In a games industry now dominated by cinematic triple-a experiences like Red Dead Redemption 2, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 is refreshingly set on being fun and staying true to its source material, two things that the game nails almost flawlessly. This establishes Pro Skater as not only one of the best games of the year but the entire console generation.
It's been a long time since fans got a good Tony Hawk game, especially after 2015's Pro Skater 5 marked a new low for the franchise. If ever there was a time the world was in need of an arcade-style skateboarding game, it's now, and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 not only rises to the occasion, it exceeds expectations in every perceivable way.
The game is smooth. Skaters don't just move around the world, they flow - gliding across city streets and skateparks with some of the most finely tuned controls in recent memory. It's an impeccable experience, the only exception being bumping into walls in tight corridors, which can make things feel a bit choppy. That's rare, though, and while it's bound to be an occasional source of frustration, it's nowhere near enough to detract to the mountain of enjoyment garnered while drifting around.
That movement is cathartic, but it becomes pulse-pounding as players attempt to navigate and balance while chaining together combos across rails, half pipes, jumps, and any other of the numerous obstacles packed into Pro Skater. Watching combos steadily grow from tens-of-thousands to hundreds-of-thousands of points as players get better at the game is a unique form of untracked progression, one that pushes players to dive into the minutia of their favorite combos if they want to improve. Combined with Pro Skater's heavy emphasis on experimentation to complete challenges, players will constantly find themselves backtracking to previous levels to try and outdo themselves.
Each stage has been wonderfully recreated, remaining true to the originals, but adding new flair and environmental details to bring both games into 2020. From the very beginning in Pro Skater's Warehouse level and onward, there's a consistent level of care that speaks to developer Vicarious Visions' dedication to the franchise. Some of these are absolutely gorgeous, too, with magnificent lighting and colors selling a vibrant experience.
With Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 being an accurate remake of the originals, the stages that struggled back then still struggle now, most notably Downhill Jam, but there's a such a wide variety between the two games that even the most lackluster are easily avoided after unlocking the next stage. That process doesn't take too long, ensuring that none overstay their welcome too much.
Plus, all stages can be played in either single two-minute sessions or free skate, so those that don't care about challenges and the associated rewards can ignore them pretty much completely. There is, however, a feeling of accomplishment backed into crossing off tasks from the list that's compelling enough to keep players coming back for more, even if they routinely struggle to complete a specific task.
Pro Skater 2 does pack the better selection of levels, but that doesn't mean the first games' are bad. The second simply puts its iterative experience at the forefront, offering better locations to skate and score combos off of than what the first game is host to. There's no reason to not play through them all either, as personal favorites will vary wildly depending on how the player likes to chain together combos.
Of course, it wouldn't really be a Tony Hawk game without the custom skatepark creator, which adds greater depth to the experience. There's a wide variety of items for players to incorporate into their parks, ranging from rails to pools and beyond. The game also includes a custom park browser, so players have the freedom to try out ridiculous parks from around the world, almost like a diet Super Mario Maker.
There's a solid number of skaters to try out too, ranging from Tony Hawk himself to others like Nyjah Huston, each with special moves. Plus, there are other unlockable characters, like Jack Black's Officer Dick, that become available after players complete challenges, and there's always the option to create a custom skater.
Custom skaters have a wide range of customization options that keep them unique, with modern clothing options for the style-inclined, and the baggy shirts and Jnco Jean combos of the '90s also making an appearance. Skill points are scattered throughout the stages, letting players upgrade their custom skater's stats and fine-tune them to their playstyle. Plus, special tricks can be slotted in and out to further customize a player's skill set. All of this can be changed freely, giving players plenty of room to experiment with different styles and combos without having to invest in multiple skaters.
The only real problems with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 are more nitpicks than anything else, some of which are easily solved. Pro Skater's soundtrack, while stuffed with highlights from the '90s and some pleasant new additions, can get a little repetitive as the hours press on. Additionally, character models aren't amazing, but the action on screen is frequently fast-paced and sporadic enough that it easily distracts from that.
Even if the game would've been limited to the first Pro Skater, the remake would still well be worth it. It's a smooth experience packed with rich levels, energetic gameplay, and a ton of style. It doesn't dramatically reinvent the Tony Hawk formula, but it doesn't need to, nor should it. It's the definitive way to experience the core of the Tony Hawk franchise, elegantly surpassing what came before it, and setting a new bar for future entries in the process. For other contenders to the skating game throne, that bar will be incredibly difficult to exceed.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.