Sequels and remakes are a classic temptation that often fails to deliver quality and unforgettable results. Hollywood knows it very well.
Fortunately, there are still people who care about what consumers want and need.
In the past, the gaming industry produced poor remakes and sometimes failed to live up to expectations.
In this particular case, the pressure was on for the long-awaited Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (THPS) 1+2.
But there's good news and reasons to believe this is just the start of a new era for Tony Hawk's signature gaming series.
For those who were born in the 21st-century, THPS 1+2 will be a tremendously addictive and fun experience.
For the folks who enjoyed the original THPS released in late 1999, it will feel like entering a time machine and revisiting a futurist past.
The stakes were really high.
Tony Hawk's debut video game was a huge success. The original title sold millions of copies, and the series went on to generate over $1.4 billion.
Twenty years later, THPS 1+2 is an extraordinary example of how a remake/remaster should be done.
Developers have clearly paid attention to the details, colors, objects, skating features, and the surrounding culture vibe that made THPS such a legendary game in the past century.
Punk's Not Dead
When it comes to the music that we listen to while playing the game, it was definitely a wise call to keep it simple, i.e., maintain the original soundtrack and even add a few new tracks.
Music changed a lot in 20 years.
In 1999, teenagers and young adults were into guitar bands and skateboarders into hardcore and punk rock.
It was cool to listen to groups that actually played "real instruments."
Today's a bit different - R&B, rap, 1980s synth music are key music trends.
So, gamers born after 1999 will have a chance to listen to their parents' favorite bands. And, who knows, they might like it.
The track selection makes THPS 1+2 stick to its essence. And sometimes, it takes courage to keep it simple and original.
Finger Skateboarding
Playing THPS 1+2 is relatively simple, yet highly addictive.
Programmers kept the arcade feel of the overall skateboarding experience, which gets even more enjoyable with its 4K and 60 frames per second look.
The controls and gameplay are intuitive and don't require a long learning curve. Nevertheless, make sure you complete the tutorial - it helps a lot.
THPS 1+2 is probably one of the best extreme sports video games ever released.
It beats its surfing, snowboarding, and skateboarding opponents by a comfortable margin - not because it's the perfect sports simulator, but because it's incredibly fun.
Are there flaws and things that could be improved? Yes.
One of the oddest moments is seeing your skateboarder riding up a steep slope without pushing on the skateboard.
Occasionally, there's also too-much-arcade combos. Watching the player perform dozens of tricks on a single air move does sometimes look a bit bizarre.
But we can live with that perfectly well.
The make-over is splendid. The maneuvers are all in there. The scenarios are stunning. The 20 levels will keep you entertained for hours.
The lighting, vibrant colors, the rider's customization, collectibles, and the riding flow are gorgeous. The playgrounds are beautifully laid out.
The development team also added new challenges to the maps as a bonus for the new generation gamers.
Whether you're into street skating or dropping in on an indoor skatepark, the game you'll keep your surprise levels high.
Do you still need that cherish on top of the board? Well, try the online multiplayer and free skating modes, and you'll be amazed.
Time to drop off the helicopter into the big ramp. The Bird is watching you.