Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD (2012)
Once this game was being sold for $3, and being delisted on Steam, I decided to give it a shot. I’ve heard nothing but negative stuff about it for years, since it came out, but after I recently decided to replay the originals, I figured it wouldn’t be too hard to complete and I can add it to my list of games I’ve beaten. I went in with pretty low expectations and found that they were pretty much met. The game’s physics seem off in a way that is hard to describe, but since this was $3 I didn’t really mind all that much. The game is compromised by levels from the first two games and they even have a $5 DLC pack that adds 3 levels from the third game. It was a fun hour and a half of gameplay and the only two frustrating parts that I found were trying to find out some of the objectives and where they are placed. Finding “4 VB transfer gaps” in Venice Beach is pretty hard when you are given two mins to explore and have no idea where they are. That, and also the physics are broken, some ollies work some will send you off into ragdoll effects where it takes several seconds to reset your skater. It’s frustrating when you are in a combo, and suddenly fall for no reason other than the physics broke. The game can be and is enjoyable for the most part though, finally hearing all of Superman because the tracks don’t end as soon as you end your run is great, the updated graphics and lighting effects really add to the overall enjoyment of the game. If you like the Pro Skater series, it’s worth a playthrough but be prepared for some random fails when comboing and try and learn the levels in free skate mode if you want, it’ll only help you.
Editor’s Note: On a 5 star system, I’d rank this at 3.5 stars. It’s a bit above mediocre, and I had fun,but I don’t really see myself going back to it, unless I want to 100% it. I finished it with Rodney Mullen, upgraded stats fully, 100% a few levels and got most of the goals for all other levels.