Tony Hawk's Pro Skater
Ah, Tony. Your first two games were so promising. Then when the third came along, it pushed the series in a new direction. It was less about nailing real tricks, and more about keeping a combo alive as long as you dared.
We can see why the series went the way it did - PS2's power allowed for bigger levels and faster gameplay. And (crucially) other characters on screen. But it didn't stop there. Another one so soon? Bigger levels were only bigger so theoptimum combo routes could be longer. The game was less about skating well and more about keeping balance meters centred. And with more wacky characters and more bizarre tasks to fulfil, the series left true skateboarding way, way behind.
By the time Project 8 came along, returning to its roots somewhat, it was too late. EA's Skate wasproving to beeverything Tony Hawk's Skateboarding should have been. We know the Tony Hawk games are still good and the new Proving Ground is solid enough- it'sjust nothing like the game we used to know and love.
Above: (Left) Perform a lip trick for points. (Right) Jump the building, spine transfer into the street, grind the broken cable car and try to make an even mile before you land
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