Although The GC version lacks the Online Play and Face Mapping found on the PS2 & Xbox, it's still a great game.
User Rating: 8.4 | Tony Hawk's Underground 2 GC
THUG2 is the sequel to THUG, and the 6th in the series. Although, the GC version lacks what the other two consoles have, THUG2 is a good game, fundemental and all. Although, the game is flawed in some areas, THUG2 takes what was great in THUG, and added to it. The first thing I noticed about THUG2 is that there aere a TON of modes. More Create-A-Modes, more playable modes, etc. The best of these in my opinion, is the Create-A-Graphic. Although making tags is a minor thing in gameplay, it's really fun and creative. "Now you can create tags to put over our beatiful art we worked so hard making." - THUG2 Developer As I said, it's minor, but fun. You have ten layers to express your creativity, by using pre-made images and customizable text. You can spray your tag pretty much anywhere with a wall. Although, certain terrain can change the look of your tag (spraying a dark tag on a dark surface will result in some parts becoming white.) This is a fun option, and can help aid you on your "World Destruction Tour" THUG2 is based upon two teams; Team Hawk and Team Bam (you are on Team Hawk), going throughout the world in a "World Destruction Tour." You have a list of goals to complete, and each goal will earn you a certain amount of points. The goals are very odd, for example; You must Natas Spin on a statues finger, resulting in it "flipping you the bird." This is how most of the game goes, and how most of the humor is. THUG2 takes it's eyes off being a pro, as in THUG you acctually became one. You are much more relaxed, and the game is filled with a lot of humor. Most of the humor is juvenille and simple, but at some points it can be pretty funny. In one scene, you get to see your ex-rival, Eric Sparrow, get his head stuck in some fat guys butt. But most of the humor is simple, and is easily predicted if you watch Viva La Bam. Besides from Hawk, Bam and yourself, there are 30+ characters you can skate with throughout the game. Every level, you will play with two more. The first character is unlockable, and normally fits with the level (example: Benamin Franklin can be unlocked in Boston.) The second character, is normally motor-powered. The motor-powered character is a great help during missions in which huge gaps are a problem, or you need a lot of speed to complete. As well as characters, there are 12 levels to unlock. 6 new, 6 old. As you play through story mode, you unlock huge new levels, that range from Boston, to a Spaceship. Each of these levels can be altered (a la L.A. THPS3) so that certain objective can be completed, or total mayhem can come to the town. There are 6 classic levels, that can be unlocked in Classic mode, although some of the levels can be found on previous GC titles, it's still a nice addition. Aside from Story mode, THUG2 boasts a fun Classic mode, which may bring a tear to gamers who have been with the series since the beginning, and show new ones how it all started. As suspected, Classic mode consists of 10 objectives, which may be completed in infinite amounts of 2 minute trials. Although, later on, these objectives get harder, and nearly impossible (in my opinion.) As in most games, THUG2 has difficulty, which somewhat to the replay value of the game. You have Easy, Normal, and Sick mode, which each vary drasticly in difficulty. Also, you have the option to beat either mode 100% through, which only adds to the difficulty, and makes Sick mode really hard. Although, you can just choose to have a jolly old time and beat the game as you please. After you beat Story or Classic mode, you unlock even more characters. Although, there is a drawback to these, as, say beating Story mode on Normal won't get you the characters from Easy mode as well. As always, Neversoft has taken a liscence and given us the beloved ogre, Shrek as a playable skater. The graphics in THUG2 are pretty average, as Tony Hawk games don't really aim to be the best. Although, the character models are quasi-cartoony. You character has this cartoon vibe to him, and Bam Margera just looks like a clown. Although this is minor, I have heard gamers say they won't buy THUG2 for that reason alone. THUG2 stays true to the Tony Hawk name and bosts a HUGE soundtrack, as well as great voice acting. There are so many songs, that playing for 2-3 hours wouldn't even shuffle through the entire catalogue once. The voice acting is great as well, and barely hear the characters say the same thing twice when they fall or hit someone. THUG2 takes it's initial interactivity to the next level, and gives you more buildings to enter, and more ways to interact with pedestrians. Now, you can pick up objects around the level, and throw them at random people. This really adds to the fun value, as watching people squirm is rather rewarding, but can take away from the controls, as sometimes you throw your object instead of doing a trick. The controls in THUG2 pretty much stay the same, except for some minor changes. THUG2 now have a Focus option, which is a Matrix-type way to slow down time. This may take some getting used to during the first couple minutes, as you no longer have the power of the L button at your control. Also, you can no longer speed up your falls, because of the new Freak Out option. When I first heard of the option to Freak Out, I was a little suprised. To Freak Out, you must franticly tap the Y button after falling to get back up, and punish you board. This is fun the first couple times, but after you see the animations 2-3 times, it just gets boring and takes forever. Also, with some characters, Freaking Out results in glitches. Overall, THUG2 is a good game. It takes what was good from the originial Underground, and add to it, which is never a bad idea. Some new 2-player modes may be a reason to invite a friend over, but noting to cry home about. Lets just say, THUG2 is a great game, and will keep you busy until THUG3.
