Tony Hawk is flying high...again! (Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 (GC))

Member Name: CDouch

Product:	Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 (GC)
Date:	30/01/02 (84 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots of characters, Lots of levels, Online gaming

Disadvantages: Cant play with 4 players unless you go online, its too adictive (or is that a good thing)

The Hawk is flying again, this time he has set up nest in the comfortable world of Playstation 2.
Tony Hawk was born on May 12th, 1968, in sunny San Dieago, California. Since then he's been skateboarding, and has achieved a huge number of amazing things, He owned his first house before he left high school, he is the only person ever to perform the 900, and has several skateboarding and clothing businesses. But his biggest stunt to date is when he signed his name on the dotted line, to game stardom. Together Neversoft and Activision created the amazing Tony hawks game that mixed great visuals, with even greater gameplay. They made one of the most addictive games since Tetris. Then there was Tony hawk's 2, and now there are three.

The Playstation is already known world wide for its incredible graphics, smooth frame rates and fantastic gameplay. It has a number of great games already on the shelves, GT3, Silent hill 2, Jak and Daxter, GTA3, WWF smackdown and now Tony hawk has settled into the top with them.

The idea behind Tony hawk is simple, you skate around a wide variety of huge levels, performing tricks and completing tasks. Simple. The tasks are of a mixed variety, some challenge you to collect letters (w-e-h-a-v-e-n-t-s-e-e-n-t-h-a-t-b-e-f-o-r-e) others ask you to collect things or destroy things etc. You travel all around the world, from the busy streets of LA, to the frozen over Canada. From Tokyo to suburbia. Each location offers a unique range of obstacles to help you, or get in your way.

Tony isn’t in it on his own, he's brought along his homies, his possie, his crew, his boys (and girls)...um ok I will stop there. Skate as one of 12 characters, some who you may recognise from previous skating outings. Viewers of MTV's Jackass, may recognise one of the skaters (apart from Tony hawk) Bam Margera, is there to help out with a kick flip here and there. There's also a very long roster of secret charact
ers, who I wont give away, but I will give you some clues. One is from star wars; another from a marvel comic and another is a surfer. There are two styles of boarders, vert and street, to the un-trained eye you couldn’t tell them apart, but in the career mode, some missions will vary depending on your dudes style.

The graphics are as sharp as can be, and run at a smooth, fast frame rate. Which we have come to expect from the hawkster over the previous few years. The sound is so great, it has been called the greatest game soundtrack...ever! Featuring vocals from alien ant farm, red hot chillie peppers, xzibit and some others who you probably have probably never heard of. Famous or not famous every song is brilliant, and really gets you pumped and into the mood for skating.

Did I mention that you could create your own skater and build your own park? No, then let me explain. A bit like the kind of thing we have seen on WWF games, you pick the parts, edit the details and you have your own, high flying, kickfliping machine. Then there’s the park editor, choose the ramps, the rails and everything else you could possibly imagine (lava? oh yes that’s there) put them all together and you have a park, now all you have to do is give it a name. 2-player mode is great with a number of modes including horse (don’t ask) king of the hill, graffiti, trick attack or just plain free skate.
There are also online capabilities, which would be great, if only the PS2 modem wasn’t coming out until April of 2002. But when it’s all up and running, you can play in online skate parks against anyone, in the world. As long as they have a PS2, Tony hawk 3, and a modem.

Graphics: 9
Gameplay: 10
Sound: 10
Lastability: 10

This is a great, must have, gaming masterpiece. That will appeal to skaters and non-skaters alike. If you like a good game, you will enjoy this skate fest, that really is fun to the last
grind. With so many options, you and your PS2 will be buzzing for ages.

Buy this game, and I will see you in a year or two, when you’re finished.
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So as you can see I like this game a lot, and strongly suggest that you check it out. I dont skate and I like it, so chances are you will too.

If you have played any of the previous THPS games on any other format, you will know what to expect. Great gameplay, graphics and sounds.

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