3RRDC THPS 2

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (THPS2), the sequel to the smash hit Tony
Hawk's Pro Skater, was introduced on November 7, 2000 for the Sega
Dreamcast. The success of the first Tony Hawk game ignited a
worldwide phenomenon into extreme sports video gaming and a follow-
up was in high demand. Now with a second game available to the
public, gamers could now feed their need to perform the elusive 900
without leaving the comfort of the indented cushioned seat in their
sofa.

Since this is a review for SCG, I will follow the reviewing guidelines
given by the editor, minus the scores for the sub-categories (because
it says we don't need them).

Gameplay

THPS2 is one of those games that you can just pick up the controller
and start busting out incredible moves with no effort. With a perfect
3rd Person View of your skater, controlling him/her is not a difficult
task. Steering is used with the left and right directional buttons, and
performing maneuvers are done by pressing one of the three move
buttons and a direction on the D-pad (using the analog stick can be
very difficult). This creates an easy base to learn basic moves and
practice control of your skater while in the air.

After getting used to the fundamentals, it's time to try more advanced
tricks. Combos are the brute of your scores and are pretty much the
only way to rack up big points. Performing a beautifully executed "360
Indy over a ramp gap into a Nose Manual, into a 5-0 grind on a rail
ledge with a quick switch into a Bluntslide grind, and a hop off the rail
with a Fakie 180 tail grab" combo will not only get you all the girls, it
will allow you to say that your combo was sick and that you are stoked
that you just won the gold medal at the local competition. Getting
used to the button combos for these crazy moves can take a little
while to get used to, but the most important thing is that you are
planning ahead to put yourself in position to create massive points.

Of course, I can't get away without saying something negative about
the gameplay. My two biggest gripes about THPS2 are the amount of
air you can get when going up a vert ramp, and grinding at awkward
angles. After playing for a certain amount of time, you are able to give
your character stat points which increase their performance in certain
areas. When your "AIR" stat is all the way up, your character can
perform a 720 Japan Air without breaking a sweat. For people who
don't really get the terminology used, TonyHawk is the only one who
has ever performed a 900.

Others can barely to a 720 let alone a flawless 720 Japan Air.

The other flaw has to do with grinding. Once in a while your character
will be approaching a rail to grind at a perpendicular angle and then
when you press the grind button, he performs his grind with no
problem, turning at a 90 degree angle. Sorry, but laws of physics say
there is no way coming in at a 90 degree angle will allow you to grind
that rail without taking a dive.

Graphics

Now that we are in the age of the Xbox and PS2 it's kind of
disappointing to go back and play a Dreamcast game and see just how
far we've come with graphics. Since it is really unfair to compare an
older game to today's technology, I'm going to simply say that THPS2
has some of the best graphics, for its time. Round character models,
enormously detailed levels, and the environmental interaction is
incredible. Breaking windows, skating drained swimming pools, and
wall grinding at the local school are just some of the cool things you
can do in the world of Tony Hawk.

The speed of THPS2 is at top notch quality. I have yet to find a glitch
when whizzing by buildings and surroundings, and distant backgrounds
come into focus quite smoothly. Although, like most 3rd person view
games, when you're up against a wall and you turn to a certain degree,
the wall seems to disappear and you can see through it. I've noticed
this in a lot of games though.

Sound

Wow. That's all you have to say about the sound quality in THPS2.
Excellent sound effects range from the rolling wheels of the skate
board, grinding rails, and the occasional grunt from a fallen skater. But
where the real sound gets a perfect score is in the soundtrack. THPS2
is one of the first innovative games to involve real bands and current
and upcoming radio singles: rock bands range from Powerman 5000
and Papa Roach, punk bands include Millencolin and Bad Religion, and
the hip-hop evolvers Public Enemy are also included. With such a great
soundtrack to a game, the disc can be considered a great videogame
or a great musical soundtrack CD.

Replay Value

Having things such as career mode, free skate, and multiplayer games
like graffiti and horse, make THPS2 worth coming back for more.
Continuing the career of each skater can be a long and tedious
accomplishment, but it's worth it in the end when all of you skaters
have maxed out stats. Whooping up on your friends in an array of
multiplayer games is a great feeling and makes your friends angry
enough to keep coming back for more. Plus, unlockable characters
and cheats are fun to receive, especially when you are able to play as
a red and blue wall-climber (I'm not going to name names now). Also,
with each skater having their own unique special moves, it's fun to
perform them and say, "I know what a 540 McTwist is."

Overall

THPS2 is an astonishing marvel that we were all lucky to be able to
grasp on the Dreamcast. Only once in a while we can say that we own
a very unique and innovative game. THPS2 is one of those games.
Incredible graphics, easy gameplay, and a phenomenal soundtrack
make this game one of my favorite Dreamcast games. I suggest to
everyone that owns a Dreamcast, you better own Tony Hawk's Pro
Skater 2. Now I must go perfect the "540 Benihana, Backslide,
Tailslide into a 180 Kick Flip over a roof gap, and then landing with a
Casper Manual" combo.

Review by: JayKay