Developed by: Neversoft | Published By: Activision | Played: 8/15/03

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This is one of the only games I've played in a long time that caputures what was so great about Grand Theft Auto III. You can free-roam around each area as you like, and then when you feel like doing a mission (or in this case a goal), then you go to it and do it. On the one hand it is linear because you have to complete a certain number of goals to go to the next area, but on the other hand it is set up so that going through each area has an open-ended feel. In GTA3 Liberty City was your playground, and in THPS4 each "skate park" is your playground.

Also like GTA3, a simple challenge and instant gratification is never too far away. For GTA3 it was a car to steal and a road to drive down that was always so close, and for this game it is a railing, quarter pipe, or other skating obstacle that is always so close.

It takes awhile to master the game. There are plenty of challenges for the player to complete in order to become a master of THPS.

The pacing is dead on. Each new area is decidedly more challenging than the last, incrementing in level of difficulty at a steady, comfortable pace.

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Steep learning curve. It takes about two to three hours of play before the controls start to feel natural and the player can get anything done.

There's no characters or story... and there could be! Just imagine... :O)

The game play is too focused on reactive action-oriented challenges. There needs to be some strategic thought intertwined with the game play. Use your imagination! :O)