Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 is a remake of the classics released in the early 2000s. While the sense of novelty is somewhat diminished due to the successful 1+2 Remake just five years ago, the nostalgia remains strong. Reliving two of the franchise’s best titles with modern visuals and a smooth 60FPS performance is nothing short of phenomenal.
The core gameplay remains intact: you choose a skater, drop into a map, and perform tricks within a two-minute time limit to rack up points. In addition, there are challenges and collectibles to keep things engaging.
All original maps return, with the exception of two extra levels from the fourth game, which have been replaced by three brand-new maps that are superior in both design and visual appeal. If you played the previous remake, you’ll recognize the custom skater feature, which is back though with some drawbacks. The clothing options are fairly generic, replacing iconic brands with less recognizable ones, which takes away from the authenticity. The soundtrack, a key part of the franchise’s identity, also takes a hit: only 10 original tracks are included, while the rest are newer songs from the same or modern bands. While disappointing, it’s understandable due to music licensing issues that can affect the game’s future availability.
The most noticeable change comes with Pro Skater 4. The original story mode, where you interacted with skaters to receive missions, has been removed in favor of the classic level structure from earlier games. This may upset purists, but the missions themselves are still there—only the introductory dialogue is gone.
Some objectives have been altered like the zoo map no longer featuring animals or key hunts being replaced by more complex challenges but the spirit remains.
A standout feature is the updated character models, which now reflect the current age of the veteran skaters. New, popular skaters have also been added, expanding the roster for a modern audience. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 is a solid remake that captures the essence of the originals while blending it with modern music and skaters, ushering in a new era of players. The changes to THPS4 may sound drastic to longtime fans, but for most, they don’t significantly detract from what remains a highly enjoyable, addictive, and entertaining experience.
Final Score: 4/5
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