In 1997, Activision set off to create a sports franchise that would crush all others, and in 1998 did so with Tony Hawks Pro Skater (THPS). In the years since Activision’s conception the company has strove to create superior games. And when the group of guys known as Nevrsoft (Team Never-Ever Soft to be precise) came along. Well it was only natural that a great game and one of the most enduring sports franchises would be born. But in it's fourth (Technically fifth if you count 2X [X-BOX]) incarnation is Tony still fresh enough to capture gamer’s hearts (Or wallets) once more?

WHAT WAS GOOD:
Tony Hawk (THPS) has always had great control (One of the reasons why the game is so fun) and this version is no exception. This update has even more tweaks done to the control scheme, allowing for faster response time and smoother combos. The game handles well
(Especially on PS2) and just about anyone can pick it up (Unless you don’t have arms or hands) and master this game in a matter of days. It’s this kind of ease of play that has allowed such tremendous success with this particular series.
WHAT REALLY SUCKED:
With the more "Realistic" physics in place it is no longer as easy to pull off those 50,000-point tricks (Though I admit it wasn’t that easy to begin with). And while the PS2 version handles like a dream (Thanks to a functional D-Pad), those of us who played it on an X-BOX (Without the S-Type controller) or a Game Cube (D-Pad is about the size of a fingernail) had a more difficult time performing Tony and friends moves.
{OVERALL CONTROL = B}

WHAT WAS GOOD:
This version has the best set of tricks out of the four games. Moves are smoother thanks to the new motion-capture, and almost all the characters have new animations. The all-new "Land-Based tricks" allow for better linking of moves, and offers something different from the "Manual" (A pop-o-wheelie of sorts performed on the front or back two wheels). These allow for bigger scores and much cooler looking runs. The massive levels in THPS4 contain more ramps, jumps, rails, and just about anything else you can think of. Also you can trick off of everything (And I do mean everything, from cars to security guards), and with so many characters to choose from (Including more secret characters) it’s truly the longest THPS ever.
WHAT REALLY SUCKED:
With such huge levels (Oh they are huge) getting lost is almost a guarantee. And seeing as how you must find certain people in each level to tell you your missions (They are marked by a blue icon that floats over their heads), getting on to the next goal can get tiring when you can’t find all the people. And even though the response time is faster, THPS4 plays slower than it’s counterparts. This is due to the "Realistic" physics implemented in this-years release. Also, once again Tony Hawk plays nothing like the other skaters. So it can be a tad bit annoying when you have to go from one style of skating to a completely different one when completing the game.
{OVERALL GAME PLAY = B}

WHAT WAS GOOD:
Once again Neversoft’s prize product shines like polished gold. The new player models and increased polygon count has really allowed some impressive visuals. The well-designed levels in THPS4 also shine like the characters (Even if you get lost there is still a lot of places to goof around doing tricks for practice); they are both great looking and challenging. Plus the levels are loaded with activity, there isn’t a single area where there isn’t something going on (From collapsing bridges to a bum screaming about huge pink elephants [Voiced by the illustrious Emo Phillips]). There isn’t a dull moment.
WHAT REALLY SUCKED:
As in with all the THPS games there is a slight problem in the physical appearance of some skaters. While they are well modeled (With very little clipping) they don’t exactly look like the pros that they represent. Some skaters are more muscular or taller, or even have tattoos missing or added.
{OVERALL GRAPHICS = A}

WHAT WAS GOOD:
Much like the other THPS titles, this one has lots of re-play value (This time some comic relief was added in the form of a tour-guide you meet in the Alcatraz level). It takes literally weeks to complete every task with every character. And since it is so much fun you always want to play more. Plus if you get tired of the levels or characters available in the game you can always make your own. On top of all that Activision added in online support for the PS2 and X-BOX version (Sorry Game Cubers L), this means you can earn some bragging rights online to impress, and wow your friends with. It also means you can dance like a twit when you win a game of hoarse, and not get slapped for it (J).
WHAT REALLY SUCKED: This sequel offers nothing that is really new (Aside from the superficial, new levels and tricks etc…). And while I stuck it out through some of the more enraging missions and areas of the game, not everyone else has that much patience. Also some of THPS4 is just so damn hard its unbelievable.
{OVERALL REPLAY = B}

Seeing as how this is a sports title, I’m pretty sure there isn’t one. But if I had to say something on this subject it would have to be that everybody hates Ranger Bob (But no one more than the Tour-Guide at Alcatraz) and wants him to suffer and or die.
WHAT REALLY SUCKED: No resolution in the end because Ranger Bob never gets it?

{OVERALL STORY = N/A}

CONTROLS = B GAME PLAY = B GRAPHICS = A RE-PLAY = B STORY = N/A

Tony Hawks Pro Skater 4 definitely isn't "The same old game", but with little more than just a few tweaks (added moves and characters) it really isn’t anything new. You can take it or leave (I suggest "take it"); you can do a lot worse, but you would be hard pressed to do much better. -Kevin .B

I GIVE TONY HAWKS PRO SKATER 4: 4_ OUT OF 5