The biggest names in skateboarding video games seem to be mounting a comeback. After years of dormancy and diminishing returns, theTony Hawk’s Pro Skaterfranchisebrought itself back into the spotlight withTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2last fall. Now, theSkatefranchise is slowly mounting a return with the tentatively titledSkate4. It’s starting to look like this is a very good time to be a skateboarding fan.
Skate4has a lot of fans particularly excited as of late, as developer Full Circle recently revealed a small teaser to let fans know that the game is in early development. As exciting as the game’s long-awaited development is, skateboarding games have a worrying history of returning from an extended hiatus. One of the most notable examples of this is the disappointingTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5, which is still a big stain on the franchise. Luckily forSkate 4, there are a few clear things that the game can avoid so that it doesn’t make the same mistakes.
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Don’t Change The Skate Style
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5had a lot of issues, one of them being its complete disregard for all of the games that came before. Not only did it have a questionable cel-shaded art style, but it inexplicably changed the franchise’s established controls. To avoid this mistake,Skate 4just needs to rememberwhy fans fell in love withSkateto begin with. The first three games managed to combine simulation and arcade elements in a way that just worked, and its “flick it” control system was an innovative way to make players feel in control of their actions. IfSkate 4keeps that foundation intact, it will already be leagues ahead ofPro Skater 5.
Make Sure The Game Is Polished
Just looking at gameplay footage fromPro Skater 5’s launch, it’s clear that the game was not in any state to be published. The game was supposedly developed in just a few months because of a rapidly expiring licensing deal between Activision and Tony Hawk at the time, and the amount of bugs in the game was evidence of that. It was practically unplayable, and allSkate 4has to do is just show some amount of polish to avoid the same fate. After being announced at EA Play last year, the developers are just now ready to say thatSkate 4is being worked on, so that’s a good sign it isn’t being rushed.
Make The World Feel Alive
Skateboarding culture is lively and colorful, butPro Skater 5did not get that memo when it came to the game’s world. Most of the missions and environments were bland and unexciting, and there was a complete absence of NPCs for players to interact with. Aside from the soundtrack,Pro Skater 5was lifeless, andSkate 4would have to make sure its world is different. The originalSkategames already had some lively environments, so there is a good foundation to be referenced. As long as players don’t feel completely isolated while playingSkate 4, then it should handily succeedwherePro Skater 5failed.
Skate 4has been one of the most highly requested gaming sequels in recent years, almost in the same camp as games likeHalf-Life 3andGrand Theft Auto 6. Now that the game is finally happening, there’s a lot to get excited about for fans. Although the skateboarding genre has experience some growing pains, there is a lot of hope forSkate 4. Fans will just have to remain patient until Full Circle is ready to reveal more, and hope thatSkate 4sticks the landing.
