enabled, your score is not recorded in the leaderboard. If you want to avoid all the objectives, you can try your hand at free mode, fast run or a single ranked session. All levels are already unlocked in this area in both games.
The multiplayer is there
While most of the two remakes are mostly single-player, it was inevitable that the developer didn't add multiplayer elements. The split-screen multiplayer, for example, keeps the nostalgic atmosphere, while the online mode pits us against 6 other players in numerous levels to compete in different game modes.
Among these, the most inspired is certainly the competitive mode in which things get more serious and require a rather high level of preparation. There is no free online mode, which would allow players less confident with the title to perform pirouettes and stunts together with their friends in total relaxation, without worrying about time and competition.
Here's how I customize the skate for you and not only
There are also many more customization options available to make your skaters and parks unique and more in "our style". You can equip a total of 4 custom skaters with different types of clothing, skate decals, skin tones, skating style, stats, etc. You can even choose different presets for pro skaters with the ability to unlock others that are related to challenges and level advancements.
There is a shop that has items to purchase through the use of in-game currency which you will get by competing in competitions and completing challenges. What we found odd is that although it is possible to purchase props to use in the "Create a Park" mode, (which should incentivize players to play more, earn more, or buy more), we would have preferred to have full access to props to be able to unleash our more creative side.
"Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 is a throwback in a way that hasn't erased its charm and legacy."
Despite this, the size of the parks that can be created is quite large and offers space and flexibility. However, it may seem limiting when you realize that you can only rotate objects at sharp 90-degree angles with no freedom of rotation. There is an online section that allows you to explore community-created content and official Vicarious Visions creations. If you can make it through the first two games, you will have a huge list of challenges that will keep you really busy. This way you can earn more and unlock more cosmetic items and items. These challenges are present for every available mode, no matter what your favorite mode is, you will always have something to compete for and to earn.
D-pad, where are you?
All of these menu items for skater customization, shop, stats, and others are laid out like most modern games. The submenus are hidden in the main menu, which can be accessed via the appropriate commands. For hardened Tony Hawk veterans, there's the option to use the default control scheme or experiment with the original control scheme from one of the two original games. Personally, I felt more comfortable with the default controls using the PlayStation 4 gamepad, but even then it felt wrong not to use a classic PS1 controller. I found that my modern self was automatically looking for the analog stick, but my nostalgic memory always caused my thumb to press the d-pad - just like in the old days.
The return of an old friend
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 seems like the perfect way to pay homage to these timeless classics. This is largely due to the work done by Vicarious which allowed me to revisit my youth with some modern additions.
The selection of pro skaters is huge, some new and others I remember from the original games in the franchise, but they are represented at their true age to this day. Among these we have: Steve Caballero, Geoff Rowley, Bucky, Lasek Elissa Steamer and many others. It is as if I have found myself with an old friend and, although we have grown up and have new friends in tow, the memories we have lived are vivid and indelible.
Final comment
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2, unlike most of the modern skateboarding games we see today, is not a simulation, but it is something fun, enjoyable in short or long sessions. It's a return to the past in a way that hasn't erased its charm and legacy. It expands on that and becomes one of the best remakes released this year while keeping its original roots intact, but squinting at modern standards.
