Fly Like a Bird (Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 (GC))

Member Name: blink me

Product:	Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 (GC)
Date:	28/02/02 (506 review reads)
Rating:

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[:Intro:]
Having been crowned the greatest skater in the world at only 15, Tony Hawk has become something of an icon in the skating world.....he has invented literally hundreds of tricks, and he is fabled as the only skateboarder to ever land the much vaunted 900. So it was only a matter of time before someone decided to make a game about him.....and that 1 game has turned into 3!!!
For a game to get a 2nd sequel (making it a third in a set) then you know that it can't be all that bad....in fact it must be pretty good right? Well, the first game, was brilliant, and the "sequel" beat all expectations....so this game really had a lot to live up too.....and, well basically...it did!!! Although the Playstation 1 version was a bit more basic then the PS2 version, they both still kick ass!!!

[:Characters:]
Not copletely content with the THPS2 roster (and after all, if it was completely the same, people wouldn't like it), for the third installment, Bob Burnquist was dropped, and Bam Margera (yes, Bam Margera of Jackass fame) was added, onto the "team". But of course, old favourites like Tony Hawks (Well DUH, it IS his game!) and Steve 'The Cab' Caballero (who was added to the roster in THPS2), not forgetting the first, and only female skater on any of the games, Elissa Steamer (she was on the original roster). And of course Britains own, Geoof Rowley, has retained his place....it's that liverpool charm...it has to be right?!?!?! So really, ab it of an old/new mix...but a great lineup nonetheless!!!

And of course, their is plenty of "secret Characters" to unlock!! these include Private Carrera (a glitch in the original game, and a secret character in the second), Officer Dick (from the original roster as a secret character), The X-Men's Wolverine (making his debut appearance!), darth Maul (also making his debut apperance....i wonder how much these guys are paying George Lucas?!?), and the Ne
versoft logo (the eyeball) on a body....and that's not all...there is also a HOBO!, and The She-Devil!!!

[:Gameplay:]
Well, i couldn't review this amazing game without giving you my thoughts on the graphics...And i am going to have to point out, that 2 different versions of this have come out (PS1, and PS2).....
[PS1]
This version has slightly more "basic" graphics, with the pause menus being a notable change....they are just basic, whereas the PS2 menus are more decorated, and graphically enhanced......and the characters look slightly less rounded....although not all THAT much......it isn't really any wonder either....the PS1 doesn't have anywhere near as much space to work with, as the PS2.......although, you can wuite easily tell that the makers have REALLy pushed the PS1 to it's limits, when making this!!
[PS2]
Well abviously, this version loks much more smoother!! The characters are almost perfectly rounded, and they move through the air, almost like real people!! the surroundings are also much improved, in the graphics department....they are much more realistic......No more square ledges,and pointy rails!! they are completely smooth! with wind moving bits or rubbish down the street, and people dodging you on the sidewalk!!!

[:Levels:]
The great thing about THPS3, is the new look levels. 4 times the size of the largest level in THPS2, they are absolutely amazing....but if they are 4 times as big, then perhaps the cars going by, and the people interacting can't be all that good right? Wrong!! The vechiles move with the precision of the real thing, and the people look as real as you and i......and they even try to dodge you when you skate by......

Not only is the levels 4 times as large....they are also FULLY interactive....just like the real thing......from the wind blowing down the street, to the rising skyscrapers up above you, they are all LIFE-LIKE!!! And other skaters are a
round too, just to add to the realism!!!

[:The Sub-Plots:]
The sub-plots in THPS are also amazing.....one of the wierdest has to be the game where a foolish skater has gotten his tongue stuck to a lampost in the freezing cold, and it is your job to get him unstuck, without hurting him too much!!! And when you do a certain thing (i don't remember what) you unlock a special sub-level....a Haunted House!!! WOW!! There is much more sub-plots/levels on the game, and i don't want to spoil them for you, so i will leave it there!!

[:Tricks:]
Although there isn't much new tricks here, there IS some links.....like the Revert...which is kind of like a manual when you come down on a half-pipe, so you can keep that extra high score going!!!

[:Outro:]
Well, if you read all that, then you will know the basics of the game, and what i think of it! so really there isn't much more to say...excpet go buy this game!!!! You know You'll Enjoy it!!!

[:P.S:]
Another great thing about this game, is hte soundtrack....although it doesnt feature such greats as LAgwagon THPS2) or Goldfinger (THPS1), there is definitely some great tunes in here, coming from the likes of AFI (A Fire Inside) and Alien Ant Farm, to give thei game a definite punk/metal feel to it.

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