Close to five years since the last original game in the series, Tony Hawk is officially back - and it's returning to its combo-driven roots through a direct sequel to the original games with Tony Hawk Pro Skater 5.
The game - which was finally confirmed this week following months of hints and leaks - will "pick up where Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 left off", according to Hawk himself, and will be powered by modern tech, such as the ability to seamlessly progress through the game with others online.
For the first time in the series, objectives and missions can be completed solo or online either co-operatively or competitively, with at least eight players able to skate in a single session.
"I feel like the new consoles have become established, and we can bring back a nostalgic feel for the fans," Hawk told Digital Spy on why now is a good time for the series to return.
"[We can] update it in terms of gameplay, look and motion, and create a new online community which is something we didn't have in the past. We had a skatepark editor and we had some online elements, but nothing that is so rich as it is now."
As well as online play, player-created skate parks are also making a comeback. New parks can be created using over 250 objects, with a community-driven approval system so players can vote for the best parks for others to try out.
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"I'll be out there online playing for sure, and I can't wait to see what people are creating and sharing," Hawk said.
The game will offer over 80 missions in nine environments, with Hawk teasing nods to classic areas such as the warehouse, hangar and school from the original games. "But they've also been improved upon," Hawk said. "They won't be changed, but expanded."
Classic moves from the series will return, such as manuals and reverts, while playable skaters old and new - including Nyjah Huston, Aaron Homoki, Ishod Wair, Riley Hawk, Lizzie Armanto, Chris Cole and Tony Hawk himself - will all come with their own distinctive tricks.
Players can also create their own character through a 'streamlined' customisation system, allowing players to jump into online sessions with their own personalised character quickly.
Hawk added that he's been deeply involved in development, played it "every step of the way" and "given plenty of input" to all aspects of the game, from tricks to challenges, controls and level features. He added that he's been working "just as hard" on the soundtrack, too.
Robomodo - the creator of the last games in the series Ride and Shred, as well as remake Pro Skater HD - will be at the helm alongside Disruptive Games, which has been working on the online features.
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 5 will be available first on PS4 and Xbox One, followed by PS3 and Xbox 360 editions, before the end of the year.
Spencer’s journalism career started in 2015 at Digital Spy and he returned in 2023. He has also honed his craft at renowned tech publications including TechRadar, Gizmodo, T3 and Stuff. Throughout his career, Spencer has delved into a wide array of topics, ranging from the introduction of smartwatches and foldable phones to the arrival of self-driving cars and artificial intelligence. With numerous Black Fridays and Amazon Prime Days under his belt, he has become a seasoned expert in uncovering the most enticing tech deals across the web. When he’s not writing about technology, Spencer often assumes the role of tech support for his friends and family.
