Is this next gen incarnation lucky number seven for Neversoft???
The main game follows you as a player made character who basically ditches their previous life to move to LA and become a skate board pro like all your childhood heroes. However upon arrival you get beat up by a couple of thugs and lose all your possesion meaning you have to start from scratch. Luckily you meet a friendly local, Mindy who shows you the ropes and before long your on your way to becoming a pro skater. One of the main themes in the game is collecting pieces from around the city to add to your own park but its a little linear and becomes wearsome after a while. One of the big marketing ploys behind this game was the whole no loading times business. Its true that there are no loading times between the areas but instead you must travel through a boring un-detailed tunnel/corridor which takes a good 30 secs to get between the areas. Its really a bit of a scam.
Anyways lets look at the gameplay. Anyone whos played the previous hawks game should feel right at home. I'm not gonna bother going over the basics because about 99% of gamers have probably played a TH game somewhere along the line. But theres still spinning, grabbing, flipping, lipping, grinding, manualling, run, climbing, wallriding, focusing, specialling, natas..ing and of course bailing and then freaking out. I actually really like the freaking out feature because its a really good form of stress relief, smashing that Y button. Aside from all the other stuff there is now parkour moves which are just standing flips. There are also proper flips in spins (aka back and front flips/rolls). The focus mode returns which is bullet time to everyone who hasn't played THUG 2. Uhmm apart from that there are a few new grinds and specials but thats it.
Aside from the short main story there is also the classic mode which allows the player to play through 6 old and new levels doing things like High score and SKATE collecting, but its too easy that it'll last you possibly 3 hours. The multiplayer is also still the same including favourites such as trick attack, tag, graffiti and HORSE. You can also go on XBOX LIVE and play across the globe if you want, but some people are really good. I saw a guy get 34 million in trick attack...he won that one. uhh apart from that you can gaps on all the levels but that take time but is fun...well i thought it was.
The game is the firts next gen TH so i bet your expecting some smooth graphics and nice detail...ha not a chance. the models are slightly smoother but it just means you can see the folds in the character models. Aside from that your paying out £20 more or $25 more for a blatent PS and XBOX port. The Music is good however with a nice mix of genre however much of it is punk. Some songs aren't that good (c'mon a song called 'I like Dirt' just can't be good) but it doesn't matter. The character voices are fine, just standard ones, nought great.
Lifespan. the stroy mode and Calssic modes could take up a good 10 hours if your quick. Multiplayer may hold hold your attention for a few more hours but it becomes repetitive quickly. So unless you want to play through stroy again or collect all the gaps thats it.
Problems...collision detection is off.
The controls are flimsy
There aren't enough charcter modifications...you either look stupid or boring.
Its the most unrealistic game ever.
The cut scenes are lame.
Its a fun game but you've seen it all before and its lame for a next gen console. Get real Neversoft and actually try and be original and put a bit more effort in.