Tony Hawk’s American Sk8land - DS
Mini Review Time!
Tony Hawk’s American Sk8-land for Nintendo DS. Take away all that extra crap that they added to Tony Hawk’s Underground, and get back to the roots. That’s what this game does.
It actually combines THPS 2 and 3/4 in an interesting way. There’s a “Story” mode, in which you wander around THPS4 style, doing things for people in exchange for cash. You are using this cash to rebuild a skate park. That’s all I’m sayin’. No spoilers here.
There’s also “Classic” mode, which is like THPS 2. You have 2 minutes, and there are 10 goals on each level. Finish a certain number of goals, next level opens up. You also have the gaps to find and complete, and I think there’s extra “hidden” goals, but I’m not sure. I’ll get back to you on that.
The moves are right out of 3/4, with the revert, acid drop, and flatland tricks. They got rid of that idiotic “run off” thing from THUG.
They also added online and wireless multiplayer, which I haven’t used yet. I’ll get back to you on that too.
Things I like
The controls. Just like on the Dreamcast where I first played THPS2, and later the PS2 for THPS 3/4. Response time is good, and usually when I bail it’s on account of I suck.
The specials. There’s three (I’ve only unlocked 2, but it’s pretty obvious there’s room for a third) areas on the right side of the touch screen that can be mapped for context-sensitive auto-specials. Very useful for bustin’ out a MAJOR combo.
The graphics. Cel-shaded, which means higher frame rates. I don’t care about realism when I’m doing 4 tricks in the air. The game is fast and smooth. The bottom screen being a map is actually useful.
The stat-building. Unlike 2 (use money to buy stats), or 3/4 (get stat points at random intervals to build stats), you actually increase your stats by practicing! As you do a longer manual, your manual stat goes up. Hold that lip just a little longer? Lip balance goes up. Do more grab tricks in the air? Ollie better. You get the idea.
Things I don’t like
Nothing. Seriously. Well, maybe the size of the screen, but that’s hardly Activision’s fault. There’s not a whole lot of music either, but that’s a function of cart space, isn’t it?
This game is good. Real good. I don’t know why there’s so many copies of it used at my local GameStop, but it’s a keeper in my book.