THUG 2 - First Look Preview

TVG today received new details and screens from the forthcoming multi-format title Tony Hawkâ??s Underground 2 (THUG 2).

Building upon the foundations laid by last years commercial hit, THUG 2 features a â??hilariousâ? story mode, an unprecedented level of customisation and more moves then the Skate Gods could dream of.

The underlying story once again sees players assuming the role of an unknown as they join Tony Hawk and Bam Margera on a â??Worldwide Destruction Tourâ?, conquering â??sickâ? terrain, pulling off mischievous pranks and making six international cities their personal stomping ground.

The actual game is based on team-play this time around, with players opting to skate for Team Hawk or Team Bam; however recognising some of the criticisms from THUG, players will be able to take control of professional team-mates along with guest skaters such as Ben Franklin this time around â?“ of which weâ??re told that the game will feature 20 unique characters in total. The professional characters and guest cameos each have their own set of objectives and special tricks, with Franklin rising from the grave to fly a Stars & Stripes kite that gets struck by lightning whenever he performs a grind.

Realising that opinion was split over THUG, the developers have opted to give players the choice and as such THUG 2 effectively features two games in one. Players can wreak havoc and travel the globe in the Worldwide Destruction Tour, or play the game in â??Classicâ? mode taking on a variety of THUG 2 levels and classic stages from previous Tony Hawkâ??s titles on a 2-minute timer, featuring all-time favourite goals such as â??S.K.A.T.Eâ?, â??Secret Tapeâ? and â??High Scoreâ?.

THUG took the concept of customisation and expanded upon it significantly, allowing players to create their own tricks and skate-parks; however NeverSoft are not one to rest on their laurels, and as such we can expect major enhancements to this aspect. As a little taster, players will be able to create their own graffiti tags and stickers with the all-new â??Create a Graphicâ? feature and slap them across any bit of free space throughout the levels. In addition the game will allow players to create their own tricks, parks, and mission objectives.

Weâ??re told that more emphasis has been placed on the environments to ensure they become more lifelike; as such there are a huge number of little interactive details such as water squirting out of fire hydrants whenever you grind across them, whilst one other example highlighted to TVG depicts the player setting his board alight to ignite two cannons, which in turn fire and bring down a wall to allow you to access the previously hidden area.

NeverSoft have also been working hard on the control system, particularly the introduction of the â??Focusâ? mode provides the biggest innovation, allowing players to activate it when your special meter is full. This in turn brings the camera in close to the playersâ?? feet, slows the action down and allows the player to perform the harder tricks available. Naturally your special gauge will deplete over time, however in true Tony Hawk tradition you can keep performing special moves to keep the Focus going as long as possible.

Perhaps the biggest attraction for us is the inclusion of a new Freak-Out meter, which allows you to pull of tantrums such as snapping your deck just before youâ??re about to bail. Players receive a Freak-Out bonus which is then multiplied to your next trick. Finally the game also allows players to chuck projectiles, such as rotten tomatoes at innocent bystanders â?“ again granting the player with a trick multiplier.

Once again the game will include a variety of extra vehicles to take control of, although thankfully the signs are looking promising that these will be a significant enhancement to the scaletrix cars that featured within THUG. So far weâ??ve seen the likes of Segway Scooters, Hot-Dog stands and Hospital beds; highlighting the importance of the type of humour that undermines THUG 2.

Certainly there appears to be a lot of effort in incorporating humour within the game, which should help to improve the weak Story mode that featured within THUG â?“ think â??Jackassâ? for the type of humour along with Hawk and Margera hamming it up in some hilarious cut-scenes.