Developed by: Iron Galaxy
Published by: Activision Publishing Inc
Type: Singleplayer, Multiplayer, Extreme Sports
Released on: 2025/07/11
Price: 50 USD/70USD for the Deluxe Edition
Platforms: PC (Steam), PC EGS, PC Blizzard App, Nintendo Switch, PS4 and PS5, Xbox Series
Played on PC

The shred is back, after some absence. THPS 1+2 was great, even with its annoyances, but could THPS3+4 live up to the expectations that Vicarious Visions set? I played the game to find out.

Changes, Changes, Changes

THPS1+2 was a worthy remake, but not all was perfect as it also had a player level system, limiting you quite a lot. THPS3+4 instead goes back to a more traditional style, only limiting you with money, being a little more simple on that front.

There were many changes to the game in comparison to the original. The original THPS3 was fantastic, and that feeling is kept throughout the remade THPS3 levels, keeping the same geometry but improving the visuals, once more.

The THPS4 levels weren’t so favorable though. It’s no surprise that THPS4 was the black sheep of the franchise up to that point. While it added new cool features, it was also very much a downgrade in many ways. The levels weren’t as good (minus Alcatraz), and it felt really disoriented and all over the place with its levels. Iron Galaxy decided to do the biggest amount of changes to the THPS4 part of 3+4 and that was the inclusion of new levels.

“Movie Studio”, “Waterpark” and “Pinball” are the new levels in the THPS4 part of the game. And I have to say, they are all fine in different ways. Personally, the best level is Movie Studio, with Waterpark being second and Pinball being the bonus level, being similar to Andy’s Room in that totally not-THPS4 Disney game a while back.

The other amount of changes made were the soundtrack. Only a few songs from both THPS3 and 4 return in 3+4 and for me, it’s both a disappointment and kinda exciting.

Disappointment in the terms that they couldn’t get all the songs back. I’d imagine that if they did the Vicarious Visions’ route, they wouldn’t be able to bring back only a fewsongs, not most of them. But it’s also exciting because there are new artists, making sure we can discover new styles, and just to determine that shred is back (I like Lupe Fiasco’s Kick, Push and a few others), as that was what THPS3 and 4 did back then.

One new addition to the gameplay is skitching, like in THUG1. Other than that…

No Changes, No Changes, No Changes

If you played THPS1+2 or are familiar with THUG1 and THUG2, 3+4 will be very familiar. In fact, 3+4 is essentially 1+2 with very minor changes, gameplay wise. Everything made by Vicarious Visions was carried across, making it kinda dull as there are only a few new options to pick.

Create-A-Skater is essentially the same, no new faces or hairstyles. Clothes selection has less options as Activision didn’t bring back many sponsors (probably due to EA’s new ‘skate.’ game).

Similar to THPS1+2, once you finish the main game, you’ll unlock solo tours to play each of the skaters individually. The points aren’t reset (a missed opportunity!) but the money is, so you can stack up a lot of money.

Overall if you liked the older games (and the previous one), you’ll enjoy this one, how it plays at least.

Conclusion

My previous Discord-only review of THPS1+2 ended with this conclusion:

THPS shows us again why it’s the king, the GOTY. Vicarious Visions (rip) did an excellent job with Crash Bandicoot trilogy remake and with this, they made another excellent game that lives up to the legacy of previous THPS games. If only they could make 3 a DLC and 4+THUG+THUG2…

Iron Galaxy understood that the franchise needed a bit of fresh air, and THPS3+4, while a remake, it’s most certainly its own game and experience. Not everyone will like it, obviously, but I think that the ‘controversy’ was overblown. THPS4 was never that good, with its horribly repetitive objectives, and overall lack of polish. Plus, only a 6+2 levels selection, one being a bonus and the other being a port from another game. THPS3+4 feels like a proper experience, especially with THPS3 levels, while THPS4 levels showing that they could have been like Movie Studio with some effort.

I’m excited for the future, if Iron Galaxy makes a completely new game, it’s gonna be a banger, if we go by Movie Studio and Waterpark. However, if the route is a remake of THUG1 and 2, it will haveto be a 100% remake like the original or it’s not gonna go well.

Overall Score and Recommendation

Score: 8/10

Recommended? Yes, get it.