I personally love the Tony Hawk series... and I know I'm not alone.

It's got solid controls, solid animations, great music and sound effects, and is just plan addictive as hell.

I remember spending weeks getting all the gaps in THPS2 without any cheats (there's 2 or 3 that I spent days on alone).

THPS4 was probably my favorite... IMO the series really stopped gowning game play wise at that point. I'm not trying to offend but I can't even think of much more to add in that respect.

THPS2 added a lot with the addition of the manual, THPS3 added a lot with the addition of the revert. THPS4 really just kind of solidified everything that had been done previously, and the whole addition of flat land tricks was really cool (they're not my favorite kind of tricks) as well as the ability to change tricks in a grind etc.

THUG was interesting though it really just felt like a lot of frosting added to an already really good cake. The ability to get off of your board was cool as it make it loads easier to get to obscure locations to setup for combo lines and such, but I don't think it really added much to the game play and felt kind of clumsy to use as part of a combo (especially in contrast to the smoother skateboarding mechanics). The idea of a story mode was cool but it was just too linear.

THUG 2 was a big let down for me. I was mostly disappointed in the lack of online play on the Xbox version. I remember reading an article before it was released on how it would feature online play and all the things you could do etc. I pre-ordered it for Xbox. Got it home and realized there was no online ability. I re-sold it on eBay THAT DAY and went out and bought the PS2 version so I could play online . Despite the typical differences in graphics between PS2 and Xbox I was also really disappointed in the graphics. The previous installments worked off of realism while THUG2 felt like they were going for cartoony SD characters. Also the use of the actual game models for the cut scenes is ok... but only if the game models look good. The models in THUG 2 are fine for the actual game play but when you go in close on characters faces and what not in the cut scenes it exploits their defects and ugly (relatively) low poly count. Another disappointment was in THUG 2 the story mode felt even MORE linear than in the first THUG. If you're going to add a story mode at least make it dynamic to some extent. I'd fly through all the challenges perfectly and when I got to the end of the level it was always treated as if I was the lowest scoring member of my "team". The thing I liked most about THUG2 however was the addition of "Classic Mode". I had felt it was missing in the first THUG and was happy to see it added in THUG2.
Things like graffiti, throwing tomatoes (etc), and the "special guests" that used obscure modes of transportation were more frustrating to get through than enjoyable to play, mostly do to them just straying too far from the heat of the game; which is the wonderful skateboarding mechanics.
Things that were added to the "game-play" in THUG2 like the freak out and concentration mode are OK. Both are really cool when you first try them but neither have any real lasting value. Freak out is nice if you're frustrated but it takes way to long and I find myself just avoiding it to get back on my board. And concentration mode is really only useful for analyzing you landings and would probably be better suited if replaced with a replay mode of some sort. Natas spins do nothing for me, but I really love the sticker slap. The sort of perpendicular wall plant. It's the one thing that actually adds good game-play much like the manual and revert did in THPS2 and 3. Though not nearly as useful as a manual or revert it's great none the less.

One thing that that the series has been trending towards that has really bothered me is the levels. They keep getting bigger and bigger. In some ways it's great, you have a giant level to explore but in other ways the smaller levels are just as, if not more fun than the big levels. The THPS2 hanger level is IMO one of the best Tony Hawk Levels to date. In THUG2 the "warm up" level in the very beginning is my favorite level of the whole game. In a smaller space it feels like the devs are more creative with that space, and in turn it gives more opportunities to the player for interesting combos, and making really good use of the space provided. The big levels are cool but a lot of times (especially since the first THUG) it fells like a big level was created then they went through and added stuff to make it work well for combos. The smaller levels just feel better overall.

So when it comes down to it here is what I'm hoping I'll see the next Tony Hawk release:
-Online Play across ALL platforms. It'd be even better if I could play the online cross platform say my Xbox version against someone on the PS2 version etc. (I know that part is pie in the sky but I can dream) Reguardless... no release of Tony hawk should be without online play at this point.
-Next Gen graphics on the next gen release (I would HATE to buy the 360 version and have it be a hi-res knock off of the PS2's graphical trash)
-A few good Smaller levels. I'd love to see some small levels that call back to the THPS 2 and 3 days. Big levels are good but don't forget that small levels have a place too! (maybe even the inclusion of classic tony hawk levels with new challenges!)
-Dynamic Story Mode. Please... If I trounce the other team give me a story line that knows that, if I do shitty then give me the shitty outcome. A good story mode will A. Pull the player through the story, and evolve around them, and B. be influenced directly by the players actions. the Story in THUG2 does neither of those. I'd love it if THAW (THAW?) improved the Story structure.
-Whenever the TH series takes me to something other than a skateboard the game-play turns to shit. I'd say either trash the non skateboarding elements or make them play as smooth, crisp, and clean as the rest of the game.
-A sort of replay mode that saves with the high scores or major gap checklist would be awesome. Going through the high scores/checklist it be great to brag to your friends and then replay it for them.
-Finally (and I could be wrong) have more prizes for completing outlandish tasks... I remember when I got every gap in THPS2 and there was NOTHING... All I got was the respect of my buddies who where there when I did it but it would have been nice to see a special bloopers video or maybe Neversoft could send me a box of cracker jacks.... SOMETHING. I haven't yet attempted this for THUG or THUG2 so maybe this has already been remedied but for every accomplishment there should be a reward. Especially for rare things like getting all the gaps... the series has enough of a fan base that you're going to get idiots like me to actually do that stuff


That's all... I'm PSYCHED for the new Tony Hawk game on a new console and if only a few of my above prayers are answered I'll be a very happy gamer.

What do the rest of you think/looking forward to/would like to see in the new TH game?

(PS you better be reading this m_hael )

i like the tony hawk games aswell. but from looking at the previews, the grpahics and gameplay looked like it was current gen.. now i know they rnt running on full xbox 360 hardware yet but from what i saw it looked like current gen graphics... idk ill wait for it and if i here good reveiws then ill def. go out an dbuy it

i dont know the first level warehouse in thps I is the best if you ask me a pure classic

couldnt agree more

I still think the school level was the best.i remember getting 1 millon points + without any codes in that level.

That was another one of my favorites too

tony hawk 3 was the funnest of them all in my oppinion.

i enjoyed thps4 the most mainly because of the ps2 online paly and the levels. the screen from the new one look less than current genoration which is dissappointing, but i hope they revamp them by the time its released. I'm also really looking forward to the online play for XBL and the huge level, there are so many possibilities there, if PD0 can have 50+ players than THAW can have atleast 25-5- people per server. just imagine 50 people playing on one huge levels with people playing huge games of slap or tag with 20 players. the possibilities are endless imo, its going to be interesting to see whats going to turn out with this series.

i like the series, but i think its getting a bit repetitive, know what im saying? how many games are you going to come out with before it finally ends? personally, i think thug should have been the end of it. ive been skateboarding 6 years, im right on the edge of a sponsorship (i have a local board company checkin me out right now) and im absolutely in love with the sport. but after awhile, you begin to see the same exact things over and over again in this series.

It's a solid series but I agree it's rather repetitve by now, and trying to add "fresh" gameplay by letting you get off your board and adding all that other stuff wasn't to great of an idea IMO, I really liked the more 'closed off' type of skate park levels, than the big open cities. If I could have one thing added to the series it would be a really solid skatepark editor, although I don't know how creative you can get with a level editor type of thing but they could try to make parts that make the level flow better or something.

Regarding a few smaller levels, isnt it supposed to just be one big level? Will parts be locked off at the beginning and unlocked later?

yeah i loved those pure skatepark lvls! what i would do to skate in those. I used to have a lifetime membership to my local skatepark until ownership changed :\ now i gotta pay $7 per 2 hrs

I guess it would be similar to NFSU 2 and the GTA series. As in new areas will be unlocked as you progress through the game.

tony hawk 1 for ps1 was the only good tony hawk imho

after that they put way to much crap that bloated the game

i liked the THPS seris THUG 1 was good bout THUG2 to i hated and it is gettig repetive

I'm Game for it..i love every game in this fantastic SERIES!!

I stoped getting excited over a tony hawk after three came out. Yes four was good, it just starting bluring together. Same stuff differant level. THUG didn't really do much for me either. After this game come out they should kill the franchise, uless they can come up with more AWSOME moves like the sticker move from THUG 2....wow

I think Tony Hawk 1 was the best, I liked number 2 only becuase it came with the new manual move, if manuals were allowed in the first, it would have been perfect, I remember spending days during the summer playing the demo before the game was released.....Best Summer Ever!

whats the deal with the new tong hawk....i heard (cant remember where) that it was a massive multi-player game. One big world with no loading and all theses people would play together

im really looking forward to it for sure. i just wish theyd stop trying to make it an action game with all these missions and stuff...

but id most like to see a universal game save. imagine being able to play it on the xbox then move your game save to the PSP and playing it there from where you left off... to me thats the ultimate goal for a hand held to merge the games then let you play them seemless.

Yeah. I'd say I'm pretty hyped for this game, being an old TH fanatic since the first game. Although I hope it won't lose the tight gameplay by having 1 big ass level. I haven't played THUG 2, but I liked THUG 1 for the crazy levels and the tasks that were set up for you, like the helicopter jump in Hawaii. The story was meh, but since when can you craft an intricate, kick ass story about skateboarding? Not the most intellectual ballpark in the land, but a source of constant, addicting gameplay.

I daresay that I haven't been as addicted to a computer game since Tetris, when I played THPS2(for me the highlight of the series). The school level so totally rocked, I actually bought that game twice, once for the PS and finished it and then again for the DC. And of course finished that as well

hey fucking yeah, i remember my friend would play that one level over and over agian for hours. My friend win most of the time but now with the manual and revert he couldnt touch me ever. I lover playing thps3 on the pc online, then i went to thps4 on the ps2 online, kicked ass in that(ps2 fanboy). went to thug with the xbox(xbox fanboy, looks like im staying here/there). i played through thug2 but it was meh after i beat the crappy asss story. ill load it up and play every once and a while. I probobly enjoyed thps3 and 4 the most mainly becuase of the online play. Now that THAW on the 360(woot) will be online i will probly play the fuck out of it, and the one big level even makes it better yet. I cant wait.

i own everysingle THPS game to date. i love all of them except THUG2. i quit playing that when i was riding this fucked up mechanical bull. i mean WTF is that i do agree that THPS4 online with the ps2 was one of the greatest games ever. (i dont care if i get flamed but, i think the ps2 controller was practically made for that game! with the four shoulder buttons and all.) i hope this one is much better and goes back to its roots. and BTW the hands down best level in all THPS games ever made has to be School maimi from THPS1.

the video we see of american wasteland is a ps2 build!
btw:

yeah no doubt they're building the PS2 version first (biggest sales/most difficult) and just kind of porting it elsewhere.

One thing I noticed in the video was a guy on a BMX bike...

I think that would be a cool direction to take the game allow for different sports in addition to skateboarding like BMX biking, Inline Skating, razor scooter, (maybe freestyle walking or freestyle wheelbarrow?). It would sure beat the lame ass characters "skating" in wheel chairs, mechanical bulls, segways, etc. It would only really work if they offered the same smooth gameplay that's available for the skateboarding side.

If it had the same bike physics/controls as Dave Mirra, then fuck yeah, that'd be awesome. That game kept me entertained for a long time.

I just checked out the wheelbarrow site lol

ya the gimmics in thug2 got old fast, the special characters ruined the game id rather play as the pros not jessie james on the IT. but oh well it was fun enough.

I think you're all going to like the new one... I can't really say any more... only a couple of months now until release.

Lol cool I really liked all four thps, but underground really wasnt good, especially underground 2.

Plus, what ever happened to those bmx games? I never actually picked one of those n64 copies up, but a new actually decent one would be a pretty popular game.

I thought Dave Mirra was awesome, The first one, with the ragdoll physics....Hours and hours of fun with that demo ( the actual game was really easy)

dave mira tanked.. not sure on the ACTUAL numbers (I'm not at work) but... they were pretty darned low.

hmm i liked it

Yeah, me too. It was basically the same game as THPS at the time, but with a bike. So with someone like me who gets bored with games fairly easy, it's a nice mix on things. (Even though THPS kept me pretty busy back then too... hours and hours on each one. And I never got sick of the first level on DM where it played Sublime over and over again, lol.)

EDIT: Now that you guys got me talkin' about it, I think I'm gunna bust out DM right now, haha.

I am looking forward to it but i am wondering what will be new this time around
does anyone know?

what will be different from the many other titles that have alredy been released.

Well they're incorporating the Dave Mirra engine into it so it's like both the THPS series and the Dave MIrra series combined. You can do all teh normal underground stuff probably and this time it's just one giant level so there's no load times.

And it's also on XBOX LIVE.

the dave mira engine is NOT involved.

yeah...i thought Activision/Treyarch/Neversoft made Mat Hoffman, and some other company made Dave Mirra.

I think Acclaim made Dave Mirra, which we all know how they turned out. One NR Reader and one SNES from acclaim sitting on my shelf, so...

The School is by far one of the best levels in Tony Hawk. Yet I also noticed that Wasteland looked like it was current gen. It better get alot better by launch time if they want to atleast spark my interest for it.

I loved the TH games, right up to 3, 4 was ok, but once THUG came it went down hill big time, i mean i hate the big open levels just like everyone else, and im much happier with smaller well thought out levels.

Now as for the BMX games i think the Dave Mirra games sucked, and imo Mat Hoffman is a much better game Since that is just like Tony Hawk only on a BMX.

the reason it looks current gen is because it is. It is being released on xbox and PS2 and Gamecube plus xbox360, which pisses me off, if they are gonna make games on both platforms they are developing for the current gen systems in mind, and then just putting a little more "hi-res" textures in there for the 360.....They are sacrificing it so they can make more money and are just pinching every penny out of the current gen systems.

you realise of course - that as a business model, to cut off support for ALL current (read, largest installbase) hardware just because new hardware is coming out is simply suicide. Just as much as NOT supporting new hardware at all is suicide waiting to happen.

I actually don't like the way the Tony Hawk series is going with Underground and American Wasteland. I (like many other people i guess) prefer the old games. I know I still bust out my N64 to play the original Tony hawk every so often.

you know what happens when you release a game thats just like the old games.... someone else says... "but its just like the old games?"

oh - and almost nothing has been released regard american wasteland so please try to hold off on commenting until it has.

right on!