Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD Review - Square Eyed Jak

With their tail between their legs, Robomodo and Activision dropped the flop that was motion control Tony Hawk games. Instead of trying to innovate like the beloved classics of this series roots, instead, they went back to revitalize the roots with a HD Remake. But how does THPSHD compare to the originals?
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#tonyhawk #hawktober #gamereview

[@SquareEyedJak]

BIG DROP MODE: Let me just say that I never actually knew Big Drops could be landed, in this or any other Tony Hawk games that included the "feature." Now obviously if you know that, then a lot of the more bullshit jumps that break this game are a lot more doable. Despite that, I still think it being here is fucking stupid because it's a stupid "feature" that didn't need to exist in these games and the fact that even classic Pro Skater 2 never mentioned it IN GAME (I'm sure it's in the instruction book but funny enough, I never had the instruction book for THPS2) makes it incredibly less likely that majority of players are ever going to figure that out on their own. I wish I'd known about this as I've got more Big Drop mode rants coming down the line, so keep this in mind. Bottom line: it's a stupid addition to the series that should have never made it past THPS2.

[@paulw858]

I was about to comment about the mechanic, but I was going to let you know that it doesn't make the game any less of a travesty. It's trash of the fieriest kind, still. And yes, it's a very stupid mechanic. I think they put it in this game as a further homage to THPS2, but yeah.... it's stupid. And this game is stupid. I hate this game. I'm done. I hate this game.

[@MrRaivokasMagma]

Haha, I knew you could land Big Drops in THPS2, but I never understood logic behind it 😄

[@sansthedevil]

you need to press X quickly before the land

[@eatmeek420]

20 years later hahaha

[@jamesohehir5728]

i swear jak would make an amazing actor

[@rikotheman2629]

Watching this when the legit remake just got announced

[@PHILDEBEAST]

So what's the difference then

[@angelriverasantana7755]

@@PHILDEBEAST much cooler visuals, refined physics based on Neversoft's actual source code, the original roster is all there and all of the classic OSTs are coming back

[@ogziiink3879]

@@PHILDEBEAST it's an actual real remaster

[@hittingtax2670]

If Tony Hawk's pro skater 1 and 2 is not absolutely phenomenal, I'm boycotting skateboarding video games. 😑

[@NikkoNikkoYeet]

And being developed by Vicarious Visions, A Company that has a history with Tony Hawk games and have close relations with Neversoft.

[@Austin-eo4xk]

Who knew 2 years later we'd have a Remake again but this time it was perfection 👌

[@BugsyFoga]

Loved how you could get a real life bum (who's totally not your dad)to appear in your hawktober videos.

[@KARIMENT.]

The physics basically ruined the whole game for me.

[@chrisbrooke5854]

Yeah I found the same. It was like moon physics always on and still trying hit the regular gaps

[@wwemonkey619]

This game was great

[@PhunkieZero]

the physics AND the no online multiplayer. not being able to play with friends in a digitally released game on steam is so bs

[@BigSmoke-xh5hi]

wwemonkey619 are you kidding me?

[@Easelgames]

@@BigSmoke-xh5hi this game is TRASH.. but I still have the platinum on ps3... SHSSS lol

[@RetroRepairs]

"Is the smog in LA really this bad?" Yes, yes it is.

[@MyNameIsEarl42]

What?! I can't hear you over the traffic

[@bigblackdaddyblue]

Honestly, the levels in HD looks nice, but the physics are terrible and they used the wrong engine for this game....I felt disappointed.

[@Courier_333]

1+2 is on unreal so its definitely not the engine

[@SDK2K9]

I'm rewatching this review now that we got a remake of THPS 1 & 2 coming in a few months, and with Vicarious Visions behind the wheel and not Robomodo, I think it will be much a better and more faithful remake then THPS HD. I mean it's been confirmed that nearly every song from the soundtrack for both games will be in the remake and they even got the handling code for the original games from Neversoft too. So we know it's going to control just how the original games did and not how THPS HD controls.

[@Terrtail]

I was kinda relieved to see Vicarious Visions cause they have experience with Tony Hawk games and more importantly, they have experience making great remasters... but I'm still waiting for reviews first before buying, i don't trust Activision

[@vahalo2886]

The recent twitter vids from their account's gameplay already looks more fast paced and fluid compared to the first gameplay preview... I hope the pre order demo is actually good

[@itsmalik904]

I played the demo for THPS 1+2, and it's already better than THPS HD

[@Tw1stTech]

And today we found out: yes they NAILED it! VV for the win with this series! Someone go close Robomodo down for good please

[@SDK2K9]

@@Tw1stTech Actually Robomodo have been defunct since 2016.

[@TiMSKiii]

So glad I found your channel mate love the vids!!

[@SquareEyedJak]

Cheers mate! :)

[@Calham64]

9:01 I like how we can see you trying not to laugh on that outtake. xD

[@BranSnakes]

Aw yeah, tomorrow's episode is going to be a good one!

[@ChadJCooper]

You know you can use ‘x’ to land the Big Drops

[@CTKK3]

Wait really

[@DomtheDemonSlayer]

I think the biggest thing is that the whole skateboard craze was such a cool and distinct thing in the 2000s. Like mostly everything else its a fad that dies at some point and Activision didn't see that. Once again becoming greedy like you said.

[@jamesohehir5728]

I always love jak isn't afraid to use sharp words and phrases to drive home his points

[@davidhazuki]

My three biggest issues with this game at the time were the complete absence of split screen multiplayer, no ability to skip the music track if you don't like it (a feature since the very first game), and no create a park. That could've been great with online level sharing and multiplayer! The only thing I liked about this game was the ability to play as my Xbox 360 avatar.

[@LilShootDawg]

I immediately stopped what I was doing.

[@SquareEyedJak]

That's what i like to hear!

[@-AK-]

Sameeee

[@IISourAyyII]

Idk, I really enjoyed the nostalgia in this HD remake. I had some issues with it, but for $15 I was pleased. Guess that's just me.

[@IISourAyyII]

@@timt183 Yes I did but I was like 12 lol

[@Brandon2940]

Same here. I didn't mind it too much. It was a new THPS for very cheap

[@genkia87]

I remember getting this on the PS3 and getting some fun with it with friends. Despite this however it was immediately obvious that the physics were off. I even remember the rail in School 2 (the one where the Big Drop mechanic occurred as you mentioned) simply would not function at all whenever I would press Triangle. If I had to give this game any credit though, I actually genuinely loved its Soundtrack. I still listen to "Marathon Mansion" in my playlists to this day and part of me wishes some of those songs made its way onto the Vicarious Visions remake. Though, ill take the VV version actually being good over a few missing songs lol.

[@Sixma-ej5vp]

Marathon Mansion was lit! I also have it my own playlist as well.

[@Ranakade]

You are literally the only game reviewer I can relate to with Tony Hawk games and others. I'm glad I came across your channel. :-)

[@TheKogunEnjou]

Never had much of an issue with big drops as I learned to just stay level and hold X, but I thought I sucked at this game just because I was rusty. Watching someone else play it and explain the differences in the controls made me realize that it's just floaty as all hell and there is no momentum.

[@CyrusCageSCWS]

I can't believe Jack didn't realise you can hold X to land big drops despite it being clearly outlined in the tips in the loading screens.. To the point where he released a review complaining about it being a game breaking feature lol

[@jpward01]

9:54 Here is a (possibly) accurate thought Tony had there: Tony: "Okay, so... Break my bones, check... Break the boundary, check... Leave from my contract with Activision - 3 more years?! FUUUUUUUUUUU--!"

[@Sephinova]

I was just watching all of your Tony Hawk reviews to get prepared for this one.

[@DocSkribblez]

"Aw, for FUCK'S SAKE, Tony!"

[@dropthembeats2367]

Loving the reviews man !

[@str00dle97]

great video, however one small correction - it's actually running on Unreal Engine 3, not the THUG 2 engine. probably explains why the game feels like absolute aids, since they had to remake everything from scratch.

[@SquareEyedJak]

Interesting, there could be a chance of misinformation being spread then since that's something I've heard and seen stated for years.

[@sk8ace]

The very first image in this video: "Powered By Unreal Technology" It could have been an actual success if they used the thug2 engine for both HD and 5 lol

[@davidw]

Grym, you are a part of the problem with the spread of misinformation. Reverts were not sold as DLC. They were released for free in a FREE patch update the day before the DLC was released. The game has plenty of it's own faults without the need to harp on things that aren't even true.

[@davidw]

It was originally meant to contain the revert mechanic but was released for free instead.

[@WildSkateboarder]

After seeing your review of this, I’m now 5 times more excited for when you review Pro Skater 5

[@sethblue6555]

I love your content and how much work you put into it. I can tell you spend hours recording and editing.

[@SquareEyedJak]

Tony Hawktober this year was almost 4 months of work, so thanks! :)

[@therealrockstargamer]

​@@SquareEyedJak I'm shocked that you met Tony hawk I wanted to meet him too. Did you actually get him to sign your games and your skateboard?

[@michaelsmyth6557]

The avoid the Big Drop you just hold the Ollie button before landing and you can roll away safely, in the tricks and tips loading screen it tells you that.

[@BroNraptor]

11:32 Now Tony Hawk has literally become... the Birdman. XD

[@Rrodfer]

Great work! I love your videos!!

[@superjew837]

I thought something was wrong when the video started without any kind of intro, but then I got the joke

[@shpadoinkle906]

Great reviews man!

[@cossrabales9093]

Dude gotta dude throw dude a dude dude in dude there dude

[@e93sports80]

11:32 made me laugh so hard

[@e93sports80]

Wow. You actually hearted my comment. Wasn't expecting that. I'm still grateful though. Thanks.

[@n1njahawkssecondchannel84]

I laughed so hard First time watching this part

[@motionssensed]

Fantastic vid. Subbed

[@shadowwolfgaming4052]

I was just wondering when the next review was gonna be up. Eating my dinner and watching it right now. :) i couldnt wait for this today

[@shadowwolfgaming4052]

This is by far the worst hd remake ive ever seen for a game. Its just awful.

[@MrMegaMario64]

Excited to see Pro Skater 5 tomorrow since I played the 4th game a good bit and enjoyed. Keep it up man

[@whoisneon6492]

Was JUST wondering where this upload was! *opens snacks*

[@itratabbas7669]

HOW DO YOU NOT HAVE MORE SUBSCRIBERS WTH

[@SimplyShayne]

Another spicy review, as always. Also, you should review the THUG Pro mod for THUG 2.

[@Easelgames]

As bad as this remaster was, I still grinded for it. Got the platinum when it came out. Most infuriating thing in a long time. Especially perfecting Downhill Jam. Oh my GOODNESS.

[@cssplayer91]

Is there any way to get this game on ps3? It was pulled out of the playstation store and i really wanted to buy it😔

[@bizzles44]

Papa square eyes is back! 😂

[@MyNamesNotLars1]

I remember when this was released during the 2012 "XBox Summer of Arcade" and how hyped and pushed it was by MS. Time flies!

[@PopSituation]

Your reaction to this game is pure priceless! The big drop rant was beyond!

[@koalrobertson183]

you've just got me really wanting to play Pro Skater 3 now, thanks.

[@SquareEyedJak]

Bust it out, better than this shit!

[@AzraelDarkness64Gaming]

Never click on this video so fast my life great Job Jak your doing Awesome

[@RyuNoZero]

don't you land Big Drop Jumps by holding the Jump Button when you drop ?

[@rasmuskarlsson2906]

Hyped for the next 15 minutes!

[@EmperorDank]

Hell ye

[@DeevDaRabbit]

Thanks for taking my suggestion. My reaction was, *clap* "YES! He did the video I asked him to do! Let's watch it." I think you should do a video on the Rayman series sometime in the future. If you play Rayman 2, I suggest the Sega Dreamcast version. Maybe also do the Pac-Man World franchise. You're a funny man, and I think you deserve a lot more recognition. Just to remind you, if KZbin ever gets on your ass about your swearing, just bleep the words. Problem solved.

[@gtaato]

9:01 KILLED ME 😂😂

[@samsiam3798]

I enjoy watching your videos, but would enjoy seeing your review on the THPS1+2 remake

[@e93sports80]

He already reviewed that game.

[@thedogoffaleash]

I remember when this came out. I was so excited and hopeful that if it did well the series might come back. I bought it day one and played warehouse for literally like 5 minutes and turned the game off and never touched it again. This game made me more furious than probably any other game ever. Shouldn't exist, and honestly Robomoto should be fucking ashamed.

[@Soundwaves329]

This made my day.

[@dereknight861]

2012: Robomodo: OK let’s fucking slap this together and call it a day “pro Skater HD” 2020: Vicarious visions: Cmon we brought Crash Bandicoot Back! We can SURELY bring back the SKATEBOARD GENRE!! “Pro Skater 1 + 2” God I’ll be eating my boot if this doesn’t pan out.

[@DoswarePictures]

Luckily you won’t have to eat your boot.

[@Sixma-ej5vp]

2022: Activision: Oh did you like our newest Tony Hawk game? Guess what, we're not making anymore Tony Hawk games. You'll just have to wait another ten years to play the next Tony Hawk game.

[@mattwolf7698]

There must be a wildfire going in near Venice Beach.

[@Lilpresh42069]

Also about the big drop meter, i believe if you hold a certain button (I think it was x) you could land those

[@barneythedino8861]

love the series! glad ive been a fan for about a year now

[@SquareEyedJak]

Cheers mate!

[@SirCrackerBulb]

Man that "oh well" I felt that

[@noideac]

you do know you can negate the big drops by pressing X/A as you land right

[@chrisbrooke5854]

I like the bit where you say Marseilles. At least that's what I think you were going for.

[@The_Gamerboy]

(just commenting on a random Pro Skater video) I hope Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 and 2 was thought about a lot and I hope they watched your videos on what needs to be.I agree with everything that you have said about Tony Hawk's Pro Skater all the way to the first game to the last game.

[@azraelentertainment3178]

Hell yeah, third midnight in a row (because in my country it's midnight right now) me and my family are celebrating Tony Hawktober, we've even got popcorn and shit:D This is already one of the greatest family pastimes I've ever experienced. Cheers, man, to great content on your channel:>

[@SquareEyedJak]

Glad to hear it ahaha, cheers mate! :D

[@wilbourke4188]

Mum can we have Pro Skater 1&2? Mum: we have THPS1&2 at home THPS1&2 at home: Pro Skater HD

[@ToastyMann]

1:19 This aged well

[@NewGabeOrder]

Just press the Ollie button at the right time upon landing you might as well get a big drop landing recovery bonus.

[@skimaskedabi]

The smog in LA is indeed really like that

[@rasmuskarlsson2906]

Can't you avoid bailing when landing from big drops by holding the ollie button in the HD version?

[@SquareEyedJak]

Is that a thing? Like an actual programmed thing or an exploitable glitch?

[@rasmuskarlsson2906]

Not sure, but I think it's supposed to work that way. According to the wiki you can also land in a manual (or a grind, which is kind of obvious). Only learnt it years after playing the originals on PS1, and I don't see how you're supposed to figure that out on your own. Edit: "In all games where the big drop is present apart from THPSHD, players would actually earn points for landing big drops."

[@SquareEyedJak]

Yeah the grinds help... if there is something there to grind. I couldn't even hit the rail in the warehouse without issue so, fuck knows what they were thinking with this.

[@PHILDEBEAST]

So what is the difference between this and the recently announced Tony hawk Pro skater 1 + 2 for PS4 and Xbox one

[@EthanChase]

Vicarious Visions made it not Robomodo

[@Atri4]

Good review. I kinda don't have anything special to say. It's all just good Hawktober quality content. Although I have a question: Please tell me we get to see more of your dad in THT?

[@deathhimself3496]

I played this on my ps3 and when the big drop comes up on the screen, you can hold the x button to not get effected by it.

[@KARIMENT.]

Will the last video be on thug pro?

[@fizzpeakgamer1318]

Ds games or pro skater 2x

[@sonicpulse535]

2:12 You slammed it hard, that's all I needed to hear for my vote.

[@Qwarktastic]

Gotta love hawktober :)

[@CheddarVG]

It seems worth mentioning that all of the DLC levels from Pro Skater 3, Canada, Airport and Los Angeles, were the ones that were brought back in Underground 2. In HD, they seem to have lost all the fun they previously had in those two prior games.

[@skatewraith]

Loving that Tony Hawkktober skateboard Dude!!!!

[@spadedonemcdysentery2493]

Oh my god.... I just realized it’s Tony Hawktober next month......

[@EmperorDank]

Seriously, the bum is probably the most hillarious fuckin thing ive seen in a very long time anywhere lmao, just cant get enough of him

[@loli42]

4:35 - THPS HD wasn't built from the THUG2 engine, they used Unreal Engine 3 (because everyone is an incompetent mobile game developer and no studio makes their own tech anymore). They did, however, have the THUG2 source code to look at, which they must not have fucking done because the game feels like complete shit and nothing like THUG2.

[@SquareEyedJak]

That must be where a lot of the wires are being crossed. I've always heard "THUG2 engine" but clearly, someone somewhere got the source code mixed up and since, misinformation has been thoroughly spread. Thanks for the clarification! :)

[@TimGaukerToons]

Man, I was initially interested in this after reading about it, but that big drop mechanic really hurts! Why’s it so restrictive? It’s obvious the devs don’t want you to have fun... there must be a fan made PC Patch to fix all of this mess. Tony breaks his spine in Canada, ouch!

[@SquareEyedJak]

It's fucking weird that even after it was removed originally for being shit, they'd bring it back in any shape or form!

[@TimGaukerToons]

Square Eyed Jak Just because you’re remaking something, doesn’t mean you have to bring back the flawed aspects of it, those need to be fixed or taken out and that’s the reason why I’m glad perfect runs were only relegated to colored gems in Crash 1 N. Sane.

[@Mafon2]

He just doesn't know that you can actually land it. It's just an additional reaction check, like balancing manual. You have to press "jump" button before landing to compensate the impact.

[@wickedishiccy7621]

Glad I missed out on this one

[@WestOfLee100]

The face in the SEJ logo just speaks to me.

[@paultaylor_yt3577]

Isn't the whole point of remakes or remaster (whichever you prefer) to improve the game not only graphics wise but also to improve what was wrong with the original? Not this game apparently....I just hate it when money is the real reason behind these remasters... what happened to the days when games (actual good games) used to be good? Now it's all about unfinished bullshit and then have DLC that costs money. *Sigh* Loved the video man, I'm gonna play Tony Hawk's Pro Skater! lol :D

[@CumaruNaegiXD]

same thing with burnout paradise remastered.

[@hadinasrallah8928]

nice way to turn it all around while describing the controls

[@wallybonejengles5595]

12:23 is the the bike race track from Bully? You cheeky devil

[@Crashfan97879]

Damn...And I thought Jak got pissy about Shred. Well, given the fact that this basically shits on the golden games of old, I don't blame ya, man. But great video none the less. Always a pleasure to hear you roar. ;)

[@KendallMcNeilClark]

"Mer-say-lee" holy fucking shit. Mar-say.

[@Killagoose77]

I remember really never hearing anything about this game until a few weeks after its release, and even then I was extremely skeptical, only to realize my skepticism was pretty much right. It's a shame, but at least we still have the old games to enjoy.

[@Wrathchild1995]

Ahh I remember this game :P Always wanted to try it out, but I've heard so many bad reviews about it. It looks nice, but apparently like Pro Skater 5 it's glitchy and broken.

[@ahmdsalih3909]

I can't wait for 100 episode ^_^ is going to be so good

[@bluecheesewithwings2105]

Take my nostalgia dollars

[@ThirdEyeVision47]

Great Review, Comin From A HardCore Skater 🤘🏽👁🛹

[@Gameboy-Unboxings]

Could anyone tell me why even though I bought this game on Xbox live back in the day, it's no where to be found on my account?? It really pisses me off cause I don't get how they can take something that I paid for..

[@katmarie7102]

I hate the big drop mode too, but I feel like a LOT of people here don't realize that when you're doing a big drop you have to hold the ollie button or you will crash. So on levels like Downhill Jam you can still do those big gaps and drops if you press X (not sure what it is on XBox) when you are landing. The wonky physics are really annoying at times, like when I am trying to grind a ledge and instead I shoot 100 feet into the air, but if they only fixed that the game would be so much better.

[@chrissavage5298]

The Shadow of the Colossus remake is a thing of beauty though

[@TemplesPagoda]

I absolutely loved Underground on the PS2 and Underground 2 on the PSP, my 2 favorites, and I absolutely loved Project 8 on the 360

[@pikawesome1]

good stuff.

[@UltimatePerfection]

Let's hope this year's remake will be better and more in line with THPS2X.

[@n1njahawkssecondchannel84]

THPS 1+2 is so worth the money

[@justmetal227]

THPS Remake 1+2 is a huge contender for best in series right up there with 3 I love it