I wanted so badly to like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2. Hearing that it was better than the original, seeing mechanics like manuals to improve combos and being able to buy and upgrade stats and tricks, Spiderman?! Sounds great, right?
Well, I forget that I was a kid when I played the original, and have things not aged well in …
I wanted so badly to like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2. Hearing that it was better than the original, seeing mechanics like manuals to improve combos and being able to buy and upgrade stats and tricks, Spiderman?! Sounds great, right?
Well, I forget that I was a kid when I played the original, and have things not aged well in the controls department. Say what you will about how to play the game, but anything ranging from balancing manuals/grinds to special moves that have the brutally small timing of a hardcore fighting game to...never landing properly. Even the basics are quite difficult to get a grasp on, and you may play what feels like hours hitting the ground and scratching your head as to what went wrong.
Career Mode is where the meat is really found (though the 2-Player mode is always entertaining) - essentially you get goals, some secret, mostly collectible, some involving pulling off tricks on specific objects, and finding cash littered throughout the level, a decent touch above the original. Most of the money is spent towards unlocking competition levels where scoring nets you an ending based on three medals. In all honesty, if you like the idea of something a little meatier in terms of progression, it's surprising how repetitive it becomes, even with the well-rendered tracks with secrets abound.
As for unlockables? Tony Hawk 2's got loads of em, with even more ridiculously repetitive requirements (100% a single character? How about ALL of them to unlock this stage) that rely on a player's penchant for practice over seeing new things.
For someone who knows the game so amazingly well they might as well be playing a competitive fighting game championship, Tony Hawk 2 adds to the action and gives more for them to enjoy. People looking to have fun, well...stick to the 2 Player. You don't know the pain of trying to manage a bluntslide on an awning and hopefully you never will.
