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Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix Mini Review
Jon Wilcox
26/08/2005
The iconic skateboarder makes his PSP debut, but does it lose its cool in the transfer?
Originally released towards the end of 2004, Tony Hawkās Underground 2 introduced an improved single-player Story mode that also saw several characters from MTVās Jackass thrown in for good measure. While the home consoles prepare for the end of the 2005 release of Tony Hawkās American Wasteland, the PSP will receive an updated version of THUG2 complete with full Wi-Fi multiplayer functionality. Taking place across 16 levels (four more than the home console versions), the 'story' of THUG2: Remix follows the exploits of Tony Hawk and Bam Margera as they compete against each other in a World Destruction Tour. Forming part of Team Tony, the player's character then sets off on this world trip to tag, grind, and lip every trick they can.
Besides the Story Mode, the game also includes a Classic Mode, which for those player not au fait with the franchise sees the player given a number of objectives and tasks to complete with a two-minute time limit; these are then ticked off a list of objectives. Far more than just transferring the main modes from the home console versions it has to be said that THUG2: Remix is a complete port of the original title. What this means is that all of the options available to the player a year ago when the home console version was released are now available for PSP, including Face Mapping. The Create-A-Skater options return, and the player can also create their own goals for extending the longevity of the title.
One of key areas that the developers of THUG2 Remix had to ensure translated strongly in the switch to the PSP was the control system, something that has been at the forefront of the franchise's success ever since the days of Tony Hawk 1 on the original PlayStation. Thankfully this been done, with the faithful recreation of the control system one of the reasons behind why THUG2 Remix is one of the cornerstone launch titles for the portable format. All of the control features of the home console version are available in the game enabling players to pull off the same combos on Remix as they can on THUG2 on PS2. Playing the game feels like it does on the home consoles, thanks not only to the solid control system that has been flawlessly transferred over to the PSP, but also down to the amazing transition of the gameplay synonymous with the franchise. Fast and combo heavy, the game enjoys a balanced learning curve (except for a bit of a jump in Barcelona) with the full enjoyment of pulling off 20+ tricks whilst engaging the āSpecialā slow-down manoeuvre still as alive as ever.
Besides the all-ready engaging single-player mode, Remix also features a range of multi-player modes that work superbly well over ad hoc Wi-Fi from H.O.R.S.E. to Tag - it really is Tony Hawk multiplayer with up to four players able to take part via ad hoc. Whilst this may not excite some readers it's a real testament to the developers that they have managed to fit in all of the action (and more) into the portable version. Setting up a Wi-Fi game is very straightforward and the experience doesn't seem to suffer from lag at all, leaving players with an engaging and fun experience.
This is an exceptionally faithful port of the original title, and the only other game from the rest of the PSP launch line-up to potentially match that is Rockstar Games' Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition. Besides the visuals and the overall gameplay experience the music is also of the highest quality (though Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire would have been a welcome omission) with a range of tracks and genres to suit most tastes. Of course trying to listen to the lyrics may prove difficult to do without help of the PSP headphones, but then again that merely serves to accentuate the overall experience of the game. Sometimes the synching up of speech and visuals during the cut-scenes are a bit off, but thatās more than forgivable for the gameplay offered to the player. Visually the game takes advantage of the power behind the PSP, although the loading times can feel a little long at times ā“ believe when we say that itās worth it. All of the characters including Jackass lads are in the game, and the levels are as you remember them (aside from the few brand new courses thrown in for good measure.) Remix is every bit a port āplusā, impressing us in every department and marking it as one of the games to get on launch day.
We really can't say enough positive things about THUG2: Remix to the extent that it makes it into TVG Tower's PSP Launch Line-Up Must Haves. This is a game that you must own - even if you think that you don't enjoy the franchise thus far, the fact is that like Ridge Racers, the THUG2 experience is very complimentary with the whole ethos of PSP. The one slight annoyance are the loading times, which can be a bit frustrating, but hanging on for the game to begin makes it all worthwhile. Capturing the escapades of Tony and Bamās world tour on Sonyās handheld canāt have been the easiest to pull off, but the developers have accomplished it with aplomb.
