Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 is a skateboarding video game developed by Vicarious Visions and published by Activision, released on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on September 4, 2020. It is a remaster of the first two games in the Tony Hawk's series: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (1999) and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (2000) which were originally developed by Neversoft. It is the first major game in the series since Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5 (2015). This is noted to be Vicarious Visions' final work as a subsidiary of Activision before being merged into Blizzard Entertainment in January 2021.[2]

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2
Developer(s)Vicarious Visions[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)Activision
Producer(s)Barry Morales
Designer(s)Leo Zuniga
Devin Knudsen
Programmer(s)Thomas Gwarys
Artist(s)John Paul Rhinemiller
John Dobbie
SeriesTony Hawk's
EngineUnreal Engine 4
Platform(s)
ReleaseSeptember 4, 2020
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 received generally favorable reviews from critics. The game has become the fastest selling game in the franchise, selling 1 million copies within the first two weeks.

Gameplay
See also: Tony Hawk's (series) § Gameplay

The game is a skateboarding video game played in a third-person view with its gameplay oriented towards classic arcade games. As such, the goal of most modes of the game is to achieve a high score or collect certain objects. The player must complete objectives to unlock levels to progress through the game. To score points, the player has to successfully perform and combine aerials, flips, grinds, lips, and manuals, with successful executions adding to the player's score. The point value of the trick is based on time maintained, degrees rotated, number of tricks performed in sequence, performing tricks on specific landmarks on the map, and the number of times the tricks have been used. Successful tricks also add to the player's special meter, which, once full, allows for the execution of special tricks which are worth a great deal more than normal tricks. Bails (falling off the skateboard due to poor landing) cause no points to be awarded for the attempted trick sequence and reset the special bar to empty.

Even though the game is just a remake of the first two entries, Pro Skater 1 + 2 features tricks introduced in later games up to Tony Hawk's Underground such as reverts, spine transfers, wall plants, as well as the abilities to perform enhanced tricks such as double flips and to switch between certain trick types such as grinds, lips and manuals in one sequence.[3] However, it is possible to set the controls back to only featuring manoveurs possible in the original games.[4] The player can also create their own skater and skate park with the Create-A-Skater and Create-A-Park modes. The game also includes both local split screen and online multiplayer.[5] Furthermore, the game offers a progression system which allows players to complete specific challenges to reach a higher level and thus unlock new items in the game's store.[6]

The game features a total of 21 professional skateboarders, as well as three original characters. All of the pro skateboarders from the first two games have returned on the remaster, appearing as their current age,[7] even though the "Digital Deluxe Edition" offers 1980s-skins for some skaters.[8] The remaster includes several new and younger pro skateboarders; some of which, such as Nyjah Huston, Riley Hawk, and Lizzie Armanto, had already appeared in the later Tony Hawk games.[9] When putting together the roster, specific attention was paid to represent ethnic and gender diversity, leading to the inclusion of transgender skater Leo Baker, as well as several other skaters of different ethnicities and sexual orientation.[10] Jack Black provides his likeness and voice as "Officer Dick", a playable secret character who was also in the original games.[11] Additional secret characters include an alien as well as the skeleton Ripper, the mascot of Powell Peralta.[12] However, Pro Skater 2's original secret character, Spider-Man, did not return due to licensing issues.[13] Skaters in bold are new to the series, while skaters in italics originally featured in different games of the series.

Featured pro skaters Celebrity guest skaters

Notes

^a unlockable ^b Digital Deluxe Edition only

Development

Pro Skater 1 + 2 is the third remaster of the original two games, following Pro Skater 2x by Treyarch in 2001 and Pro Skater HD by Robomodo in 2012. Trying to capitalize on the growing popularity of skateboarding as a sport, the Tony Hawk's series of video games started in 1999 with Pro Skater, which was immediately followed by Pro Skater 2 in 2000. Both games, especially Pro Skater 2, were extremely well received critically and commercially, spawning one of the most commercially successful video game franchises of the 2000s, releasing games on a yearly basis for over a decade. However, the original licensing deal between Tony Hawk and Activision expired in 2015 after the release of the poorly reviewed Pro Skater 5, abandoning the franchise for almost five years.[14] Pro Skater 1 + 2 is the first game released by Activision since the aforementioned deal ended, while Hawk partnered with Maple Media to release the independent mobile game Tony Hawk's Skate Jam in 2018.[15]

On May 12, 2020, Activision announced Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 which was developed by Vicarious Visions using Unreal Engine 4, who previously worked on ports for several Tony Hawk games.[16][17][18] According to Vicarious Visions studio head Jen Oneal, the studio obtained Neversoft's original handling code and layered on the code to modernize the handling, as well as consulting with former employees. The team also worked on the level geometry to make sure the player's skating lines were the same from the original games. Further, the team had redone all the art assets for the game's 19 levels to prepare it for 4K resolution but otherwise keep the game familiar to players.[9] Oneal also confirmed that most of the licensed songs from the first two games would return.[19] Three tracks from the original two games are not present,[20][21][lower-alpha 2] while 37 new tracks have been added.[22]

Marketing

Since its announcement trailer on May 12, 2020, the game was extensively marketed by Activision.[16] To achieve this, Activision opened several social media accounts for the game on Instagram, YouTube among others, where additional trailers and endorsement videos by the featured skaters were published until and after the game's release. Reminiscent of the first entry in the series, a new "Warehouse Demo" was released on August 14, 2020 for all people who had pre-ordered the game.[23]

The game was made available with several special editions, including the "Digital Deluxe Edition", which included additional skins, skateboards, clothing options, as well as an additional secret character, Ripper; whereas the "Collector's Edition" also offered an actual skateboard as well as other physical merchandise.[8]

Reception

Critical reception

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[24][25][26] IGN called it a "tremendous turnaround" from Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5, and stated that it was "difficult to believe that they share even a shred of DNA",[31] while Game Informer noted that the newest entry ensured the series had a "bright future" once again.[28]

In his review for Destructoid, Chris Carter lauded Vicarious Visions for their attention to detail and named the game the most accomplished remaster of the series yet, calling it "genius" to introduce all the mechanics from later games all at once and incorporate them into the level, thus far surpassing Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD, also citing the vastly improved graphics and visual updates to the levels when compared to the latter.[27] Writing for Game Informer, Brian Shea had the same feelings towards the game, claiming that, "by masterfully blending old with new, [the game] lands on a sweet spot", listing its truthfulness to the originals while at the same time adding new content, such as new skaters, songs, and improved controls, as the game's biggest strength.[28] In a detailed comparison of the old games to the remaster, Gamespot also noted the new challenge system, immense amount of unlockable cosmetics, and the omission of unnecessary maneuvers introduced in later games as factors that added immense replay value.[4] Furthermore, the game's soundtrack received universal acclaim for its nostalgic value while at the same time incorporating well-chosen new additions.[28][27][31] The diverse roster was also lauded, Sports Illustrated f.e. called the game "a beacon of diversity and representation."[10]

Several reviews were critical of the multiplayer, citing a lack of options and gameplay modes.[27] Shea noted that the multiplayer "wears thin fast due to repetitive objectives and an inability to play some of the local multiplayer offerings", claiming that due to this he was unable to play more than a few rounds at a time.[28] Carter also named the limited amount of levels as a point of critique, claiming that adding stages from Pro Skater 3 would have added significantly more variety and replay value.[27] Another repeatedly criticized aspect were the long loading times when entering or restarting a level.[4][30]

Sales

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 has become the fastest-selling game in the franchise, selling 1 million copies in the first two weeks.[37] In the United Kingdom, the game was the biggest launch for the franchise since 2003's Tony Hawk's Underground and was the second biggest launch in the franchise overall.[38]

Accolades

The game won the Best Sports/Racing award at the 2020 Gamescom Awards[39] and the 2020 The Game Awards.[40] It was also nominated for Best Multiplayer Game and Xbox Game of the Year at the 2020 Golden Joystick Awards.[41] At the 2021 D.I.C.E. Awards, the game is nominated for Sports Game of the Year.[42]

AwardYearCategoryResultRef.
Gamescom Awards 2020 Best Sports Game Won [39]
Golden Joystick Awards 2020 Best Multiplayer Game Nominated [41]
Xbox Game of the Year Nominated
The Game Awards 2020 Best Sports/Racing Game Won [40]
D.I.C.E. Awards 2021 Sports Game of the Year Pending [42]

See also

References
Note
  1. Additional work by Beenox.[1]
  2. Songs not included from the original releases are "Committed" by Unsane, "B-Boy Document '99" by The High & Mighty, and "Out with the Old" by Alley Life.
References
  1. Beenox [@BeenoxTeam] (May 12, 2020). "#THPS is finally back! Congratulations to Vicarious Visions for announcing Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2, happy to be a part of the supporting team on the game. Star-struckSparkles" (Tweet). Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Twitter.
  2. Sinclair, Brendan (January 22, 2021). "Vicarious Visions merged into Blizzard". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  3. Webster, Andrew (May 12, 2020). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2 are being remastered for PS4, Xbox One, and PC". The Verge. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  4. Paget, Mat (September 3, 2020). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 Review – Lights Out!". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  5. Activision Games Blog Staff (May 12, 2020). "Get Ready To Grind Into Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2 - Remastered From Ramp To Rail!". Activision. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  6. Sheridan, Connor (November 5, 2020). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 adds more than 100 new challenges to help you level up". GamesRadar+. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  7. McWhertor, Michael (May 18, 2020). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater remaster will be full of rad middle-age dads". Polygon. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  8. Hara, Ramon (August 17, 2020). "All Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 Remake Pre-Order Bonuses and Special Editions". Gamerant. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  9. Stedman, Alex (June 23, 2020). "'Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2' Remaster Reveals Pro Skaters Getting Added to the Roster". Variety. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  10. Zaldivar, Gabe (September 8, 2020). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater Remains a Shining Beacon of Diversity and Representation". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  11. Winslow, Jeremy (September 3, 2020). "You Can Play As Jack Black In Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2". GameSpot. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  12. Tailby, Stephen (September 14, 2020). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2: Bonus Skaters - Stats and How to Unlock Them". Push Square. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  13. King, Austin (September 14, 2020). "Why Spider-Man Isn't In Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2". Screenrant. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  14. Mangalindan, JP (December 1, 2016). "Tony Hawk wants his next video game to use VR". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  15. https://toucharcade.com/2018/12/03/tony-hawks-skate-jam-release-date/
  16. Webster, Andrew (May 12, 2020). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2 are being remastered for PS4, Xbox One, and PC". The Verge. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  17. Linneman, John (September 9, 2020). "We're not kidding: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 is one of the best games of the generation". Eurogamer. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  18. Chesler, Josh (September 2, 2020). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 Remaster Brings New Energy to Classic Games". Spin. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  19. Dornbush, Jonathon (May 12, 2020). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2 Remake Announced for PS4, Xbox One, PC". IGN. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  20. Romano, Sal (May 15, 2020). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 soundtrack list announced". Gematsu. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  21. T.M. Kim, Matt (July 30, 2020). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 Adds 37 New Artists to Soundtrack". IGN. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  22. Mattone, James (July 28, 2020). "Over three dozen new music tracks added to Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 soundtrack". PlayStation Blog. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  23. Bagdasarov, Garri (June 23, 2020). "Tony Hawk Pro Skater Warehouse Demo – Everything You Need To Know". PlayStation Universe. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  24. "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  25. "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  26. "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  27. Carter, Chris (September 3, 2020). "Review: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2". Destructoid. Enthusiast Gaming. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  28. Shea, Brian (September 4, 2020). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 And 2 Review – Once Again Nailing The Trick". Game Informer. GameStop. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  29. Tyrer, Ben (September 3, 2020). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 Review: "Plenty More To Offer Than Just Trips Back To The Past"". GamesRadar+. Future plc. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  30. Helm, Jordan (September 7, 2020). "Review: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
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  34. Freeman, Will (September 4, 2020). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 review – step into Y2K skating subculture". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  35. McCarthy, Cathy (September 9, 2020). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 Review: Let's Ride". USGamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
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  37. Saed, Sherif (September 15, 2020). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 becomes the fastest ever THPS to reach 1 million sales". VG247. videogaming247 Ltd. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  38. Dring, Christopher (September 10, 2020). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 is the biggest UK launch for the series since 2003". Gamesindustry.biz. Gamer Network. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  39. "gamescom award 2020". Gamescom. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  40. Bankhurst, Adam (December 10, 2020). "The Game Awards 2020: All the Winners". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  41. Staff, GamesRader (September 30, 2020). "Voting is live for the Golden Joystick Awards 2020 nominations". GamesRadar+. Future US. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  42. Nunnelley, Stephanie (January 26, 2021). "2021 DICE Awards: Ghost of Tsushima and The Last of Us: Part 2 lead with the most nominations". VG24/7. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
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