Tony Hawk's American Wasteland Collector's Edition

I'll be amazed if this review gets posted. We ordered it in August 2006. Two months later, we're still waiting 4 it 2 arrive. We chose standard shipping...which must mean a slow boat from China. Every few weeks we get an email pushing back the shipping date. Why would overnight shipping be offered on a product they can't get their hands on 4 two months not two days? Check the website, they'll still offering expedited shipping, yet no product 4 two months. A nice fellow on the customer service website placed the blame on Activision. Funny, Walmart & Toys R Us have no problem getting it in stock. I would have given this game the goose egg in terms of starts but the system would not let me, so we give one star as a lifetime achievement award.

I have Tony Hawk 4, THUG, THUG 2 & this game. I loved the previous 3 games & bought them immediately. But this one, wow. Tony Hawk should be embarassed that his name is on a product that was rushed into production with TONS of glitches. The irony of that is that the game features a skateboard gang that is quote unquote anti-corporate. Whatever. If Tony was less concerned with being on MTV Cribs & more concerned with endorsing a useable product, perhaps the game would be more playable. As it stands, I run through walls, get stuck in ramps up 2 my waist, my skateboard & the bottom half of my legs disappear into areas of sidewalk, ala GTA Vice City (bad enough when you're walking- disastrous when you're doing a combo line!). There are missions where the AI wants me 2 do a series of requested flips as it calls them out, yet it doesn't acknowledge that I am doing them & landing them perfectly. The list goes on & on.
I wrote 2 Activision & told them that since I'd opened the game, the store where I purchased it wouldn't give me my money back. They would only exchange it 4 another copy, & what good would that do? I have not heard a word from Activison in response, but I'm not surprised. If they intended 2 stand behind this item, they would have fixed it before they put it on the market.
I'm out $60. Don't make the same mistake.
Don't take my word 4 it. Just Google the game title & read what they're saying at the gaming message boards.

I write this review as a long-time fan of the Tony Hawk series. Except 4 the very first game, I've bought all on their initial days of release.

THAW follows the same pattern of the THUG games, in that the main feature is the story mode, which -- although a natural pregression 4 the series -- ultimately comes off as kind of lame. On "sick" mode it is fairly challenging, but on "normal" mode it is far too easy. This could be made up by a compelling storyline, but the story is lengthy & boring, & it doesn't leave enough freedom in overall gameplay.

The Classic mode is a joke. The only difference between the two difficulties is the total amount of points needed 2 open new levels. I got through the "sick" mode in two very non-continuous days, & the easier mode in one sitting. It is obvious that this mode was put together very quickly, & with very little thought involved.

The "Collector's Edition" contains a couple of extra Classic Mode levels, which is nice, & two extra available skaters, which is inconsequential. "Secret" characters were fun back when they had crazy special moves, but now there are about 20 unlockable skaters, & they don't have exclusive moves. Being able 2 skate as "Dogtown Guy #2" doesn't really do it 4 me.

If you've become bored with the last couple of titles in this series, you might not want 2 pay 4 this one. Honestly, you could rent this 4 5 bucks & effectively finish everything in the game during the duration of the rental period. Either that or you could ask your parents 2 give you this 4 Christmas. Trust me, wating a couple months won't kill you, & it would be better 2 have them pay 4 it.

The collectors editon og tony hawk is great it comes with 2 more levels

2 Secret Skaters

A making of documentary

And More

This whole entire game is great but there are some downs.
1 level+2 levels=3 levels 4 whole game bad
running up wall & doing backflip is hard

GET ThIS GAME BETTER THAN FIRST AND SECOND

Tony Hawk's American Wasteland Collector's Edition gives you the total freedom you need, 2 make LA your Personal skate & bike park. For the first time, you'll skate or bike in a rich, expansive open environment. The sky's the limit as you progress through the Wasteland. No level, no load times -- just never-ending action. You'll never skate the same line twice!
Special Collector's Edition features bonus content: Two exclusive classic mode levels, secret characters, "making of" feature, Jimbo Phillips art gallery & exclusive packaging.