The Tony Hawk franchise has expanded to nearly every gaming platform accessible, and now the series will take a run on Sony’s PlayStation Portable, but can the series stray away from Tony Hawk’s traditional gameplay formula and offer something out of the ordinary? If you’ve had the opportunity to play the console version of Tony Hawk’s Underground 2, then you should know exactly what to expect for the fact that Tony Hawk’s Underground 2: Remix is a direct port from console to handheld. Conversely, Neversoft pledges to add four PSP-exclusive levels to THUG 2’s Story mode along with wireless [Ad Hoc] multiplayer features for a wholesome experience all fans should enjoy. But can it compare to the console version on a visual standpoint and still sustain THUG 2’s gameplay ethics offered by the console version?

Features:

• 16 Levels (4 PSP-exclusive including Atlanta, Kyoto, Las Vegas, & Santa Cruz).
  
• 2 games in 1: Story mode and Classic mode.
  
• Over 10 [wireless Ad Hoc] multiplayer games including Trick Attack, Score Challenge, Combo Mambo, Slap!, King of the Hill, Graffiti, Firefight, Elimiskate, Scavenger Hunt, Goal Attack, and Capture the Flag (up to four players).
  
• THUG 2’s exclusive Create-a-game mode allows you to create skate parks, graffiti graphics, tricks and level goals.
  
• Special face mapping feature allows you to put your face in the game. Simply transfer your picture onto a Memory Stick Duo™ and upload it into the game.

Gameplay
If you’ve played any of Tony Hawk’s previous game installments, you’ll be quick to find that THUG 2 follows Tony Hawk’s traditional gameplay ethics. The series first began with a two-minute timer and a small list of goals that required you to finish objectives within the time limit. Objectives vary, rather you must attain a certain point score, or find secret item(s), and Tony Hawk’s goal-based gameplay speedily appealed to fans of the action-sports genre. Unfortunately, the series began to grow tiresome, as each version was basically a watered-down remake of the previous installment with the exception of different levels. However, the Tony Hawk series didn’t necessarily grow too stale, for the fact that the formula the series offered was fun from the get-go. With one installment after another, THPS’ developer Neversoft knew they had to change things up a bit if they wanted to keep fans interested, which then lead to the birth of Tony Hawk’s Underground.

Although many may argue at the fact that Tony Hawk’s Underground was essentially the same game with a new name, I felt as if the Underground installment was what brought the series back to life. I loved the fact that there was a story mode (which was actually very entertaining for hard-core action-sport fanatics like myself). Although the ability to get off of your skateboard wasn’t exactly revolutionary, it pushed the envelope for different methods of gameplay in the Tony Hawk series.



Though Tony Hawk’s Underground 2 may have come and gone on consoles, and you may have already reached your verdict for this game, don’t necessarily count THUG 2: Remix out. If you’ve played the console version, then your thoughts of the [console] version will reflect on what you will think of Remix. Gameplay is essentially the same as the first Tony Hawk Underground title. You have a set amount of goals [in story mode], and you must complete a certain number of goals in order to proceed to different levels. Along with the same gameplay mechanics as THUG 1, the story mode THUG 2 offers isn’t quite as intriguing as THUG 1 in my personal opinion. Although the story is entertaining, it’s easy to tell that Neversoft went for a more comical story theme as opposed to THUG 1’s dramatic fight-for-fame skate story.

Some goals really test your patience, as some can be rather non-explanatory which is why I recommend the tutorial offered at the beginning of THUG 2. Though newbies to the Tony Hawk series may find THUG 2’s gameplay ethics relatively confusing, veterans will be able to distinguish most of THUG 2’s non-explanatory goals. However, series vets still won’t be able to breeze through this THUG installment, as goals concentrate more on reeking havoc, as opposed to skating. Although reeking havoc may suit some THUG fans, it certainly wasn’t enough to hold its own in my opinion.