
Remember that feeling, kids? Slamming down your controller after a gnarly 900-degree spin, the virtual roar of the crowd echoing in your ears? Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 attempts to recapture that magic, inviting players back into the world of vert ramps, concrete jungles, and death-defying tricks.
While THPS 5 isn’t a carbon copy of its predecessors – nostalgia is best served with a sprinkle of innovation, after all – it still adheres to the core gameplay loop that made the franchise iconic: choose your skater, pick your level, and shred!
A Familiar Formula with Fresh Faces
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 introduces a new generation of skaters alongside familiar faces like Tony Hawk himself. You can customize your own character or select from a roster featuring pro skaters like Lizzie Armanto, Riley Hawk (Tony’s son!), and the legendary Nyjah Huston. The game features eight unique levels, each bursting with challenges and hidden secrets. From the bustling streets of Los Angeles to the gritty industrial wasteland, each environment offers its own flavor and flow for grinding and trick-landing shenanigans.
The gameplay mechanics will feel instantly familiar to veterans. You’ll be pulling off ollies, kickflips, grinds, and manuals in no time. However, THPS 5 throws a few new tricks into the mix – literally! The “Special Trick” mechanic allows for truly outlandish maneuvers, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on a skateboard (in the virtual world, at least).
Beyond Tricks: Goals, Challenges, and Multiplayer Mayhem
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 isn’t just about mindlessly landing tricks. The game offers a variety of objectives to keep things fresh and engaging. These can range from simply racking up points within a time limit to completing specific combos or finding hidden objects scattered throughout the levels.
Objective Type | Description |
---|---|
Point Challenges | Accumulate a set number of points within a given timeframe. |
Combo Challenges | Execute a series of tricks in a specific order or sequence. |
Exploration Challenges | Discover hidden areas, collectibles, and secrets scattered throughout the levels. |
Multiplayer mode is where the real fun begins. THPS 5 allows for online and local multiplayer battles, pitting skaters against each other in various game modes like:
- Free Skate: The classic sandbox mode where players can roam freely and attempt tricks at their leisure.
- Trick Battles: Players compete to score the highest points by pulling off impressive combos.
- Team Deathmatch: A chaotic mode where two teams battle it out using skateboards as weapons, knocking opponents off their boards.
Riding the Waves of Controversy: A Mixed Bag
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 wasn’t met with universal acclaim upon its release. Critics and players alike pointed to technical issues such as inconsistent frame rates and occasionally frustrating controls. While these issues have been addressed through patches, they did initially cast a shadow over the game’s launch.
Despite the initial hiccups, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 retains its core appeal – it’s a fun and challenging skateboarding experience that captures the spirit of the franchise. However, some argue that the game doesn’t quite live up to the legacy of its predecessors.
Should You Drop In?
Whether or not Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 is worth your time depends on your expectations. If you’re looking for a perfect nostalgia trip with cutting-edge graphics and flawless gameplay, you might be slightly disappointed. But if you crave the simple joy of shredding virtual concrete, pulling off insane tricks, and competing against friends (or strangers online), then THPS 5 is definitely worth checking out.
Just remember to pack your virtual knee pads.