Our initial excitement for the announcement of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 for the Nintendo Switch has been tempered by recent news regarding significant changes to the fourth installment. According to a report by Kotaku, shared by Push Square, the highly anticipated Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 will not feature the original Career Mode that fans cherished.
One of the most notable alterations is the removal of the original Career Mode, which allowed players to explore levels freely and tackle challenges at their own pace. Instead, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 will adopt a challenge format similar to its predecessors, wherein players will have a strict 2-minute time limit to complete as many challenges as possible. While this shift may streamline the gaming experience, it also eliminates the beloved freedom that defined the original game.
Despite the loss of the traditional Career Mode, there is still some good news for players: a Free Roam mode will be available. This mode will allow players to explore the levels at their leisure, although challenges will not be integrated within this mode. Developer Iron Galaxy is taking a different approach, aiming to create a more cohesive package that facilitates a smoother transition from THPS 3 to THPS 4.
While the first three entries in the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series are undeniably excellent, the community response to these changes has been largely negative. Many fans feel that the levels in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 were specifically designed for free roaming, and stripping that feature away will fundamentally alter the gameplay experience. Although we remain optimistic about the quality of the game, we share the concerns of long-time fans regarding this shift.
As we gear up for the official review of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 set to release in July, we remain hopeful that Iron Galaxy and Activision will listen to community feedback. There is a strong desire among fans for the reinstatement of a proper Career Mode, potentially available through downloadable content in the future. Until then, we will keep our fingers crossed and await further updates from the developers.
