"By far the best game on this console"

Let me just introduce this review with a bang: This is by far the best PS2 game currently available and definetly the best Tony Hawk game in the series Ok if you must read more for me to convince you of this being a worthy purchase, read on. There are about 12,000 reasons why this game surpasses its predecessors in every way possible. The graphics are just insane, the sounds are pimpin, the create-a-skater and park editor are 12-fold better, and the levels are just simply more fun and bigger. Not to mention the awesome no revert move that lets you gain high up into the million-point range for a single combo! I will break down the various parts of the game to make this review easier to read:

Graphics- 9.6
Insane, really shows off what the ps2 can do. There is no draw-in that is noticable, the pedestrian interaction is just fantastic as well as the passing by cars. There are several more bail animations as well as better looking trick animations. The only slight problem I have with the way this game runs is the dropped framerate at some minimal parts of the game, it is only really noticable when you start the level or when several things are going on. Try playing this game for a week then go back and play THPS1 or 2, you will simply laugh at the graphics and framerate. Nothing to prevent you from buying this game, now!

Sound- 9.8
I will say that THPS1 had the best tunes of the series, but this game continues the great sounds that began with THPS1. The best new feature in this category is the option to turn off certain songs. If you hate all the Rap on the soundtrack, just turn the songs off! You can completely customize the soundtrack to what you want and dont want. Its almost hard to exit free skate to play the game because the tunes just make you keep wanting to play! Besides the music, there is an awesome new feature called 'Ambience' where you can completely turn off the sound in a level and it will actually sound like you are in the game environment. If you choose this in a level say like LA, then you will hear all the traffic, pedestrians talking among themselves, or yelling at you to bust out something cool. Everything is here and the sound is so much better than past thps games, another great aspect to a great game.

Gameplay- 10
When it really comes down to it, isnt this what really matters in a game? Well its all that this review should be based on, and its by far the best aspect of the game, which is saying a lot because everything else is shining awesome! The gameplay polishes what THPS1 and 2 were in an ultimate version of on of the greatest playing games ever. Trying to out-do yourself in every trick string just gets more competitive and fun every second. The new revert move is also great here where in THPS1+2 street skaters hardly did vert moves, now there is no reason not to! Oh and not to mention all the interactivity in the levels. Goals such as ''create an earthquake'' or ''stop the car chase'' or ''Get chuck unstuck'' or ''Trash the museum'' define what interactive environments are. This is fantastic and the level goals are now so much better than ever before. No more random ''grind 5 bells'' goals anymore, this is real cool stuff letting you use your imagination. Also all the decks and stat points to be earned are no longer by money, but rather found among the level. The gameplay in this game is fantastic and you would be a fool not to buy this game right now.

Interface- 9.9
Wow, talk about totally robust interface compared to the first two titles. It looks way more cool, plus loading up your career and playing where you left off is just great. The menus are perfect, everything is just fantastic. Create-a-skater could never be more fun giving you limitless options and the skate park is ten-fold better. The new intro-movies to each level is also great and will help you with the goals a lot more than past Tony Hawks did. Oh and the ending videos are 100% more cool now, they have commentary by the skater themselves and cool stuff. Great stuff here!

Multi-play- 10.1
This is just insane, now you can play what was one of the best two player games ever, ONLINE! Fantastic, a bang up job that is just crazy. IF only the ps2 official adaptor was released a little earlier. Other than that, the two-player is way better and not to mention the huge capabilities of online play! Once you take a step up to this, you wont be putting this game down anytime soon. Work 5x what you paid for it, trust me.

Overall- 9.9
Overall this game defines what a ''classic'' is and its just great. If you dont get this game now, you will probably never discover what is the best PS2 game out. This game is what will keep you busy until, well quite possibly as long as you have your ps2. What can be changed to make TH4 a worthy sequel? Honestly gameplay wise, I couldnt think of much more. The vert and lip tricks are totally done over and the gameplay is flawless. The only thing THPS4 can possibly do better is more levels, more tricks, better graphics... basically just more of everything this game already has. Go out and buy this game now, for the sake of all gamers. NOW I SAY!!!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 11/06/01, Updated 11/06/01