With the Xbox LIVE Arcade version of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD on the near horizon, Activision has announced that the game will be coming to PC later this summer. While an exact release date has yet to be determined for the mouse and keyboard version, as well as its PS3 counterpart, the publisher did state that those platforms will receive the high definition revamp “a few weeks after” next week’s XBLA launch.
Here’s an in-depth explanation of what fans can expect from the series’ return to its roots:
The single-player campaign in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD will feature a combination of all-new game modes alongside some of the classics. Fans of Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground will be pleased to see that Hawkman has made a return: a game mode where players fly around levels collecting a series of colored pellets before time runs out (think Pac-Man on skateboards). A brand-new mode to the series is Big Head Survival, where players have a head that’s constantly growing and the only way to stop the swelling is to perform tricks before it gets too big and explodes. Throw in Free Skate and a never before seen list of PROjectives, new, harder objectives unlocked upon completing the game’s original objectives, and there’s plenty to keep gamers coming back for more.
Beyond career mode, online play offers its own assortment of specific game modes. Trick Attack is the classic, two minute battle where the player with the highest score as time runs out reigns victorious. Old favorite Graffiti mode also returns and gives players two minutes to “tag” as many objects as they can by performing tricks on them. Making its online debut is Big Head Elimination, a hilarious game mode where players will have to perform tricks to shrink their ever-growing heads and keep their noggins intact longer than their opponents. Free Skate is another online mode and allows players to skate around openly and practice tricks without any goals or time restraints.
Also, to clear up some speculation: You can do manuals as part of trick combos in THPS HD. Given the fact that this game combines the best gameplay from THPS1 and THPS2, reverts will not work as part of trick combos in the initial launch of THPS HD as that mechanic was not introduced until THPS3. However, reverts will work in the post-release DLC for the THPS3 levels, as those levels were originally designed to accommodate this.
In addition to the above-mentioned announcement, this calendar day has brought with it several noteworthy reveals that are sure to pique longtime Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater fans’ interest. First off, there’s the game’s official box art. Next, we have two new gameplay videos which show off successful ways for gamers to link their digitally-enabled tricks together. And, last but not least, we have some new screens to peruse. All of the above are featured below for your viewing pleasure.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD will be the first game released as part of Microsoft‘s Summer of Arcade 2012 promotion. It will launch on July 18, and will set folks back 1200 Microsoft Points. Those who wish to give it a try before making a purchase may want to buy tickets to the Birdhouse Left Coast Tour, as playable demo kiosks will be made available to each stop’s attendees.
