Tony Hawk's™ Pro Skater™ 1 + 2
- October 3, 2023
- Iron Galaxy Studios
- 54h median play time
The Digital Deluxe Edition of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 offers the remastered versions of the first two games in the series, complete with new skaters, outfits, and music, as well as upgraded create-a-park and multiplayer features. Play as legendary pro skater Tony Hawk and other pros, and pull off tricks and combos to compete against players worldwide. This edition also includes unique retro content for create-a-skater mode and local 2-player modes.
Reviews
- Faithful remake of the original THPS games with updated graphics and mechanics.
- Gameplay is addictive and retains the classic feel of the originals.
- Great soundtrack featuring many classic tracks along with new additions.
- Always online requirement for single-player mode is frustrating and unnecessary.
- Some achievements are bugged and do not unlock properly.
- Multiplayer mode is often dead, making it hard to find matches.
- music292 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the remastered Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 has received mixed reviews, with many praising the nostalgic inclusion of most original tracks while noting that a few favorites are missing due to licensing issues. New songs have been added, which some players appreciate for their freshness, but others criticize them as unfitting or of lower quality compared to the classics. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a highlight, blending old and new music, and allowing players to customize their listening experience.
“The soundtrack is a blast from the past, featuring an eclectic mix of tracks from the original games and new additions.”
“The music, the updated graphics, makes one long for better times.”
“The soundtrack hits the feels, capturing the essence of skateboarding from my time.”
“A couple of songs are missing from the soundtrack, sadly.”
“The new music sucks.”
“These new songs just ruin the nostalgia a bit for me, I'm always skipping them until I find an original song.”
- gameplay172 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the remake of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 has been widely praised for its faithful recreation of the original mechanics while incorporating enhancements from later entries in the series, such as reverts and manuals. Players appreciate the smooth, addictive gameplay and nostalgic feel, complemented by updated graphics and a solid soundtrack. However, some critics note that certain mechanics can feel restrictive or less fluid compared to modern skateboarding games, which may affect the overall enjoyment for seasoned players.
“The skating mechanics are a perfect-feeling blend of those found in the original 1 and 2 and those which arrived in later entries that are difficult to imagine a modern THPS experience lacking.”
“The gameplay is so easy to pick up, yet difficult to master, and it just feels so satisfying to play.”
“It beautifully updates the visual appearance of the iconic 1st and 2nd THPS games while also brilliantly utilizing mechanics and such seen from the later games in the series.”
“- terrible level design (everything is spaced out all wrong, collectibles in weird heights etc.) combined with tweaks to the engine to make the movement more 'realistic' (why) results in sloppy gameplay with zero flow.”
“But if you're looking for more mechanical depth, play Underground 1 and 2 or THUG Pro.”
“The only problem is the grindy challenges which might be an obstacle for some completionists, but the gameplay and graphics are really well done.”
- graphics158 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received widespread praise for their stunning visual overhaul, effectively modernizing the nostalgic environments and character models while maintaining the essence of the originals. Many players appreciate the beautiful 4K visuals, dynamic lighting, and detailed textures, which enhance the overall experience, although some feel that the updated graphics can occasionally detract from gameplay clarity. Overall, the remaster successfully combines classic gameplay with impressive graphical enhancements, making it a visually appealing tribute to the beloved series.
“The graphics are beautiful in 4K and render scale maxed out.”
“The graphical enhancements make this classic absolutely still hold up as the best skateboard game.”
“Incredible graphics: the visual overhaul is nothing short of stunning.”
“Almost no graphics options.”
“I feel like the original graphics were less confusing as the way you ride was clearer, because there was no (good looking) rubbish on the floor.”
“Sometimes the framerate will drop to sub-30fps no matter what graphical settings I use.”
- stability28 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 36 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many users reporting a generally smooth performance and impressive visuals, particularly on the Steam Deck. However, there are notable issues, including connectivity problems, occasional crashes, and various glitches that can disrupt gameplay. While some players found the experience enjoyable despite these hiccups, others faced significant technical challenges that affected their overall satisfaction.
“The game looks great, runs great, feels both familiar and new.”
“Runs great on desktop, love the create-a-skater, tutorial's very well done to help you remember (or get used to it for the first time, if you're not a returning fan from way back when).”
“Looks great, runs great, multiplayer works perfectly.”
“I came here for nostalgia and am instead troubleshooting connectivity issues for a game I was going to play by myself.”
“There are some weird glitches, such as achievements not unlocking and crashes while connecting to multiplayer.”
“It freezes every 10 to 15 minutes for me.”
- story27 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a significant absence of a story mode in the latest Tony Hawk game, which many fans feel detracts from the overall experience. Players express nostalgia for previous titles like American Wasteland and Underground, which featured engaging narratives and character development, and they long for a return to a more story-driven format. Overall, the lack of a compelling story has left some players feeling unmotivated and wishing for a remaster of earlier games that included these elements.
“But I grew up on American Wasteland, the only game that bothered with a decent story, as corny as it was.”
“I hope someday another Tony Hawk story-progression game gets made.”
“Well, as you expect, there's no story.”
“The game also lacks some features that fans of the series might expect, such as a story mode or a create-a-trick mode.”
“Great for nostalgia but lacks the story of Tony Hawk Underground or Tony Hawk American Wasteland, so it might not be something you put many hours into.”
- grinding24 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely acknowledged as tedious, particularly the journey to level 100, which many players find excessively time-consuming. While some appreciate the nostalgic grind reminiscent of earlier titles, others feel that the grindy challenges and XP system detract from the overall experience. Despite the grind, players still find satisfaction in executing tricks and unlocking items, making it a mixed bag for those who enjoy mechanically intensive gameplay.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The achievements are all pretty easy, but the grind for level 100 is insanely tedious.”
“Once you beat the goals in the game, there's really nothing more to do except unlock stuff in a super grindy shop.”
“Moreover, it's too grindy.”
- optimization19 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with many users reporting smooth performance across various hardware setups, including older computers and the Steam Deck. While some minor technical issues and always-online DRM have been noted as potential drawbacks, the game generally runs well at high frame rates and utilizes system resources efficiently. Players appreciate the balance between modern graphics and faithful gameplay, contributing to a satisfying experience.
“The performance on deck is basically perfect once you hone in on the settings, and has so much content to pursue that I can see myself keeping this game installed for a long time.”
“It's really well optimized, using 99% of the GPU and barely taxing the CPU, so overall if you have a good PC setup, you should be able to actually play it as high as your monitor's refresh rate allows.”
“Steam Deck performance is top tier.”
“I do not like that it has always online DRM, and that's possibly where some of the performance loss I also noticed is coming from.”
“I wish the THPS 2X levels were included; I wish the blood effects were also in the game. There are some strange performance and audio issues on Steam Deck that I hope get resolved as well.”
“There are some minor technical issues and glitches that can affect the performance and visuals of the game.”
- replayability17 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The game boasts significant replayability, enhanced by a diverse roster of over 24 skaters, revamped park creation, and a variety of challenges and unlockables that encourage continued play. Players appreciate the addition of speedruns and leaderboards, which further enrich the experience, although some find the grind to level 100 daunting. Overall, the combination of modern graphics, multiplayer options, and engaging challenges contributes to a highly replayable experience reminiscent of classic titles.
“The classic mode looks and feels fresh and replayable with over 2 dozen skaters.”
“The new characters, secrets, and challenges that they added make the game infinitely replayable.”
“A ton of replayability even if you don't count multiplayer, due to the amount of skaters you can complete, the amount of challenges, as well as the speed run mode which is always stupid fun to play.”
“The challenges are fun to complete and give an incentive to keep playing. I was never a fan of the one-and-done classic game modes; I know some would argue they were replayable, but they weren't for me.”
“The addition of speedruns and leaderboards adds replayability, but also really lays bare the problems with some of the levels.”
“After 100% completion with all 24 characters, I still enjoy it like an original THPS game, so there is a lot of replay value.”
- monetization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, providing a refreshing experience in an industry often dominated by such practices. Players appreciate the presence of in-game purchases using in-game currency, which serve as incentives for completing challenges without detracting from the overall gameplay quality. This return to a more rewarding and unlockable system has rekindled players' passion for gaming.
“Gameplay was super rewarding, and thank god there are no microtransactions.”
“I like the idea of in-game purchases (with in-game currency, no microtransactions as far as I can tell) because it's a small, but effective incentive to complete the game's many challenges.”
“In a gaming period dominated by microtransactions, battle passes, and any other mechanic designed to squeeze every penny out of you, I have started to become disconnected with my gaming passion.”
“Just don't let this franchise die out again; it already has once. You have the chance to revive it, but will the microtransactions in Call of Duty distract you from creating quality video games yet again?”
“Forgot the feeling of a game that has unlockables without microtransactions; feels like I'm 9 again.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its vibrant and immersive levels, particularly the downtown area, which is enhanced by a nostalgic and complementary soundtrack. Players appreciate the attention to detail and the joyful, dreamlike quality of the music and presentation, creating an experience that consistently brings a smile.
“The soundtrack is a spectacle apart, featuring tracks from the classic games and adding more that complements the game's atmosphere.”
“They all have a real sense of atmosphere, and it’s impressive even to just skate around slowly taking in all of the little details.”
“Combine this beautiful dreamlike combination of genuine, joyous, and sweetly innocent music, presentation, and atmosphere, and you end up with an amazing experience that will put a smile on your face every single time you play.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting nostalgia for their childhood experiences with the original titles and the joy of revisiting them through the remaster. The soundtrack evokes happy memories, enhancing the overall emotional impact and making the gameplay feel rewarding and reminiscent of past gaming experiences.
“I guess it must have been around 22 years since I've last played THPS, so to see both of these games in one bundle, fully remade, made me feel like going down memory lane.”
“The soundtrack made me feel happy and remember growing up with them on the PS1.”
“If you have ever wanted to play these games and have wondered if the remaster is worth touching, it is a resounding yes.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by amusing loading screen tips, which add a lighthearted touch, while character designs, such as Tony's quirky appearance, contribute to the overall comedic tone.
“The loading screen tips are hilarious, so, uh, yay...?”
“Tony is a funny-looking dude.”
“Funny!”
- character development3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is seen as lacking, with custom character design and backstories for skaters described as underwhelming and uninspired. While the overall gameplay and graphics have improved, the character design elements, including deck and clothing options, fail to excite players.
“While the custom character design could use a lot of work, the rest of the game is as great as it was in its heyday, but with much improved graphics and features.”
“However, the character development and backstories of the skaters could make for an intriguing side story in a literary work.”
“This remake is a great thing, but I'm still missing some things... all the deck designs for the boards are so boring, and so are the labels for the clothes. The whole character design is quite disappointing.”