Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5: A Wheelie Good Time or Just Another Wipeout?

Stepping into the hallowed grounds of skateboarding video games, we encounter a classic franchise that’s been grinding rails and defying gravity for decades: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. While iterations have come and gone, some leaving us with more scraped knees than sweet ollies, there’s a certain nostalgia attached to these digital skateparks. Today, we’re focusing on “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5,” a title released in 2015 that attempted to recapture the magic of its predecessors while embracing modern gaming sensibilities.

But did it land the trick, or was it a faceplant into the concrete? Let’s break down the gameplay, features, and ultimately, whether “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5” is worth carving up some virtual time on.

Gameplay: Back to Basics with a Twist

“Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5” sticks to the core mechanics that made the series famous: stringing together tricks, grinding rails, ollieing over obstacles, and pulling off gravity-defying combos. The control scheme feels familiar, allowing for both button mashing for casual fun and precise timing for intricate maneuvers.

However, “THPS5” introduced a new “Special Meter” that filled up as you performed successful tricks. Once full, you could unleash a powerful “Special Trick,” opening up possibilities for massive point bonuses and visually impressive stunts. This added a layer of strategy to the gameplay, encouraging players to prioritize risky maneuvers for greater rewards.

Levels: A Familiar Playground with New Spots

The game featured eight levels at launch, ranging from classic locales like Los Angeles’ Venice Beach to fictional settings inspired by real-world skateparks. While these levels provided diverse environments to explore and shred, they lacked the intricate details and personality of earlier games in the franchise. Many fans felt the level design was somewhat generic and lacked the memorable landmarks and secrets that defined previous “Tony Hawk” titles.

Skater Roster: Legends and New Faces

“Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5” boasted a roster of both legendary skaters and newcomers. The returning veterans included Tony Hawk himself, alongside staples like Rodney Mullen, Bob Burnquist, Lizzie Armanto, and Andrew Reynolds.

The inclusion of fresh faces helped introduce diversity and a sense of new blood into the franchise. However, some felt that the overall roster lacked the depth and iconic presence of earlier games’ lineups.

Soundtrack: A Solid Mix but Missing that Punch

Music has always been an integral part of the “Tony Hawk” experience. “THPS5” featured a soundtrack that included a mix of punk rock, hip-hop, and electronic tracks, aiming to capture the spirit of skateboarding culture. While the chosen songs were generally enjoyable, they lacked the iconic anthems and breakout hits that defined soundtracks like those in “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2.”

Production Features: A Step Forward… or a Grind Backwards?

“Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5” marked the franchise’s foray into next-gen consoles. Graphically, it attempted to deliver improved visuals with detailed character models and environments. However, the game faced criticism for its performance issues at launch, including frame rate drops, glitches, and frustrating load times.

The online multiplayer mode allowed players to compete in various challenges and sessions, but matchmaking was often unreliable, leading to frustrating waits and connection issues.

So, Is “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5” Worth a Skate?

Ultimately, whether or not “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5” is worth your time depends on your expectations and tolerance for its shortcomings. If you’re looking for a polished, feature-rich skateboarding experience that captures the magic of the franchise’s golden era, you might be left feeling disappointed.

However, if you’re willing to overlook some technical flaws and embrace the core gameplay mechanics, there’s still fun to be had grinding rails, pulling off sick combos, and expressing your creativity in virtual skateparks.

Recommendation:

Think of “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5” as a solid but somewhat awkward ollie. It gets you airborne, but it might not land perfectly smoothly. If you can snag it on sale and are craving some skateboarding action, give it a shot. But for a truly polished experience that honors the legacy of the series, you might want to dust off an older title instead.