one of the most playable and fun games out there (Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 (GC))

Member Name: clunkified

Product:	Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 (GC)
Date:	06/02/02 (48 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: limitless replayability, online play, addictive as hell

Disadvantages: repetitive music (can be shut off though)

Tony Hawk 3 for the PS2 is absolutely brilliant.

Let's start with the graphics. Graphically, the game is top notch and probably has some of the best graphics I've seen for the PS2. Rendering is super fast (which lends well to the fast pace of the game) and the character modeling and articulation are excellent. Additionally, the levels are well put together. Creative and unexpected levels with endless surfaces to skate make you want to play more and more. Overall, a graphically pleasing experience.

The gameplay is fast and furious. Grinding and manualing are the keys to linking all your tricks together to score huge points on 20 and 30 trick combos. I must say the learning curve on mastering combos was steep for me, but veterans of the Tony Hawk genre will have no problem in THPS3. A ton of tricks to pull-off and learn and a bunch of hidden moves per character render this game absolutely limitless.

A great asset to this game is the number of real world skaters and the ability to create your own character. The gameplay changes per character so once you finish with one character, you can go back w/ another and have a different experience. The level of customization per character is impressive as well. From aviator sunglasses to tattoos, you can make your dude look however you want.

The music and sound in this game is great as well. I am not into a lot of the "pop-punk" music, but any game with the Ramones' "Blitzkreig Bop" gets points with me. I'm sure for skating audience, the soundtrack is nothing less than dead on. The music does get repetetive after tricking for 5 hours straight, but you can always turn it off.

There is so much to this game and I only feel like I've scraped the tip of the iceberg. I've been so engrossed in the single player mode, I have yet to play with the park editor or messed with the online game play!

I can't wait to try both. An absolutely
brilliant game. 10 out of 10.

Summary: