OFFICIAL Tony Hawk 4 Reviews/Impressions Thread

[Mike_AA]

The reviews are startin' to come out. Gamers.com (http://www.gamers.com) gave it a 10, IGN (http://www.ign.com) gave it a low to mid 9 (depending on your system) and Gamespot (http://www.gamespot.com) gave it also a low to mid 9. Simply put, all 3 reviews mentioned how amazing the series still is even with the little additions. Sounds good to me.

Hopefully someone picks this one up tomorrow or soon and can post some impressions. I for one am swamped with work and will have to put aside Tony for a week or so...bummer.

[Gallant Pig]

I'm really surprised this series continues to get accolades (TH3 got really high scores too) since it does so little to reinvent itself. I really wish someone would try and compete with it like the snowboarding titles compete with each other.

[MasterofDVD]

I was SO excited for this game.....till I ran out of money.

With my new XBOX and games and then Vice City I'll be lucky if I can afford gas here soon. :D

Actaully time is more a factor than money. I'm spreading myself too thin as it is and I know if I played this I'd be hooked. I will certainly rent it ASAP but I can't see buying till after the new year when the snow is here and I'm bored stupid at home.

[Mike_AA]

You can get Vice City, THPS4 and another free PS2 game for $100 at Amazon. What a deal.

THPS3 got the highest reviews of the series and rightfully so...it was freakin' amazing and virtually flawless. Although I played the hell out of 3 to shreds I didn't own it, so #4 has my name written all over it.

Neversoft is one developer I don't mind raping me $50 for a $5 disc. It's always that damn good.

[MasterofDVD]

I did the buy 2 get 1 free deal for the XBOX and if I do it again I'm pretty sure my wife will use my XBOX and PS2 to beat me to death.

I have 8 new XBOX games and Vice coming. If I think out lod about getting one more I could very well lose them all in a divorce. ;)

I'll have to read the reviews cause I hope the online portion of the game is good. That's what made me hold out and not get 3.

[Aghama]

Originally posted by Gallant Pig
I'm really surprised this series continues to get accolades (TH3 got really high scores too) since it does so little to reinvent itself. I really wish someone would try and compete with it like the snowboarding titles compete with each other. I remember EGM gave THPS3 some ridiculously high score for ingenuity, and when I brought it up people tried to rationalize it. *shrug*

[Lastblade]

Another sequel, yawn.

[Adam Tyner]

What's the 'official' release date? Amazon sez "not yet released", EBGames.com lists the 24th or 29th for the XBox version (depending on the page), CompUSA.com says the 25th, and GameStop.com claims it ships in 24 hours, though none of the local stores have any copies. The usual gaming sites haven't posted the expected "it's shipped!" updates either.

[noonan4224]

XBOX version got delayed a week. New release date is 10/30. Looks like I'll have to wait a little longer to play this game.

[Aghama]

I wish they would have kept the trick list from the second one. I've been sitting on the fence, but I just heard that Eddie \m/ is one of the skaters, so I think I'll have to get it now.

[mtucker]

Another sequel, yay!

[tha_dvd_man]

Originally posted by Mike_AA
THPS3 got the highest reviews of the series and rightfully so...it was freakin' amazing and virtually flawless. Although I played the hell out of 3 to shreds I didn't own it, so #4 has my name written all over it.

Neversoft is one developer I don't mind raping me $50 for a $5 disc. It's always that damn good. I have to disagree. I thought at times the game's "expansive" levels in fact hurt the level design, making the levels not as tightly designed for the type of gameplay as they could have been. I also thought there was way too much "go here and collect this and do that". This is a trick-based game, not a platformer. I felt there were way too many platforming elements to the game, and for a game with this kind of controls and is supposedly an 'Xtreme sports' game based on pulling off tricks, it just didn't fit into the game properly. A poor attempt at innovation that ultimately hurt the core gameplay IMO. That combined with the more "adventurous" levels made me think the developers didn't really have their priorities straight when it came to design and didn't know exactly what kind of game they were trying to make. Adding new elements to a game does not automatically = better game.

That said, I'll probably just end up buying THPS2X instead of TH4, especially since it's a lot cheaper.

[BigDaddy]

I just talked to EB in Round Rock and they have it in stock for the Xbox. :)

[Mike_AA]

The game was shipped everywhere yesterday and should be in stores today or tomorrow.

Boo yah. Now I just need to find some free time...

[Corky Roxbury]

I am leaving right now to go pcik it up for ps2 will let you know how it is guys.

[Adam Tyner]

Originally posted by noonan4224
XBOX version got delayed a week. New release date is 10/30. Looks like I'll have to wait a little longer to play this game. ...or not. No shortage of copies of TH4 for the XBox at the local EB....

[tha_dvd_man]

Local Sam Goody has copies for each system as well.

[darkside]

Just picked up the Xbox version of this game today and damn I am impressed. You can just freeskate the levels if you want or talk to people to get your objectives which are timed. You also collect and earn money to unlock cheats, hidden characters, and hidden levels among other things.

The trick system isn't drastically changed with only the spine transfers and skitchin the cars added, but the game is as fun to play as ever. I'm loving it.

I played the demo of it on PS2 and the Xbox version looks much better. I have run into a few tough goals, but its nice that you can skip them now and come back to them later.

[darkside]

For those curious the hidden skaters I can see so far are

Jango Fett, Eddie from Iron Madden, and Mike Valley.

I've unlocked the first five levels so far. I'm having fun, but some of the objectives are super hard. Lots of challenge in this game.

[darkside]

I've unlocked everything I know of, but Chicago now. The Carnival level is my favorite so far.

Am I the only one playing this game right now. :)

[Mike_AA]

Yup.

Give me a week or so.

[mrlumpy]

I'm going to pick it up after my weekend in Vegas.

That is if I don't loose all of my money :)

I was sure tempted to pick it up when I was at the mall last night, though...

[Corky Roxbury]

darkside: I have been playing it for a couple of hours now, I have unlocked the first five levels even though I have only played the first 3. I can't beat the medal comp. in each level but every thing else I beat, I played with JF, but did not save it because I want to buy a secert level, have you got enought money yet(100,000) to buy the girl secert character.

[Aghama]

I'll probably pick this up on Sunday when TRU starts their 3 for 2 promotion in-store.

For those who don't know: Unlock Rodney Mullen's video ASAP, because he's *&%ing amazing.

[Gallant Pig]

I'm surprised Mike Valley is unlockeable, can you use his elephant skateboard?

[Mike_AA]

Watch those spoilers ya f'in idiots for those of us who haven't picked it up yet :D

[TeeSeeJay]

Has it been mentioned that the XBox version carries the "720p HDTV" indicator?

I don't have the HD Av Pack yet so I haven't checked it out.

[RichC2]

Actually I was going to ask about the 720p thing, does it also support 480p or is it 720p only? if it's 720 only, I'm screwed (My TV supports 480p, 960i and 1080i, and being our cable is in 1080i, it hasn't been a problem. And yeah, the manual specifically says (for the TV) "Does not support 720p."))

Nice to see they're amping it up a bit though, and I'm sure it looks phenomenal in 720p.

Note: I know I can just use standard AV, but c'mon :P

[Corky Roxbury]

Well Richc2, I believe all xbox games that are going to be 720p. can be played in 480p, I bought it for the ps2 and it looks 100 times better than TH3, so even at 480p it should look great. and it does say HDTV-720p on the box. I can't test it because I am waiting tpo buy the Sony Grand Wega II 50 incher, so then I will get the xbox version of the game. The "open ended" gameplay is where this game shines, you can just free skate for hours looking at the levels and pulling off tricks, and the mini games are great way to raise more money. and how can you resist a blood code.

[darkside]

I've unlocked all the levels and the two secret ones you can buy, but other than free skating I'm kind of losing interest.

I've lost interest in the goals. I've done 75 so far, but most of the remaining ones are just too difficult to bother with. Its obvious Neversoft thought the previous games were too easy, because the difficulty in this game has really been moved up. I'm really questioning whether I will keep it or return it for something else. I've pretty much done everything I can at this point so I may move on to something else.

[Aghama]

Originally posted by darkside

Its obvious Neversoft thought the previous games were too easy, because the difficulty in this game has really been moved up. Okay, I'm definitely getting it now. 3 was a cakewalk.

[darkside]

Originally posted by Aghama
Okay, I'm definitely getting it now. 3 was a cakewalk.

I just want to meet someone who can do some of these goals without a perfect rail and manual cheat. I like to think I'm pretty good at this (I thought 3 was a cake walk as well) but I'm unable to do many of the objectives. Some you have to hold your rail balance and manual balance so long that it seems nearly impossible without a cheat.

I think the main thing is learning the kickflip out of the manual back into a manual trick. This is the easiest way to keep a manual going forever, but I've never been good enough at it.

If you want a challenge though this is definetly the game to get.

[Mike_AA]

Good, the last game was challenging, but it still wasn't the hardest thing in the world. Hell, THPS is one game I don't mind a challenge...it'll only make me better.

Darkside, looks like you've dominated this game in under 20 hours...take a break or somethin' man, don't kill it. ;)

[darkside]

Originally posted by Mike_AA
Good, the last game was challenging, but it still wasn't the hardest thing in the world. Hell, THPS is one game I don't mind a challenge...it'll only make me better.

Darkside, looks like you've dominated this game in under 20 hours...take a break or somethin' man, don't kill it. ;)

Sometimes I get carried away with trying to unlock everything. I still want to get to $100,000 so I can see who the 4th secret character is.

I've spent some time putting together some new music soundtrack mixes to skate to. I was getting tired of the music in the game. I probably will take some time away with GT:Vice City coming out and then come back to try some of the goals again.

[Aghama]

Hmm, the new soundtracks are a good point. I'll have to rethink getting the xbox version.

[Icculus]

Originally posted by Aghama
Hmm, the new soundtracks are a good point. I'll have to rethink getting the xbox version.

That and the progressive scan are the two plusses for the xbox version but in the end I decided to buy it for PS2 for the online play and because I prefer the controller for this type of game. The music in THPS games always gets old, but it's not like there's anything in the sound effects that you need to hear so I usually just listen to something else.

[Aghama]

When I get a progressive scan capable TV I will no longer be playing this game. I definitely prefer the PS2 controller for it, but I'm not sure how much I'd use online play...usually my friends and I play just variations on H-O-R-S-E.

[Gallant Pig]

Any particular reason given for the Xbox *not* to have Online?

[Aghama]

Why have a lot of Xbox games been coming out that don't have online support? Developers don't want to spend the time on an onilne strategy that isn't available yet and doesn't have near the number of potential users as the PS2s. That will probably change next year.

[tha_dvd_man]

Originally posted by Aghama
Why have a lot of Xbox games been coming out that don't have online support? Developers don't want to spend the time on an onilne strategy that isn't available yet and doesn't have near the number of potential users as the PS2s. That will probably change next year. There are already well over a hundred thousand people signed up for just Live beta, and developers don't have to worry about the server side of online gaming with Live like they do with PS2 online games.

[Aghama]

Still, Tony Hawk 5 will be coming out next year, why spent the time now when you're not going to reap huge benefits?

[Mike_AA]

As cool as that XBOX soundtrack is, the game was/is made for the PS2 controller.

Hopefully controlling the GC version doesn't suck.

[Gallant Pig]

Mike, I'm sure it would work fine with "S", no?

[Corky Roxbury]

darkside, were you able to beat the part on the second board where you have to manual over the boards then jump the gap and then back to a manual. That is the hardest trick so far for me, I think I broke my controller after throwing on the ground, when I tried that part about 100 times. I have the money to unlock the secret levels, but I also want the $100,000 to see who the "hot chick"

I hope there is more than just 4 secret characters, and more levels but probably not.

[darkside]

Originally posted by Corky Roxbury
darkside, were you able to beat the part on the second board where you have to manual over the boards then jump the gap and then back to a manual. That is the hardest trick so far for me, I think I broke my controller after throwing on the ground, when I tried that part about 100 times. I have the money to unlock the secret levels, but I also want the $100,000 to see who the "hot chick"

I hope there is more than just 4 secret characters, and more levels but probably not.

No I wasn't. Luckily I haven't broken anything yet. My friend who is better at these games was able to beat the first goals and get to the Pro goals which he said are a total b***h. One thing I didn't realize is once you beat all the goals you go through and finish a mission with each skater and the game is over and you can change skaters whenever you want since you are using them all. There is no going through all the goals again with each skater unless you start a new career. Also it seems there are no extras besides the ones already available to buy. No perfect balance cheat and no other hidden levels.

Kind of a shorter but harder version of the TH series.

The fourth hidden character is named Daisy and is voiced by porn star Jenna Jamison.

BTW I think it plays fine with the xbox controller, but it does suck doing spine transfers by pushing down L&R at the same time since this also will make your skater spin a bit and crash on landings. The PS2 has a separate button for this and they are much easier to land.

[Corky Roxbury]

darkside, how did you get enough money for the 4th charcacter after buying the two secret levels, I only have like 19,000. and I already beat 60/190 objectives. That is cool about who does the voice for the fourth character, I figured it was her. She is in Gta:VC also.

[darkside]

Originally posted by Corky Roxbury
darkside, how did you get enough money for the 4th charcacter after buying the two secret levels, I only have like 19,000. and I already beat 60/190 objectives. That is cool about who does the voice for the fourth character, I figured it was her. She is in Gta:VC also.

I didn't unlock her yet. I found out from a VG newsgroup. I've still got a long way to go for $100,000 which I think you have to collect before she is unlockable.

[Aghama]

I've barely played it, but already I'm liking the new career mode. And the gap list is back!

But is there any way to autosave?

[Lokimok]

I don't know if this is the place for this, but I see in today's ads that Circuit City will give you a free t-shirt if you buy the game or Target will give you a $5 giftcard.

[xmiyux]

I'm really enjoying the game (GC version) but i'm honestly not a fan of the new career mode setup (free-skating and doing objectives when you like). I also really dislike the fact that you accomplish a goal with one character and it is cleared for all of them - to me this really cuts down on the replay value. I super hope there are more than 3-4 secret characters just because the ones i've heard about don't sound nearly as cool as all the ones from TH2 and TH3 - especially considering the sheer number of characters in TH3. *sigh* Well hopefully they at least put lots of skate videos in.

I also abhor the system of buying all the extras with $ you pick up in the levels. I don't like seeing exactly how many cheats, levels, and characters there are from the beginning. Let's hope the game does pull some suprises on us.

[Adam Tyner]

Originally posted by xmiyux
I also really dislike the fact that you accomplish a goal with one character and it is cleared for all of them - to me this really cuts down on the replay value.

Goals are associated with careers, not characters. You can always start another career with another character...

[darkside]

Let's hope the game does pull some suprises on us.


From what I've heard there are no other extras besides the ones you can see already for sale. Someone I met at EB today said he had cleared the whole game but all it gives you is the video for each skater when you clear their mission at the end. No other hidden levels or skaters. Also, to finish your career you do a mission for each skater and unlock their video. Kind of kills any interest in starting over and doing a whole new career for me.

[Mike_AA]

xmiyux - hows the control for the GC version? Difficult at all?

'Cause I hoping to get some good Wavebird action goin'.

[Aghama]

After clearing the first 3 games with maybe 2 or 3 characters, it got to be a real chore. I'm glad they did away with that mind numbing repetition.

[Gallant Pig]

Aghama, you and i are on the same page regarding TH3, how does this compare?

[Aghama]

I agree that the extra characters aren't as cool as 2 or 3. Eddie could have looked a lot cooler.

GP: The levels are large and very cool. There are twice as many goals per level and many of them are much more interesting than in previous games. For example, in Alcatraz you have to help a prisoner escape by collecting these "tools" in a minute. Which is pretty stupid, but what it boils down to is racing through the level on a difficult route. These are the kind of goals they promised for 3, but IMO didn't deliver.

I'd say it wipes the floor with 3, but I'll have to play longer to see how it ends up comparing with 2.

[Gallant Pig]

Thanks, more questions: are the levels "skating" levels, like places where skaters actually would skate (French pool park in TH2), or are they in places like a haunted house or inside an airport (TH3)?

Can you just give a quick rundown of the levels so far? Is long distance grinding (kinda like Jet Set Radio) emphasized?

[Cornfed]

Originally posted by Aghama
I'll probably pick this up on Sunday when TRU starts their 3 for 2 promotion in-store.

For those who don't know: Unlock Rodney Mullen's video ASAP, because he's *&%ing amazing.

Here's a silly question, how do I unlock his video? Do I need to 100% every level including carnival and Chicago? Is this video even better than the one in THPS3?

[Corky Roxbury]

Darkside, I have beat 75 objectives so far but then it says I need like 20 something more pro points, but then it says I have completed 75/190, what are all of the other obejctives it does add up, is their like 100 pro missions.

[xmiyux]

Originally posted by Mike_AA
xmiyux - hows the control for the GC version? Difficult at all?

'Cause I hoping to get some good Wavebird action goin'.

I thought the controls were good - granted i've only played the TH's on a GC and a DC but i do really like the GC controller and had no problems adapting to it. It should be killer with a wavebird though.

[Aghama]

GP: The levels are College, San Fran, Alcatraz, Kona skate park, Shipyard, London, Zoo, Carnival, and Chicago. You're not likely to see many skateboarders at the zoo or Alcatraz, but the levels aren't as outlandish as 3. They're all outdoor (I hated how cramped 3 felt) with lines a plenty. One type of objective is to collect the letters "COMBO", while doing one continuous combo, and this usually involves a lot of grinding & manualing.

Cornfed: At the time I assume videos were unlocked in the same way as the original. You're much farther along in the game than I.

[darkside]

Originally posted by Corky Roxbury
Darkside, I have beat 75 objectives so far but then it says I need like 20 something more pro points, but then it says I have completed 75/190, what are all of the other obejctives it does add up, is their like 100 pro missions.

Once you get all the goals met the first time out it will add an additional 5 Pro goals on every level. That plus the mission you have to complete for each skater will add up to the 190. I've gotten to the Pro goals, but have taken a break.

BTW, I ended up needing to cheat to get through some of the goals. The Slo-Mo mode is a great way to get through tough goals. You have time to react and nail your manuals and reverts.

[mrlumpy]

I didn't see this posted yet, but Fry's B&M Stores have THPS4 PS2 for $34.99. I just picked one up.

I tried to pricematch Best Buy first (it's not as far of a drive) but they said that the game will not be released until 10/31.

Chumps.

(oops...eddited to correct "THPS2" to say "THPS4".)

[DVD Lamer]

THPS4 = SOS

[Aghama]

You're right, it's an awesome skateboarding game, just like its predecessors.

[Mike_AA]

Is it only for $35 for the PS2 version? Maybe I could pricematch it and then "return it" saying I got it for the wrong system?

[edstein]

Who is the hot chick in the neversoft home videos? She has an awsome set of trucks. :drool:

[mrlumpy]

Originally posted by Mike_AA
Is it only for $35 for the PS2 version? Maybe I could pricematch it and then "return it" saying I got it for the wrong system?

Yep, the Fry's ad from yesterday (10/28) has only the PS2 version listed at $34.99. Then again, I didn't actually look at the x-Box or GC sections when I was there to double check the price for those systems. It wouldn't have mattered anyway, though, as Fry's has one of the worst records for having the actual price tagged on the shelf (i.e. THPS4 had a sale sign for $39.99, but still rang up at $34.99).

Why do I feel like I am already halfway through the game after playing it for one night? I really hope it isn't that short.

[Aghama]

It isn't an exceptionally long game, but it's a helluva a lot longer than one run through was in any of the previous ones. Plus the difficulty ramps up...some of the pro challenges are crazy.

[TeeSeeJay]

Do we know yet if there's any hidden bonuses? Seems there's got to be something in there -- for hitting all the gaps, for instance.

I completed one of the pro challenges yesterday -- I was using a custom skater, so don't know whose pro challenge it was. Possibly margera's.

[Aghama]

I thought the customs skater had his/her own challenge?

I'd be surprised if there wasn't a reward for getting all the gaps, but it might not be much more than a movie or something. Private Carrera was okay in 2, but of course not nearly as cool as playing with Spidey.

[TeeSeeJay]

Originally posted by Aghama
I thought the customs skater had his/her own challenge?

I'd be surprised if there wasn't a reward for getting all the gaps, but it might not be much more than a movie or something. Private Carrera was okay in 2, but of course not nearly as cool as playing with Spidey.

I dunno. guess it could be a challenge unique to the custom skater. I was just assuming that it was borrowed from one of the pros.

[uteotw]

I love this game and am glad to have it after enjoying THPS3 for over a year now (and 2 before that). It's great having new (and bigger) levels and I like the variety of challenges. The graphics don't really seem improved and the soundtrack annoys me, but all in all it's a top-notch game...

[TeeSeeJay]

There's enough little differences in the game to make it stand out. Control-wise, anyway.

1. Spine Transfers are pretty neat, but not revolutionary.

2. Stringing tricks together is a little different, and easier. In 3 you could 50-50 grind with Y, then do Up-Y to switch over to a nosegrind, then up-up-Y into a nosebluntslide. In 4, you can switch between any of 9 grinds using button presses while keeping your balance with the D-Pad. Ditto for manuals, making flatland combos pretty cool-looking instead of ollieing from one manual trick to another (if you had them mapped as specials). Lip tricks get the same treatment.

3. Nailing different air tricks is different, too. Instead of left-left-left-X to hit a triple kickflip, it's Left-X-X-X. Hit B twice to get a different grab trick. This takes some getting used to, but puts a lot more tricks in your bag of ... uh ... tricks.

4. Reverts are a lot less forgiving than in 3. The window of opportunity to hit the revert in 4 is narrower. Getting the revert-to-manual commands out require much more control articulation than it did in 3.

5. Many of goals are very combo-based, and not just the "collect C-O-M-B-O" goals. Most of the "collect x number of these things" goals give you like 5 seconds on the clock, requiring you to use a single combo without explicitly saying so.

[Aghama]

IMO, the big thing about spind transfers isn't really that you can go from one half pipe to another, but rather that you can avoid bailing if you drift off a half pipe. I really like that convenience.

[slop101]

This game is really hard right off the bat - not so much for me, but could you imagine if someone's never played Tony Hawk before and #4 is their first one? They would get their ass haded to them.

[Gallant Pig]

Damn Blockbuster has this guaranteed or its free, but damnit they always have at least one in. :mad: Soon you shall be mine :D

[El Scorcho]

Anyone figured out what the hell they want when it comes to the manual combo on the flat train in the shipyards?

[Aghama]

Jump onto the first cart and manual. Rinse repeat.

[El Scorcho]

Yeah I just did that.. even said manual+manual+manual+manual and still no dice.

[JoshUnt]

This took me a few tries, make sure to manual the whole thing start to finish. I started my manual before I got onto it.

[edstein]

Anyone nail that 500,000 point combo on the carnival level? My best single combo is 100,000.

[El Scorcho]

Son of a bitch, the Pro goal for Tony Hawk on the college level is a pain in the ass.

[JoshUnt]

edstein:
I did the 500,000 combo. All I have left are the Pro goals(which I have not tried yet) and the 100,000 flatland trick in Chicago. The flat and trick seems to be a pain. Anyone else notice it is harder to score 1,000,000 in THPS4 then 3?

[Aghama]

Originally posted by DTSC
Yeah I just did that.. even said manual+manual+manual+manual and still no dice. It's finicky. I tried doing a manual up the slope of the front, but most of the time it slows you way down. It's probably the most poorly done goal in the game.

[mrlumpy]

Originally posted by JoshUnt
edstein:
I did the 500,000 combo. All I have left are the Pro goals(which I have not tried yet) and the 100,000 flatland trick in Chicago. The flat and trick seems to be a pain. Anyone else notice it is harder to score 1,000,000 in THPS4 then 3?

No kidding. I must have tried to get a 100K flatland combo for an hour last night before giving up. The best I could get was 85k.

Wait until you get to the pro goals. Some of them are very fun.

Speaking of Chicago, though, where the heck is the "T" when spelling "S-K-A-T-E"? I have found the rest of the letters, but the T eludes me.

[TeeSeeJay]

Originally posted by mrlumpy
No kidding. I must have tried to get a 100K flatland combo for an hour last night before giving up. The best I could get was 85k.

Wait until you get to the pro goals. Some of them are very fun.

Speaking of Chicago, though, where the heck is the "T" when spelling "S-K-A-T-E"? I have found the rest of the letters, but the T eludes me.

Are you using a manual special as part of your flatland combo? I haven't tried that goal yet, is it one of the red arrow goals?

[Corky Roxbury]

I can't beat the train part or the manual over the boards and jump the gap one in SF. for the 100k combo, I just did a manual and then did all of the manual moves off of it, (ie. square,square---- circle, triangle---- etc. it takes a few times but then it is easy.

[mrlumpy]

Originally posted by TeeSeeJay
Are you using a manual special as part of your flatland combo? I haven't tried that goal yet, is it one of the red arrow goals?

Yep, I even went as far as using two manual specials. I just can't get over 100K.

And I think it's a red arrow goal.

[Drexl]

I picked it up for XBox today. The system's capability for Dolby Digital 5.1 sound is utilized the way it should be, because this seems to be the first TH game with 3D sound.

One pet peeve I have is that they pulled the camera back a little bit, making your skater smaller in relation to the environment. This makes it a little harder to see what you're going to be able to grind on. Does anyone know if there is a way to adjust it?

For some reason, the default gamma settings are 13 for red, 12 for blue, and 12 for green. Why aren't they balanced? Anyway, I think the game looks better when they are turned down to 8 or 9 for each color.

[TeeSeeJay]

Originally posted by Drexl
I picked it up for XBox today. The system's capability for Dolby Digital 5.1 sound is utilized the way it should be, because this seems to be the first TH game with 3D sound.

One pet peeve I have is that they pulled the camera back a little bit, making your skater smaller in relation to the environment. This makes it a little harder to see what you're going to be able to grind on. Does anyone know if there is a way to adjust it?

For some reason, the default gamma settings are 13 for red, 12 for blue, and 12 for green. Why aren't they balanced? Anyway, I think the game looks better when they are turned down to 8 or 9 for each color.

The "back" button cycles through camera positions. You can also move the camera with the right thumbstick and "lock" it into position my pressing the thumbstick.

[El Scorcho]

FWIW, Bob Burnquist's pro challenge is kinda fun. It's a full loop with the top section of the loop removed. You do 3 tricks, and it stretches out. Do 3 more, and it stretches out some more. Then do 3 specials and you're set.

[Aghama]

The custom skater's is cool too, it got me all pumped to see Extreme Ops!

[TeeSeeJay]

Originally posted by DTSC
FWIW, Bob Burnquist's pro challenge is kinda fun. It's a full loop with the top section of the loop removed. You do 3 tricks, and it stretches out. Do 3 more, and it stretches out some more. Then do 3 specials and you're set.

Sounds a lot like Tony Hawk's pro challenge, except with a loop instead of ramps.

[El Scorcho]

Agggggggggh.

190/190 goals. All the cash but ONE (Alcatraz) and I just skated around the level and can't find the damn thing. Already got under the watertower, in the tree, etc. Any ideas?

[ClarkKentKY]

For the PS2 version, are Slow motion and Low gravity still cheats/options?

[Drexl]

Originally posted by ClarkKentKY
For the PS2 version, are Slow motion and Low gravity still cheats/options?

"More your speed" (which is available for $1000) is slow motion.

[InfiniFan]

Guess what? I'm Mike_AA and I will keep coming back even though I got suspended and then banned. This is my fourth username. I have no life and only exist to bother you people.

[Corky Roxbury]

El Scorcho, how do you get in the aqaurium to get that goal in the zoo level

[edstein]

Originally posted by Corky Roxbury
El Scorcho, how do you get in the aqaurium to get that goal in the zoo level

I am stuck here too. I have finished all the goals on this level but, I can't seem to find the entrance to the shark tank. Maybe you somehow piss off the elephant and he tramples through the door. I have skated around the elephants head but he doesn't do anything.

[csim]

Go on the building next to the elephant. Try to jump from the building onto his head. He will go carzy and bust threw the aquarium.

[tricky]

Does anyone know how to distract the guard to bust the skate rails on the SF level?

tricky

[chunk]

To distract the guard wallride on the red alarm bell on the wall beneath the rails you need to grind.

[Corky Roxbury]

csim, thank you so much now I can finally beat the zoo level.

[Drexl]

Originally posted by El Scorcho
190/190 goals. All the cash but ONE (Alcatraz) and I just skated around the level and can't find the damn thing. Already got under the watertower, in the tree, etc. Any ideas?

I just got all the cash in that level. You probably do too by now, but if not, did you get:

the one inside the watertower in the middle of the bowl? Also, I think there are at least 2 in trees. There's also one that's kinda tucked away across from the ferry. It's to your right above the "up" teleportal as you come down toward the ferry (when the ferry is a little to your left). I assume you know there are several of them way up in the air above the various buildings. One of those requires (at least for me it did) grinding along a pipe that sticks out from the second floor of the cellblock and jump from the end of it. The last one I got was a simple one: it was up in the air in front of the little tower with the benches in front of the cellblock.

[tricky]

Hey Drexl, how'd you get the cash icon below the watertower? I can't seem to ollie high enough on one of the pipes to get to it.

[isamu]

Excellent thread guys:up: Some points I'd like to respond to:

That and the progressive scan are the two plusses for the xbox version but in the end I decided to buy it for PS2 for the online play

My point exactly! Progressive scan and overall better sound and gfx don't come close to the satisfaction you get from playing against 8 other people on a broadband only network..a sheer blast! PS2 version all the way baby!

I also really dislike the fact that you accomplish a goal with one character and it is cleared for all of them - to me this really cuts down on the replay value.

Are you kidding? Completing part 3 over a dozen times with a different skater just to unlock some movies, etc got very monotonous after a while. I was relieved to discover once you complete all the goals in 4, the only thing left for each character was their independant pro goals. Yeah, you don't need to replay the game a zillion times to unlock stuff, making it shorter, but the ramped up difficulty more than makes up for it. Plus, if you're really dying to start fresh with a new player, just start a new carreer.

I also abhor the system of buying all the extras with $ you pick up in the levels. I don't like seeing exactly how many cheats, levels, and characters there are from the beginning.

This I agree with... I was dissapointed in learning what all the secrets were and that you can just mosey on up and purchase them from the beginning of the game. The thought of having to buy secrets as opposed to earning/unlocking them is a real turn off.

BTW, I ended up needing to cheat to get through some of the goals. The Slo-Mo mode is a great way to get through tough goals.

Shame on you:D

THPS4 = SOS

And this means?

It isn't an exceptionally long game, but it's a helluva a lot longer than one run through was in any of the previous ones. Plus the difficulty ramps up...some of the pro challenges are crazy.

true dat true dat!

IMO, the big thing about spind transfers isn't really that you can go from one half pipe to another, but rather that you can avoid bailing if you drift off a half pipe. I really like that convenience.

Boy, tell me about it!! I absolutely HATED falling off the wayside of ramps in 3 and couldn't do nothing about it! In 4, it's extremely cool to just hit that spine transfer button and sometimes even land in a manual and continue pulling flat land tricks. Probably the most thankful improvement in the game imho

Yeah I just did that.. even said manual+manual+manual+manual and still no dice

This move is a little glitchy and a bad execution on Neverhard's part. Took me maybe 4 or 5 tries before I nailed it, but still, the very first one was pulled off perfectly and they still didn't give it to me!

Son of a bitch, the Pro goal for Tony Hawk on the college level is a pain in the ass.

Not nearly as hard as some others. Keep reading...

One pet peeve I have is that they pulled the camera back a little bit, making your skater smaller in relation to the environment.

I don't like this either. I think the closer view in 3 is much better than in 4. For some reason I feel more comfortable pulling off tricks in 3 simply because the closer to the skater perspective makes you feel more "one with the character".

FWIW, Bob Burnquist's pro challenge is kinda fun. It's a full loop with the top section of the loop removed. You do 3 tricks, and it stretches out. Do 3 more, and it stretches out some more. Then do 3 specials and you're set.

Ahhhh here we go!:D The one that had me pulling my hair out and my nuts off! Bob's pro challenge is indeed fun, and the first two loop goals are pretty easy to nail. Come to that third loop, however and you're in for a ridiculous excersise in tedium! The method across the gap...easy. The sit down air across the gap...not that difficult. The Samba Flip across the gap...nearly IMPOSSIBLE!! I swear. I was on that son of a bitch for like 3 hours straight! I literally thought it was a glitch and couldn't be done. I was just about to ask one of those knuckleheads on gamefaqs if and how they were able to pull it off. Then at the last second, just before getting off from work, I nailed it! Incredibly frustrating!

I am stuck here too. I have finished all the goals on this level but, I can't seem to find the entrance to the shark tank. Maybe you somehow piss off the elephant and he tramples through the door. I have skated around the elephants head but he doesn't do anything.

Heh, it's funny you mentioned this, because I *also* did the same thing...skating around his head, ollie by his head, etc. The I said to myself, "hey...lemme try jumping off that building!" Walah!! Welcome to the aquarium!

Speaking of the zoo, what's the deal with that one guy in a booth next to the aquarium that says, "Move along! There's nothing to see here!"? Is he part of a mini game or something? I tried ollieing and grinding by his booth and nothing happened. WTF?

I just got all the cash in Alcatraz. You probably do too by now, but if not, did you get:

the one inside the watertower in the middle of the bowl? Also, I think there are at least 2 in trees. There's also one that's kinda tucked away across from the ferry. It's to your right above the "up" teleportal as you come down toward the ferry (when the ferry is a little to your left). I assume you know there are several of them way up in the air above the various buildings. One of those requires (at least for me it did) grinding along a pipe that sticks out from the second floor of the cellblock and jump from the end of it. The last one I got was a simple one: it was up in the air in front of the little tower with the benches in front of the cellblock.

Wow, it appears you got the cash in the same order I did! I was also looking around for a while for just that one last icon, and discovered it was that same one up in the air in front of the little tower with the benches in front of the cellblock. A sneaky little one that's pretty hard to discover.

Other notable difficult challenges:

1)King of Kona...damm Tony! You really made Rodney go through some **** with this one! I was one it for hours! Getting a million points in Kona isn't anything particularly difficult to do. But when you're confined to certain small areas(that little ass pool anyone?) and within two minutes it's makes for some serious skill needed to accomplish such a feat

2)The Slalom run...the first two runs are easy...but the third one is a bitch

3)Bucky Lasek's pro challenge. Nailing an increasing point combo on that busted ass ramp and having to avoid falling into the water on the fourth run had me screaming at the screen!

4)Collecting "C-O-M-B-O" in the shipyard...nuff said!

5)Here's a real killer! Manualing the switchbacks in Alcatraz all the way down! OMFG!!! The patience and concentration you need to keep your balance while turning *and* avoiding bumping into the walls and having to start over felt like something out of a Rubik's Cube tournament! Unfreakingbuleevably difficult!! But hey...I nailed it!:D:D

Online play on the PS2 is just fantastic. But could've been much better on Xbox Live. Too bad Sony strongarmed Neversoft into making the online function exclusive to PS2. Leaving xboxers in the cold. I would've loved to talk trash to people over the voice communicator!

Anyway, I'm about 80% done with the game it's r0XXors your b0XX0rs!! I still think 3 does some things better than 4, but because of it's diffuclty and better gfx and set up, I enjoy 4 better. Actually I take that back! I think they're about a tie...Private Carrera owns you!!:D

[isamu]

Originally posted by edstein
Who is the hot chick in the neversoft home videos? She has an awsome set of trucks. :drool:

wich one...private carrera?

[isamu]

Originally posted by Drexl
I picked it up for XBox today. The system's capability for Dolby Digital 5.1 sound is utilized the way it should be, because this seems to be the first TH game with 3D sound.

THPS4 is not DD 5.1 enhanced.

[Gallant Pig]

It isn't? Is it the first Xbox game to not have DD 5.1? That's a new one on me.

[isamu]

Originally posted by Gallant Pig
It isn't? Is it the first Xbox game to not have DD 5.1? That's a new one on me.

I know. A lot of people are under the assumption that it is DD 5.1 when it is in fact DD Stereo. THPS3 is what they're getting confused with...

[Drexl]

Originally posted by isamu
THPS4 is not DD 5.1 enhanced.

Yes it is. Check your settings in the XBox dashboard, and your receiver to make sure they are set up for 5.1.

[isamu]

Originally posted by Drexl
Yes it is. Check your settings in the XBox dashboard, and your receiver to make sure they are set up for 5.1.

Drexl...while I appreciate your trying to help, I can assure you, that I have done just that. Checked the settings in dashboard, my receiver is ALWAYS set on DD5.1. Playing halo and Silent Hill 3, 5.1 sounds incredibly rapturous! But like I said, there is no option for DD5.1 surround sound in THPS4. I honestly think you're getting part 3 and part 4 mixed up, which is understandable.

[Doug Schiller]

THPS4 is 5.1. This is the first I heard claimed it wasn't.
There is no option because it is always on.
Not only does my receiver show 5.1, I can easily tell when I'm playing it.
I own it on the PS2 and there is a huge difference in stereo (although I never tried it with DPLII).

To me THPS4 in 720p and 5.1, there is no contest.

Doug

[isamu]

im trying to tell you guys its not 51DD!!

[isamu]

Guys...I owe you an apology!!

I have just realized that the reason I am not able to get DD5.1 surround sound from THPS4 is because I was mistakenly playing the wrong version! I was playing the Gamecube version and hadn't even realized it!! No wonder I cant hear the 5.1!! It's the wrong system! I will like to apologize to these who insisted it 51DD on the xbax vertion. You were right my bad!!!

[sdcrym]

Heres some cheat codes I found in this month's Nintendo Power. I can only guarantee that they'll work on the GameCube, but I would guess that they'd work on everything:

CODE: CHEAT

G0LDEN: Always Special (Note: that's a zero, not an O)
BELIKEGEOFF: Perfect Rail Balance
2WHEELIN: Perfect Manual Balance
GIANTSTEPS: Moon Gravity
MRANDERSEN: Matrix Mode

You should hear a cha-ching sound if you enter it right.