Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5: A Grinding, Flipping Nostalgia Trip for a New Generation!

Remember the days when you spent countless hours perfecting kickflips and grinds on pixelated ramps? When the soundtrack was filled with punk rock anthems and the smell of asphalt was practically emanating from your TV screen? Those were the golden days of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, a franchise that redefined skateboarding games and captured the hearts (and thumbs) of millions.

Fast forward to 2015, and Activision revived the iconic series with “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5,” aiming to recapture the magic for a new generation of gamers while introducing fresh mechanics and features. While it faced some criticism upon release, “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5” still deserves recognition as a worthy successor to the legendary franchise, offering an exhilarating skateboarding experience filled with nostalgia, challenges, and a whole lot of vert.

Let’s dive deeper into the game’s core elements:

Story and Gameplay

Unlike its predecessors, “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5” shies away from a narrative-driven campaign. Instead, it focuses on pure skateboarding action through its Career mode and online multiplayer modes. You choose your skater (either a pro or create your own), customize their appearance and stats, and then embark on a series of challenges across various locations.

The gameplay itself remains faithful to the classic Tony Hawk formula: ollies, kickflips, grinds, manuals, special tricks – all executed with satisfying fluidity. The game introduces new features like “Board Customization” allowing players to tailor their decks for optimal performance and style. However, one notable change was the introduction of “Special Moves,” activated by filling a meter during gameplay. These moves, unique to each skater, offered visually impressive maneuvers and bonus points but sometimes felt disconnected from the natural flow of skateboarding.

Levels and Environments

“Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5” features eight unique levels, ranging from urban plazas and skateparks to sprawling industrial complexes and beaches. Each level is meticulously designed with intricate layouts, hidden gaps, and opportunities for creative lines. The game encourages exploration and experimentation, rewarding players who can discover secret spots and string together complex combos.

Here’s a breakdown of some notable locations:

While the levels themselves were generally well-designed, some criticized them for lacking the iconic personality of classic Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater maps. The absence of recognizable landmarks and the somewhat generic design sometimes detracted from the overall experience.

Soundtrack and Presentation

No Tony Hawk game is complete without a killer soundtrack, and “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5” delivers with a mix of punk rock, hip hop, and electronic music. The playlist features artists like A$AP Rocky, Death From Above 1979, and even a remastered classic from the original Tony Hawk games – Rage Against the Machine’s “Guerrilla Radio.”

Visually, the game is a mixed bag. While the character models are detailed and the animations are generally fluid, the level design can sometimes feel repetitive and lacking in visual pizazz. The lack of environmental details and the occasional clunky texture work detract from the overall presentation.

Multiplayer Mayhem

“Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5” embraces its multiplayer roots with both local and online modes. You can compete against friends in classic game modes like “Trick Attack,” “Grab-It,” and “King of the Hill.” The online experience allows you to challenge players worldwide, climb leaderboards, and show off your skills in dedicated lobbies.

The addition of a “Create-a-Park” feature adds another layer of depth, allowing players to design their own skateparks with unique obstacles and layouts. This opens up endless possibilities for creative expression and customized multiplayer experiences.

Legacy and Conclusion

While “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5” may not have reached the legendary status of its predecessors, it remains a solid entry in the franchise, offering hours of skateboarding fun and challenging gameplay. Its focus on core mechanics, updated features, and robust multiplayer options make it a worthy contender for fans seeking a dose of virtual shredding.

However, the game’s shortcomings – primarily its uneven presentation, lackluster level design, and somewhat clunky special moves – prevented it from truly capturing the magic of the original titles. Still, “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5” deserves recognition as a decent attempt to rekindle the skateboarding flame for a new generation of gamers.

If you’re looking for a nostalgic trip back to the golden days of skateboarding games, with a few modern twists thrown in for good measure, “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5” might just be worth grinding out a few hours of playtime.