Mike_AA

Watch those spoilers for those of us who haven't picked it up yet

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

Okay, I'm definitely getting it now. 3 was a cakewalk.

darkside

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.