Hil's take
The funny thing about E3 2002 is that no one seems hyped at all for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4. I count myself among the foolish masses. After playing two levels of the new Hawk, I am here to say emphatically -- This game kicks ass. After only a few seconds of playing Hawk, I can guarantee it's a better experience than Tony Hawk 3, which was a pretty amazing game.
Pedestrians are a greater factor in 4. Children, concerned mothers, clueless jaywalkers all get in the way. It's a strange experience the first time you crash into a wayward toddler. The crowd is also an important factor in the game outside of getting in the way. Level objectives are obtained by talking to specific folks, denoted by a giant hovering arrow.
The things you've come to expect from Hawk are still there -- great animations, a slew of tricks, a deep career mode, plenty of skaters, and blood on the asphalt. But what really sets Hawk 4 above the previous three is the level design. Levels are enormous in the new Hawk, with multiple tiers that can be reached in a variety of ways. The college level feels more natural, more authentic than the school grounds of Hawk 1 or 2. A venturous skate up a ramp takes you to the second story of a building, where you can bust a few grinds along the edge of the balcony, smashing a variety of clay pots on your way. There are water fountains, as is a staple of Hawk, but these ones appear more appropriate in the setting, as if Neversoft had taken a snap shot of a real local and made the game match the photo in every aspect. There is so much detail, so many things moving in the peripheral, that the game feels like it is truly becoming organic.
The game appears more gritty, with asphalt looking less like a sheet of paper and more like Edward James Olmos' face. There seems to be no aspect of Hawk 4 that hasn't seen improvement. From the detailed faces to the slicker animations and ridiculously cool new grinds, Hawk 4 is a visual treat the likes of which you never received on Halloween. What made the biggest impression wasn't the beautiful textures, the wandering hippos in the zoo, or the whiny kids wandering around with balloons -- it's the framerate. In the two levels I played there was no chop. Consider these levels are huge, filled with people, elephants, and Chris Carle, and they run at a smooth 60 fps. That's more impressive than the longevity of N'Sync.
Did I mention the hippos yet? Because they deserve mentioning. These water-loving beasts are the most striking of the things I saw at the zoo. Granted, I didn't get to explore all of this massive level, so I'm certain there are more creatures lurking around. Like any good hippo, these fat water buffalo enjoy bathing, making odd noises, and greeting visitors who bail into their lagoon paradise.
Why must Activision torment me so. I was perfectly happy when I wasn't too hyped over Hawk 4. Now I've got more jitters than a june bug on methamphetamines. Just when you think Tony Hawk has reached its peak, it gets better.
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