Ollies, flips, grabs, grinding, and… manuals? This is the game that defined the whole genre of extreme sports and created a legacy that still stands today. This was considered one of the best games, if not the best, to ever graced the PlayStation console and there are so many reasons why. If you weren’t a fan of this game before then this might change your mind. Tony Hawk pro skater 2 (THPS2) for the PlayStation

Graphics: 9
The game is a great upgrade to the previous. Using the same engine not much has changed in the graphics department yet it’s not a bad thing. Yeah it still suffers from a bit of pixelization and blur from being a PlayStation title, but hear me out when I tell you that it’s not an issue when the game looks beautiful with each level and design of each character to closely resemble their real life counterparts during that time. It may have aged a bit but it wouldn’t be a huge concern

Addictive: 10
Just like the previous game it’s easy to pick up to and rather enjoyable to play for hours on ends. With new game modes for two player and extra features there’s so much replay ability. It holds up well today.


Sound: 10
This is by far one of the best soundtracks of the series. Most songs are memorable from Guerrilla Radio by Rage Against the Machine to When Worlds Collide by Powerman 3000 and Cyclone by Dub Pistols. Sounds and noises are pretty good and they don’t sound muffled at all. Overall it’s a huge upgrade from the previous and the music really are iconic to this game


Story: N/A
Being the winner of the twisted metal- wait wrong game? Oh. In this game there’s really no story


Depth: 10
Now this is the meaty part of the review. This made the previous Tony Hawk game feel like a test game, a beta to say where they had to smooth out the rough edges. They took the formula and turned it into one of the best games to ever graced the PlayStation. The levels are bigger, more skaters, the goals are more difficult.
Compared to the previous Tony Hawk, the stages seem larger, more spread out with no feeling of claustrophobia or many open lands with each level feeling like each object placement feels natural to be a ramp or rail whenever applicable. Like the previous game also, THPS2 features eight levels with two secrets, from the Hangar, School II, Marsielle France, New York, Venice Beach, Skate Street, Philadelphia, and The Bull Ring Mexico. The two secrets being the Chopper Drop and Skate Heaven after completing the requirements needed to unlock such secrets. They each have a personality of their own and each stage do have a secret area to find to shred on and enjoy venturing through the levels
With the stages set of course how are you going to play them? Well there’s always a career mode, which is similar to the previous title but with an overhaul. Instead of collecting goals as “tapes” you are now get paid for doing goals, yet the secret tape is still in the game. There a total of ten goals each in every stage ranging from collecting “SKATE” letters and high scores, ranging from high, pro, and sick scores. One other thing tia collecting cash icons spread throughout the levels and must collect all and complete all goals to 100% the level for a feeling of satisfaction. Instead of completing a certain amount of tasks to unlock a new stage instead you have to collect a certain amount of cash for it. And some levels need medals to unlock which are obtained through competitions (3 total) which you must get 3rd, 2nd, or 1st to get a medal. Place first in every competition and 100% every level to not only get a video as a reward but some extra goodies that are well worth the time spent.
What can you use money for anyways? Like, what also came back are stat upgrades which you have to buy with cash and the best part, you can choose which stat to upgrade from the following: Air, Ollie, Hang Time, Rail Balance, Lip Balance, Switch, Spin. Speed, Landing, and Manual. With the following you can now buy skateboards on the skate shop, each skater having their unique boards and you can now choose boards from one another, choosing your favorite boards from other skaters onto your own. With those options you can also buy tricks from regular Grabs, Flips, Grinds and more to the more fancy tricks of Special Moves.
The skaters return! The original 10 skaters come back with new faces joining them, making a total of 13 skaters, not including the secret skaters (which makes a total of 16 in the PlayStation version). Each skater have their own stance, stats and set of moves which makes them unique to one another and have their strengths and weaknesses among one another. Though one flaw is that with the stats now able to upgrade manually you can easily fix their stats to your liking, somewhat losing their originality in that area later on in the game. It’s not a huge deal but finding the perfect balance does make it easier.
And as for tricks you can flip, grab, grind and new to this game is manuals. Manuals are one of the biggest assets in the game which helps you chain ground tricks and grinds to create larger combos and get scores you never thought you would achieve. The controls feel a lot tighter and more responsive and the fluidity is noticeable. Overall this is truly a remarkable upgrade to the previous installment
Two players. The original game modes are back with Trick Attack, Graffiti, Horse and free skate. The newest game mode, tag, is basically what the mode sounds like. Tag a player and they’re it while you run away from them with a timer set on each player. Whoever reaches zero is the loser. Overall not much to talk about but it does give hours to play.
Create a park and Create a skater are brand new and the latter became a staple of the game while the former comes in and out through later games. With many customization options and settings you can creat your dream skater (which the limited PlayStation offers) or your dream skate parks to skate on and enjoy hours of fun. With the create a skater you can customize move sets, stats, names and clothing. Simple in todays terms but it’s very innovative for its time

Difficult: 8
This isn’t a cake walk by no means. With the introduction of manuals and higher points to be scored this game beefed up the difficulty quite a bit. Obstacles and well hidden objectives makes it a challenge, yet very enjoyable. Scores seem impossible without the use of stat upgrades or major skills to be the best pro skater. Overall it’s difficult, but adaptable

Overall the game itself set the standards for later installments to improve on and it was a gem for the PlayStation and sold so many copies. As for me I played it for endless hours as Rune Glifberg and loved every pixel this game offered. The levels didn’t feel empty, the skaters felt fluid, the challenges helped improve my skills. This is honestly one of the best titles the PlayStation has to offer. The average rating will be a 9.4 and that is a bit of an understatement. My rating will be a 9.8

Overall rating: 9.4
My rating : 9.8