Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 Is Actually a Lot Better With the New Update
December 2, 2015December 2, 2015 Chris Harding
Share on facebookShare on twitterShare on pinterest_shareShare on flipboardShare on google_plusone_shareMore Sharing Services0[URL='http://www.thegamescabin.com/tony-hawks-pro-skater-5-finally-gets-a-much-needed-update-improves-visuals-gameplay-and-more/']7.8GB worth of update for that matter) that improved numerous features within the game, as well as making a few additions.[/URL]
When we first reviewed the game, it had to be said that it was a[URL='http://www.thegamescabin.com/review-tony-hawks-pro-skater-5-half-pipe-dreams-destroyed/'] hot pile of crap. Seriously. The frame rate was alright for the first couple of levels, but as you progressed further it just seemed to get worse. School III was a prime example as when you first load into the map the game is stuttering until you make it past the familiar big drop.
Thankfully the new patch has seemingly done away with terrible frame rates, and in the process this makes the game a lot more playable. It’s still nowhere near perfection, but it’s at least not nearly as frustrating as it once was. The update also included graphical enhancements in specific levels, though we’re struggling to see any real improvements in those areas. That’s not a big deal, though, as the Tony Hawk games have never been known for leading the pack with cutting-edge graphics. Still, it would’ve been nice to see a more notable improvement, heck, even the ability to switch to the game’s original art style would be welcome, even if it’s just so we can compare and see if the cel-shaded graphics are an improvement.
Aside from the improved frame rate, there’s one huge change that really does Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 a service: that awful bloody slam mechanic. Pre-patch, pressing the ‘triangle’ or ‘Y’ button would either connect you to a rail, ledge, or other grindable surface, or it’d cause your character to ‘slam’ to the ground. The idea was that the slam function would help save a combo when it started going pear shaped, but in the end it just became a nuisance. It’s still there after the latest patch, but it’s been reconfigured so that you no longer slam when you mean to grind. Pressing the grind button will, as expected, initiate a grind along a suitable surface, but it now requires a double tap to perform a slam. It might not sound like much, but when you’ve racked up a sick combo and you’re about to finish it off with a sweet grind, only to find your character has slammed into the ground at the most inopportune moment, it’s a welcome change and it goes some way to improving the game.
We won’t be changing our score on the game, even if it receives fifty more updates, but we’ll be happy enough to give you our thoughts on the state of the game as time goes by. As it stands, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 is a much more pleasant experience and the new maps and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles skaters are a nice touch. If you’re a long-time fan of the franchise then we recommend at least giving it a rental before picking it up at a mark down price.
http://www.thegamescabin.com/tony-hawks-pro-skater-5-is-actually-a-lot-better-with-the-new-update/
[/URL]