Amazon.co.uk Review
When you are creating the sequel to what many felt was 1999's game of the year, there is a lot of pressure to outdo your past glory. The guys at Neversoft, makers of
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, appear up for the challenge, although much of this title has yet to be unveiled.
For starters, people who have mastered Tony Hawk's Pro Skater will be able to take their skills to a new level. A new trick called a manual allows players to balance on the forward or rear trucks of the skateboard. Manuals bridge other already-established moves and combos, making it possible to rack bigger scores than ever before and therefore adding a whole new level of challenge for veteran players.
In the original game, an open space between rails, bowls, cars, or ramps provided a small breather and a chance to survey your surroundings. This time you will be encouraged to manual between such spots, thereby increasing your point total. But the manual isn't an automatic movement; it requires balance and dexterity. Therefore, you'll have less time to take in your next opportunity and will be much more likely to miss it the first time through.
Overall, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 serves up extra helpings of some very nice goodies. Better characters, and more of them: The original models look sick compared to the larger skaters and better textures of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2. There are also new playable characters: Steve Caballero, Eric Koston, and Rodney Mullen have been added to the cast.
More tricks to play with such as Lip tricks now include awesome new handplants, rock 'n' rolls, and stalls. As it should be in a game (and sport) that has more and more "star power", signature riders now have more of their signature moves. Add in the aforementioned manual and you've pretty much got it all.
More locations with new scenes are carved out of New York, the Skatestreet in Ventura, California, as well as updated locales in Miami and Philadelphia. There is a total of eight--all big, all bold. And you are not even tied down to the good ol' US of A. What would you say to grinding through the streets of France?
There is more music including Anthrax's version of Public Enemy's Bring the Noise, but Activision's efforts don't end there. Even with all the goods this game has, it would be a supreme letdown to freeze out the top music tracks.
The park creator is back in the new game, and Neversoft has also added a create-a-player feature so you can enhance the existing pros, turning them into new skaters. Also, a new customisation system lets you skate to earn enough money for new duds and accessories. Features like this, added to what returns from last year, make Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 a must-have for anybody on the planet. --Todd Mowatt
Product Description
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 is the sequel to the best-selling and highly acclaimed
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. The original title sported easy controls, solid gameplay mechanics and awesome visuals. These elements remain, while the designers spent their time adding hundreds of new tricks, slightly tweaking the core gameplay, and creating both a character and a 3-D skate park editor. Players can create the skate park of their dreams, choosing a theme and placing steps, ramps, half-pipes, pools and rails to create the run of their dreams. After completing the finishing touches, you can put your park on the Internet for all to admire. Then, you can create your own character to skate your custom park. Name, age, height, weight, style, stance, trick set and skateboard can all be personalised.
Alternatively, players can choose a character from a number of professional skaters, including Tony Hawk, Chad Muska, Kareem Campbell, Andrew Reynolds and Jamie Thomas. Skaters will gain more skills as you progress. There are several skate parks to choose from, including Marseilles, Manhattan and Skate Street Ventura. In the core game, players perform tricks to gain money to purchase new skating abilities, tricks or boards. Another mode is free skating, plus there are several multiplayer scenarios. One is an eight-person judged competition, while another is HORSE (feel free to choose any letters you'd like). Other modes are tag, trick-attack and graffiti.
