Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland – 360 – Review

As a dedicated
fan of the Tony Hawk series, it was interesting to see how the series
evolved from its early Tony Hawk Pro Skater years to its Underground
phase. Each Tony Hawk game seemed to always pop up on a new console
whether it was the Sega Dreamcast or the PlayStation 2, so it wasn’t a surprise
when Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland landed as a launch title for the Xbox
360. Among the few Xbox 360 launch title originals and a large number of
multiple platform releases already on the shelves, nothing much sets this
American Wasteland apart from the one already available. Then again if you
missed it the first time around you might just want to check this one out.

Welcome to
Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland, a game, if you already bought the Xbox
version, doesn’t change a thing about its Story Mode. You are a nameless skater
(sorry, no player created character this time around but you have five
characters to pick from) who climbs on a bus headed to Los Angeles to seek fame
and fortune by competing in a skateboarding tournament created by none other
than skating legend Tony Hawk. Yet after getting picked on by the local skaters,
you meet Mindy – the only friendly face in LA who gives you pointers on how to
make a name for yourself. Los Angeles then becomes your stomping grounds as you
attempt to gain sponsorship from shops and gain experience by completing a
number of challenges. It’s a long way to the top, indeed.

The challenges
get progressively harder the more points you rack up and the more challenges you
successfully complete. Luckily Mindy introduces you to a number of local skaters
willing to give you some advice or show you new moves. One such local skater
teaches you a few moves and all he asks for in return is that you perform a kick
flip over movie star Ben Whatflick (a stab at actor Ben Affleck). Yet the best
tricks and side missions can be found on your own since scattered throughout the
opening level, a neatly rendered version of Hollywood, are a number of
characters eager to talk to you. You’ll encounter a graffiti artist that will
teach you how to tag the walls and a BMX rider who lends you a bike to pull some
cool tricks of your own.

Los Angeles is a
wide open area that is composed of a number of areas that, when unlocked, will
act as one massive playground with little to no load times. Aside from the
Hollywood area you’ll also head to Santa Monica, the ritzy parts of Beverly
Hills and the urbanized East LA area. Along the way you’ll befriend a group of
local skaters who will lead you to the Skate Ranch where your character will
build his reputation and experience the true skating subculture. The fun part is
that you have the total freedom to explore Los Angeles, grinding over animal
rights protestors or snobby Rodeo Drive shoppers.

Like the
Underground games, the Tony Hawk Pro Skater-inspired Classic Mode is
back and you’ll have a number of new areas to skate like Minneapolis and even
Santa Cruz (the same Santa Cruz you’ll find on the PSP Remix game).
You’ll find the same number of objectives to complete such as finding the secret
tapes or spelling out S-K-A-T-E or breaking out the combos while spelling COMBO.
It’s great stuff that certainly offers more bang for your buck. Again there’s a
creation mode that allows you to create your own skater, graphic, signature move
and even your own skate park. There’s even co-op multiplayer and Xbox Live
online multiplayer fit for up to eight players.

On the graphics
front, though, the Xbox 360 version of American Wasteland does see some
noticeable improvement over the Xbox version. Sadly the difference isn’t by any
means revolutionary and it’s not as gorgeously detailed as, say, Project
Gotham Racing 3. The environmental detail has been reworked slightly so
textures really stand out and things like glass seem like real glass. The
characters look amazing from afar but up close they’re every bit as detailed as
the Xbox or PS2 version. Cutscenes are a lot smoother and the flow of the game
is even smoother.

Sound-wise, the
game is chock full of licensed tunes that are not only abundant but also pretty
great. You’ll find everything from Green Day, Saves The Day, Bad Religion to The
Doors and Oingo Boingo. The voice acting is top notch and really hilarious in
parts but it’s the heavily detailed sound effects that work well enough that
you’ll hear everything around you from the sound of a busy café to a protest on
the sidewalk outside the Kodak Theater. It’s great stuff that sounds even better
if you have a good sound system.

In the end,
Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland for the Xbox 360 is still an excellent
skating game despite the fact that there’s very little that distinguishes this
from the other console versions. Sure the graphics have been reworked a little
but if you’re looking for a game filled with 360 exclusives you’re out of luck.
If you already own this game for the Xbox there’s no real reason to buy it
except to build a good library for your new console. If you haven’t bought it
then this is a good one to own.

Gameplay: 8.0
It’s still
Tony Hawk and on the Xbox 360 you’ll feel comfortable pulling off ollies and
kick flips without trouble. The game’s challenges in Story Mode are fun and you
can ditch your board for a BMX bike but half the fun is thrashing your way
through Los Angeles without long and annoying load times.

Graphics: 7.5
Sadly the
graphics won’t impress the gamer big on eye candy and seeing as the Xbox 360 is
capable of displaying some truly spectacular visuals this feels more like an
insult. The character models look sharper from afar but up close they’re just as
detailed as a character on the Xbox. The environments look decent as well,
although glass and water look amazing. It all could have been better, though. 

Sound: 9.0
If you have a
great sound system hooked up you’ll want to play this one loudly because the
game’s soundtrack is overflowing with tunes and the sound effects and voice
acting is top notch.  The massive song list has tunes from artists like Public
Enemy, Black Flag and Fall Out Boy just to name a few. The voice acting in Story
Mode is great thanks to some funny dialogue. With a good sound system you’ll
hear Los Angeles really come to life.

Difficulty:
Medium
Story Mode and
Classic Mode has enough challenges to keep you really busy and the locales have
enough for you to do so you’ll be overwhelmed by the number of tasks and
sponsored challenges available. Classic Mode is timed so you’ll be working hard
to beat the clock.

Concept: 8.5

This is a
direct port of the console version that has been out for awhile and that might
not sit well with those expecting a “pimped out” version of the game. All the
extras from the other consoles are here and it’s always great to see Classic
Mode again. The free-roaming Los Angeles setting is a good and there’s some fun
to be had with bikes and spray cans. There’s even Xbox Live multiplayer.

Multiplayer:
8.5
The Tony
Hawk games are even more fun with a friend but when it comes to multiplayer
thrashing online is a lot more rewarding. On the Xbox 360 the online multiplayer
action is silky smooth and there are a nice amount of options such as sending a
voice message to a friend you’d like to challenge as well as customizing your
game. There’s even co-op play that works beautifully.

Overall: 8.0
If you missed
the game the first time around, Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland for the
Xbox 360 is a game that’s worth the extra ten dollars. Aside from the sharper
graphics, slightly better controls and solid Xbox Live multiplayer, it’s an
exact duplicate of the cheaper version already available. It might not show off
the true power of the 360 but it’s a game worth your time and money if you love
the series.