Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 (REVIEW)

Visually enhanced, retro inspired, and modernized for new player experience Activision's "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2" bundle aims to impress. Not only does it include crucial parts of the original releases in the form of memorable in-game content, skaters, and music, but it also adds some things from later entries. Namely Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5. Along with the old, and the new players get more than their money's worth even when putting down fifty dollars for the digital deluxe version. With the price on point, and the fun to be had this remastering of the older greats could very well revitalize interest in the franchise, and steer it back on course to where it should always be.

Coming from a somewhat biased and favorable point of view, having grown up playing and greatly enjoying the first two entries in the series, I can't help but fan boy a little over this bundle. Loading up the game on my PS4, and watching the game in all it's polished glory had me thrilled once again to get busy grinding that familiar grind. Though a bit rusty at first, and fumbling around like a toddler trying to peddle his first tricycle I was eventually able to get readjusted to the gameplay mechanics. Learning once again that SQUARE is for flip tricks, TRIANGLE for lip tricks and rail grinding, and CIRCLE for grab tricks. Let me not forget UP+DOWN for manuals, and TRIANGLE for wall riding. Most of you will know of what I speak. 

Past the tutorial which discloses all the above, and into the actual gameplay loop I found familiar locations, skaters, objectives, and songs from two games that were the highlight of a bygone era. With songs from noteworthy artists such as Powerman 5000, and Bad Religion rocking in the background as I pulled off wicked stunts I found that lost rush I had known so well so many years ago. I also found a new skate apparel, and skateboard unlock menu that used in-game currency earned for completing challenges. That, and the return of the character point system which allows the player to customize their favorite skaters through stats related to performance, and balance. Things of that sort. 

Speaking of character points and characters/skaters there are some old, and new additions to choose from. Returning to the mix of playable park goers is the original old school lot including Tony Hawk, Bob Burnquist, Erik Koston, Geoff Rowley along with newcomers like Aori Nishimura, Lizzie Armento, and Leo Baker. Just to name a few. Old unlocks like Officer Dick also returning alongside an alien grey, and the DLC exclusive skeletal skater Rippy. With upwards of 15 characters in total to play as on the iconic collection of skate parks such as Warehouse, Hangar, and Roswell. Locations where nabbing secret tapes, spelling SKATE, and doing park specific grinds will allow you to unlock bonus content for you to play through, and enjoy. An undertaking which will also bank you medals for feats of prowess. Just know that some parks are competitive with medals as rewards, and others goal oriented with a list of objectives to complete. Both types doubling down on rewards with park unlocks including a couple of secret locations.

Along with these skating tours in the guise of leaderboard inclusive ranked, and free skate comes a competitive multiplayer that incorporates both local, and online play. Giving players a handful of matchmaking options, and modes to choose from. Choosing from Quick Playlist, Jams, or Competitive you will be able to not only get in on the action with a specific number of players, but will also choose the nature of the competition. With playlists like Jams being more casual oriented, and Competitive being more serious you'll have a choice as to how competitive you want to be. 

Within the multiplayer, beyond the matchmaking selections, you'll find six online modes and two local only modes of play. With online you can go for Free Skate, Score Challenge, Combo Challenge, Trick Attack, Combo Mambo, and Graffiti. Free Skate is as it sounds where as Score Challenge, and Combo Challenge require a set score to be met by one of the players for winning sake. Trick Attack, and Combo Mambo on the other hand are timed variations of the former modes requiring key feats done to a timer for the win. Lastly Graffiti is a tag mode where players that tag surfaces will change the color of those areas depending on score achieved when tagged. There is a time limit, and players can tag over other players color tags earning them the points needed to win. In local multiplayer you'll find that Tag, and HORSE are your mode choices. Tag is as it sounds. One player will be it, and can only not be it by tagging another player. In regards to HORSE it basically follows the Basketball rules. A player will perform a combo, and the next player up will have to outperform that combo or they will earn a letter from the word HORSE. When a player Spells out HORSE in full they are eliminated, and the last one left not having fully spelled HORSE wins.

Customization ...

Customization in THPS1+2 is twofold in that you can customize your created parks in CREATE-A-PARK mode or even your own original/non-original skaters. By performing challenges that are a lot like Call of Duty's daily, and weekly challenges you will earn XP as well as cash that can be spent in the in-game store on things like tattoos, apparel, logos, skate decks, banners, and even skate park props. This extends the game's grind beyond the main goals, and medal awarding parks/tours. Allowing the player to customize their THPS1+2 experience to their liking. The CREATE-A-PARK editor alone returns as it was in THPS5 with the ability to create, and decorate a blank park with all the ramps, rails, half-pipes, and other trick worthy additions. You can even upload it for others to play, and rate. Making this two game bundle the ultimate addition to the THPS franchise!

The Verdict ...

This bundle is everything I hoped it would be, and then some. It not only does the originals justice by polishing up what they were visually, but it also brings in new content that builds upon that legacy. I'm actually surprised the deluxe edition didn't go full retail given what you get. This truly is a bargain even at launch, and for what it's worth I was sincerely not disappointed. I know some reviewers pointed out loading times as being problematic, but once you get it in it's not all that bad. Definitely not game breaking. If you haven't already I'd suggest getting this game. Old or new the game is something that has most certainly withstood the test of time.