Key Highlights
- The legendary Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater franchise returns, bundling the classic third and fourth games into one remastered package.
- Experience a streamlined career mode that unifies both games under the classic 2-minute timer format, offering a pure, arcade-style challenge.
- This great game introduces three brand-new levels, new pro skater additions to the roster, and enhanced customization options.
- Jump into robust online multiplayer modes, including cross-platform play for up to eight players, and compete in new competitive events.
- While it’s a fantastic nostalgia trip, be prepared for some major changes, including a significantly altered soundtrack.
Introduction
Get ready to drop in all over again. The release of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is here, reigniting the legendary franchise for a new generation and pushing the nostalgia buttons for everyone who grew up in the early 2000s. Following the massive success of the 1 + 2 remake, this new collection is a full-blown nostalgia fest of grabs, grinds, and gravity-defying tricks. It packages the beloved third and fourth installments together, polishing them with modern graphics while preserving the core gameplay that made them icons.
Top Tips for Mastering Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4
Even if you were a pro skater back in the day, diving into this enhanced new game might feel like a “humiliating test of skill” at first. The muscle memory might be gone, but the thrill of landing that perfect combo is as rewarding as ever. This new game from developer Iron Galaxy isn’t just a simple port; it introduces new challenges and mechanics that even seasoned fans of Tony Hawk will need to learn.
To help you get back on the board and start shredding, you’ll need to adapt to the updated features. From perfecting your combos with new movement mechanics to exploring revamped levels for secrets, mastering this game is about embracing both the old and the new. Let’s look at some key tips to get you started.
1. Perfect Your Combo Chains and Manuals
The heart and soul of any Tony Hawk game is the combo. To become a top pro skater, you have to master linking your moves together. The key is to learn controls for the manual and the revert, which was first introduced in THPS3. These moves allow you to connect vert tricks with street lines, turning a simple run into massive combo chains.
The game’s smooth handling makes controlling your skater feel intuitive, but it takes practice to get the timing right. Don’t get discouraged if you bail a lot at first. Focus on building your skills gradually. As you get more comfortable, you can start attempting gnarlier tricks and longer lines. The feeling when it finally clicks and the combos start to flow is incredibly freeing.
Here are a few things to focus on:
- Use the revert immediately after landing a vert trick to transition into a manual.
- Keep your balance meter centered during manuals and grinds to extend your combo.
- Explore each level to find the best lines for continuous combo chains.
2. Take Advantage of New Tricks and Features
This remake is more than just a fresh coat of paint; it’s packed with new content. One of the most exciting additions is the inclusion of three brand-new parks: the self-explanatory Waterpark, the neon-drenched Pinball machine, and a mysterious Movie Studio. These new parks provide fresh playgrounds for you to explore and master.
The roster has also been updated with a mix of returning legends and new skaters, including fresh faces like Rayssa Leal and Zion Wright. You can also unlock a variety of unique outfits and secret moves to personalize your experience. The expanded Create-A-Park and Create-A-Skater modes offer even more ways to make the game your own.
Key new features include:
- Three new levels: Waterpark, Pinball, and Movie Studio offer unique environments.
- Expanded Roster: Play as original icons, skaters from the 1 + 2 remake, and brand-new pros.
- Enhanced Skitching: The ability to hang onto vehicles has been expanded, allowing you to combo into a skitch.
3. Explore Updated Levels for Hidden Secrets
Revisiting the classic locations is a huge part of the fun. The updated levels, from the industrial Foundry to the infamous Airport, look better than ever. However, while most original levels return, a couple are missing, notably Chicago and Carnival from THPS4. The Zoo level has also been changed into an abandoned, animal-free tournament map.
Despite these changes, the returning maps are filled with new challenges and hidden secrets to discover. The addition of tricks from THPS4, like the spine transfer, into THPS3 levels opens up new lines and possibilities. Unfortunately, the amazing soundtrack is not what you might remember. While some classics like “Ace of Spades” return, over 80% of the original tracks are missing, replaced by a slew of new songs.
When exploring the updated levels, remember:
- Most original levels from THPS3 and THPS4 are included in stunning HD.
- New movement mechanics like spine transfers can be used in THPS3 levels for the first time.
- Keep an ear out for the new soundtrack, as many original songs are absent.
4. Customize Your Skater and Board for Optimal Performance
Making your mark on the skating world is all about style, and this game gives you a ton of additional content to do just that. The skater customization suite allows you to create your own character and deck them out in unique outfits, from sweatshirts to caps. You can spend the currency you earn in-game to unlock new gear and boards.
The expanded Create-A-Park feature now includes the ability to add custom goals, NPCs, and even death pits, letting you design and share your own unique challenges with the community. For those who opt for the Digital Deluxe Edition, you can even shred as the Doom Slayer and get exclusive items like the Unmaykr hoverboard skate deck. This level of personalization lets you tailor the experience to your exact preferences.
Customization highlights include:
- An in-depth Create-A-Skater mode with a wide range of apparel and gear.
- The ability to create custom goals within your own created parks.
- Special cosmetic content like the Doom Slayer skater in the Digital Deluxe Edition.
How Enhanced Graphics and Gameplay Elevate the Experience
This enhanced new game leverages modern technology to deliver a visually stunning and incredibly fluid experience. Built using the Unreal Engine, the same engine behind the 1 + 2 remake, the game features massive visual upgrades that bring the classic levels to life in a way you’ve never seen before. The lighting is more dynamic, textures are crisp, and the environments feel more vibrant.
Beyond the graphics, the gameplay benefits from this modern engine with exceptionally smooth handling and robust performance, targeting 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. These technical improvements make pulling off complex tricks and navigating the detailed parks feel better than ever.
Visual Upgrades and Realistic Environments
The visual upgrades in this enhanced new game are immediately noticeable. Familiar environments feel completely new thanks to the power of the Unreal Engine 4. From the molten metal in the Foundry to the detailed cityscapes, every level is rendered with impressive modern lighting and high-resolution textures, creating more realistic environments. This remake is available on PC Game Pass from day one, allowing subscribers to jump right in. Note that an Activision account is required for online play.
These graphical enhancements don’t just make the game look better; they improve the entire experience. The clarity of 4K visuals and the smoothness of 60 FPS performance make it easier to spot lines, time tricks, and react to the environment. It’s a remarkable overhaul that respects the original art style while bringing it up to today’s standards.
|
Feature |
Original Games (THPS 3/4) |
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Remake |
|---|---|---|
|
Graphics Engine |
Era-specific proprietary engines |
Unreal Engine 4 |
|
Resolution/Framerate |
Standard Definition, variable framerate |
Up to 4K resolution, 60 FPS |
|
Level Detail |
Classic geometry and textures |
Remastered with modern lighting and high-definition textures |
|
New Environments |
N/A |
Three new levels: Waterpark, Pinball, Movie Studio |
Refined Controls and Movement Mechanics
The gameplay of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 feels better than ever thanks to refined controls and unified mechanics. The developer has ensured a consistent and smooth handling experience across both games in the package. Whether you’re playing levels from the third or fourth game, the move set remains the same, making it easy to learn controls and apply your skills everywhere.
This consistency is achieved by incorporating key moves across the entire experience. Tricks that were originally exclusive to later games are now available throughout. This means you can use moves from THPS4 in THPS3 levels, opening up new combo possibilities and making old parks feel fresh again. The game also offers various game modes to test your skills, from the classic career runs to free skate sessions.
Key control refinements include:
- The Revert, introduced in THPS3, remains essential for linking vert and street tricks.
- Spine Transfers, originally from THPS4, are now available in all parks across both games.
- Skitching has been enhanced to allow you to combo into it, not just end a combo with it.
Multiplayer Modes and Online Features
Ready to show off your skills to the world? Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 features a comprehensive suite of online multiplayer modes that let you compete against other players globally. You can gather your skate buddies and jump into lobbies with up to eight players, thanks to cross-platform support.
The online services are robust, offering a variety of competitive and casual game modes. Whether you want to climb the leaderboards in a high-score battle or just chill with friends in a free skate session, there’s something for every type of player. These features significantly expand the game’s replayability beyond the single-player career.
Compete in Online Matches and Leaderboards
The online multiplayer in this game is where the competitive action heats up. You can test your abilities against others in a variety of classic and new online matches. Familiar modes like Trick Attack, Graffiti, and Score Attack return, providing the perfect arena to prove you’re the best on the virtual half-pipe.
Published by Activision Publishing, the game also introduces two brand-new online modes, HAWK and Competitive, offering fresh ways to challenge others. With support for up to eight players in a lobby and cross-platform play, finding a match is quick and easy. Competing in these modes and posting high scores will get your name on the global leaderboards for all to see.
Online competitive modes include:
- Returning Classics: Trick Attack, Graffiti, Combo Mambo, and Score Attack.
- New Additions: HAWK and Competitive modes add new twists to the multiplayer experience.
- Cross-Platform Play: Compete with and against players on any console or PC.
Cooperative Play and Community Challenges
Beyond pure competition, the game offers plenty of ways to collaborate and get creative with your skate buddies. The classic couch co-op multiplayer modes like HORSE and Tag are back, perfect for some friendly rivalry with a friend on the same screen. These local modes are a staple of the series and a great way to enjoy the game with others.
The biggest evolution in cooperative play comes from the expanded Create-A-Park mode. You can now design your own levels and add custom goals, effectively creating unique community challenges for others to download and play. This feature, powered by the game’s online services, has massive promise for keeping the content fresh long after you’ve completed the main career.
Cooperative and community features include:
- Local multiplayer modes like HORSE and Tag for couch co-op fun.
- An evolved Create-A-Park mode that lets you build and share custom challenges.
- The ability to add NPCs, turbo pads, and unique objectives to your created parks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, mastering Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is all about honing your skills, exploring the expansive levels, and utilizing the enhanced features at your disposal. With practice, you’ll be able to perfect your combo chains, take advantage of new tricks, and discover hidden secrets that elevate your gameplay experience. The refined graphics and controls significantly enhance the thrill, while the multiplayer modes offer exciting opportunities to compete and collaborate with friends worldwide. So grab your controller, hit the skate park, and embrace the challenge—your skateboarding mastery awaits! If you want more tips and tricks, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC?
Yes, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is available on a wide range of platforms. The release date was July 11th for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. It is a compatible device for all modern systems and is also available to play on PC Game Pass.
Does the remake include all original levels and skaters?
The remake includes most, but not all, content from the original games. The Carnival and Chicago levels from THPS4 are missing. However, it compensates by adding three new levels and a roster of new skaters alongside the returning playable skaters. The expanded create modes offer even more content to explore.
What do critics and players say about the quality of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 as a remake?
According to reviews, critics and players agree that it’s a great game and a largely successful remake with timeless gameplay. However, many are disappointed by the decision to remove over 80% of the original amazing soundtrack and the significant changes made to the structure of THPS4‘s career mode.
