Tony Hawks Underground
An ollie in the right direction!
Let me start this review of T.H.U.G. by praising the developers Neversoft.They have once again managed to bring us another great Tony Hawks game,the fifth one in fact, but in the process,lost the cherished 'Pro Skater ' title and opted for a more street friendly title,if there is such a thing as street friendly!How they can bring out skate board game after another,without losing any of their charm is beyond me,but I suppose thats why I'm a video games reviewer and not a developer.But I'm free If you want me Neversoft!
Lets first start with the graphics,and this is one of the best features of the game.They first appear dull and nothing your beloved Gamecube can't handle,untill you actually skate,and yes run,right up to them.Panning the camra around reveals outstanding detail and silky smooth textures.This all adds to the realism of the Hawkster game.
Speaking of walking though,this is the best new feature of the latest skating game on the market.But this feature Isn't just thrown in there for no reason.It allows you to walk around places you couldn't dream of skating on,like stair sets or thin ledges.You can even jump off your board mid-combo search for a decent 'line' to skate on,then jump back onto your board and end the combo,hopfully racking up a 'sick' score.Sorry for all these skating phrases but I'm reviewing a skating game and couldn't resist.
Climbing is also a big new skill that all the skaters,including your own custom characters, have suddenly managed to learn,as you can shimmy up anything from ladders to drain pipes.There is the ever unuseful wall jump trick,which involves jumping against a wall,and kicking off it with your feet.Come on Neversoft,new moves doesn't always mean good moves!
Finally we come onto the story mode.Yes you heard correctly.You can now create a skater(which by the way,Is as good as It's always been, but nothing new) and guide them through a story which involves turning you from a no-name skate thug,into a boarding guru.My only gripe of this great game is the longevity of It.A normal or hardcore gamer could easily finish this in under five days,but for the dreaded casual gamer,this will eat up most of your time.These are only minor mistakes in a game that deserves all your hard earned cash.Even If you own past Hawkster games,you must at least play this one.
By Ben Griffin
92%
The lifespan of the story mode could be longer,but other modes will keep you coming back.
The create-a-skater hasn't recieved any new features.
The actual skating is near perfect.
Being able to walk adds a new dimension to the gameplay.
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