Few surprises in latest Hawk game

It's hard to blame fans of Tony Hawk video games if they're beginning to feel a bit dejected - another year, another $50 for the latest version.

In the case of "Tony Hawk's Underground 2," you'll get exactly what you expect - massive levels with a ton of goals, a little tweak or two to the gameplay, a few surprises, and a distinct sense of dÇjÖ vu.

These games are starting to look and play the same way every year. This surely isn't an issue with hard-core Hawk fans, but the casual gamer may be starting to wonder if time with his GameCube could be spent in a more satisfying way.

"Underground" does have more fun with its license thanks to the addition of Bam Margera, the parent-hating skate punk who spends his time away from empty pools terrorizing his family on television's dumbest show, "Viva la Bam."

Bam and Hawk are putting together teams of skaters to compete against each other all over the world on the World Destruction Tour, and you've been enlisted for the competition.

While the story's a little more fun and involved than Hawk's past games, it's really just icing. Once you hit the streets, it's time to shred, and plot becomes irrelevant.

It's no surprise the skating is fun as hell. The levels are untimed and massive, with ramps and half-pipes everywhere. Grinds go on for huge chunks of time, with numerous chances for combos that rack up big points.

But for all the goal and bonus beating, the best part of the game is still taking flight and stringing together six or seven combos before sticking the tough landing. For this reason, some of the more frustrating goals may be forgotten in favor of a few hours back and forth in a high half-pipe.

One innovation worth mentioning is the Freak Out feature that allows you to charge up the grind button when you take a particularly nasty fall. Hit high enough on the Freak Out meter, and you'll let out a roar as you throw your board 50 yards into the ocean or smash it in half with your forehead.

The feature is pure genius, because for the first time in gaming there is actually an outlet for the rage all players feel when they work so hard for a goal and then foul it up at the end. Now there's no need to scream obscenities and kick your roommate's dog. It's pretty cathartic to mash down that little button after your guy bails on a long combo.

There's also a focus mode that slows the action down, presumably to give you more time to string together tricks in the air. It's ugly and forgettable, though, and once you get good at tricks, there really is no use for it.

And that's "Underground" in a nutshell - the new stuff just doesn't take it to a higher level compared to previous versions. Hawk is a victim of his past games' perfection. With so little to improve on, each installment feels more and more like the same old game.

Get "Underground" if you aren't familiar with this skating game dynasty. Otherwise, rent it and grind it out for a few days. Yes, it's still terrific, but familiarity is starting to breed contempt.

Tony Hawk's

Underground 2

Review

Grade: B