Tony Hawk's Underground 2 is likely to satisfy fans of the wide-open gameplay found in its predecessor, as well as the old-school devotees of earlier Pro Skater titles.
THUG 2 continues the trend of the last few Hawk games of moving away from twitch-based gameplay in favor of goal-orientated, GTA-style missions. Each level gives players a list of objectives that can be completed in any order in exchange for points. Earn enough points, and a new area opens up. Story mode has been revamped to feel more like an episode of Viva La Bam, with many of the goals focusing on outrageous stunts and wanton destruction, but overall, this is the same tried-and-true that's been around since Tony 4.
The nicest surprise in THUG 2 is the return of the classic mode. This mode returns to the timed, twitch-based goals of the first three Hawk titles. There are even a few classic levels thrown in for good measure from previous games, including what may be the finest level in Hawk history, Tony 3's Canada.
Graphically, the game holds up quite well on all platforms, though the look this year is a bit more cartoonish than previous games, and character models are heavily exaggerated. The sound effects are spot-on as usual, and THUG 2 has one of the broadest musical showcases in series history – have you ever tried skating to Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire? How about Frank Sinatra's That's Life? You will here.
Overall, THUG 2 does a commendable job of striking a happy medium between progression of the series and satisfying fans of the twitch-reflex gameplay that made it famous in the first place. While certain elements still need work, such as the off-board controls and the vehicles, this is a game that almost any armchair skater should be happy with.
-George
Create an Account
Member Login
