Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground builds on the solid foundation of Project 8, offering a deeper, more personalized skateboarding experience. Right from the start, you choose one of four skater classes—Rigger, Hardcore, Career or Street—which not only defines your style but also shapes the direction of your journey. Whether you’re threading your way through the narrow alleys of Philadelphia or railing the grand plazas of Washington, D.C., each class unlocks unique objectives and challenges that keep the action fresh.

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The expanded Nail-the-Trick system delivers unprecedented control and creativity. Moves such as Nail-the-Grab and Nail-the-Manual let you hold tricks at the apex for dramatic flair, while Bowl Carving and Aggro Push add a physical, momentum-driven feel to your runs. Skate Checking and environmental altering mechanics let you interact with the world—bust through obstacles, open new paths, or even rig custom gear on the fly with Rig-a-Kit. These additions deepen combo potential and reward exploration.

Progression feels organic thanks to advice sessions with real pro skaters. They coach your custom rider on everything from advanced grinds to risk-reward strategies in each city environment. Beyond the story missions, you can flex your creativity by designing a bespoke skate park, complete with custom ramps, rails and decor. Coupled with tight controls and varied terrains, Proving Ground keeps you engaged whether you’re grinding, flipping or manualing toward your next goal.

Graphics

The urban environments of Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. are rendered with impressive detail. Brick facades, graffiti-peppered walls and weathered textures give each location a distinct character. Lighting and dynamic shadows enhance the realism, making night sessions under streetlamps or dawn-lit carve runs at a waterpark feel atmospheric and alive.

Skater models animate smoothly through even the most complex combo chains. Whether you’re pulling off an intricate Nail-the-Grab or transitioning seamlessly into a Skate Check, the motion looks fluid and lifelike. Environmental effects—dust kicked up in bowls, spray cans wobbling on ledges—add immersion, while camera angles dynamically adjust to highlight your boldest tricks.

The in-game user interface and video editor menus are clean and intuitive, ensuring that capturing and tweaking your best runs is a breeze. The park-creation tools maintain that same polish, providing grid overlays and snap-to functionality for precise object placement. Even when streaming sessions or uploading skate videos online, visual fidelity remains consistent, making each share a showcase of your skills.

Story

Proving Ground’s narrative departs from a linear progression by offering branching storylines influenced by your chosen skater class. As a Career rider, you’ll chase trophies and endorsements; Hardcore skaters thrive on extreme stunts and pushing physical limits. Street and Rigger paths dive into urban exploration and gear-building, respectively, leading to tailored challenges and cutscenes that reflect your style.

Each city hosts its own cast of rival skaters and pros who act as mentors, rivals or occasional collaborators. Your interactions—whether you aid a local legend in Baltimore or outshine a seasoned D.C. veteran—carry weight, unlocking unique side missions and unlocking new areas. Dialogue choices and performance outcomes feed back into the story, ensuring that no two playthroughs feel exactly the same.

The branching narrative significantly boosts replayability. Want to see how Baltimore’s underground skate scene unfolds under a Rigger’s influence? Curious about the Career path’s high-stakes competitions in D.C.? Multiple playthroughs reveal hidden spots, secret objectives and alternative story beats, making exploration as rewarding narratively as it is in terms of points and tricks.

Overall Experience

Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground strikes a smart balance between accessibility for newcomers and depth for series veterans. The refined Nail-the-Trick mechanics and diverse class system ensure that every session feels meaningful, whether you’re chasing high scores or simply touring the streets of three iconic East Coast cities. Custom park creation and pro tutorials further enrich the gameplay loop, providing both structure and creative freedom.

Online features tie it all together with a vibrant community element. Invite friends to your custom skate parks, compete for trophies and achievements, or collaborate on video projects using the in-game editor. Watching your edits in slow-mo from multiple angles—and then sharing them with the world—adds a social dimension that keeps the game feeling alive long after the single-player story wraps up.

In the end, Proving Ground feels like the culmination of everything that makes the Tony Hawk series special: iconic trick mechanics, authentic pro involvement and a playground of urban environments begging to be conquered. With its choice-driven narrative, robust editor and finely tuned gameplay, it’s a compelling purchase for anyone looking to carve their own path in virtual skateboarding.

Retro Replay Score

7.2/10