Less than 20% of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4’s soundtrack is made up of songs from the original games - Video Games Chronicle
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 Soundtrack Analysis: A Decade-Long Deviation
In recent years, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (THPS) has experienced a resurgence in popularity, thanks to the success of its remastered versions, THPS1-THPS2. However, one aspect of the games' soundtracks that has been overlooked is the sheer magnitude of music changes between the original two games and their remakes.
A recent analysis conducted by VGC (Video Games Chronicle) reveals a striking disparity in the number of tracks featured in the soundtracks of THPS3 and THPS4 compared to their predecessors. In this article, we will delve into the details of this analysis and explore what it says about the evolution of the THPS series.
The Original Soundtrack: A Limited yet Lively Collection
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2, released in 1999 and 2000 respectively, featured a diverse soundtrack that blended punk, rock, and hip-hop genres. The original games boasted a total of 60 tracks, including hits from artists such as Quicksand, Rancid, and The Offspring.
The Remake Soundtrack: A Much Larger but More Homogeneous Collection
Fast forward to the remakes of THPS1-THPS2, which were released in 2020. These games featured a revamped soundtrack with a total of 54 new tracks. However, when we compare this number to the original games, it becomes apparent that the remake soundtracks contain only 10 songs from the original two games.
VGC Analysis Reveals the Extent of the Disparity
The VGC analysis reveals that the remakes feature a significantly larger soundtrack, with many more new tracks. However, this comes at the cost of a much smaller portion of music taken directly from the original games.
| Game | Original Soundtrack Tracks | Remake Soundtrack Tracks | | --- | --- | --- | | THPS1-THPS2 (1999) | 60 | 54 | | THPS3-THPS4 (2020) | 50 (10 new, 40 reissues) | 54 |
The disparity in track numbers highlights a significant change in the approach taken by the remakes' soundtracks. While the originals featured a diverse and lively collection of songs, the remakes seem to prioritize new music over nostalgia.
Why the Shift in Soundtrack Approach?
So why did the remakes opt for a more homogenous soundtrack with fewer tracks from the original games? There are several possible reasons:
- Licensing agreements: The remake soundtracks may be subject to different licensing agreements than those of the originals, limiting access to certain artists or bands.
- Changes in target audience: The remakes' marketing campaigns and gameplay mechanics suggest a slightly different approach, which might not align with the original games' tone or style.
- Technological advancements: The increased production values of modern games may allow for more complex and extensive soundtracks, but also provide new opportunities to reissue classic tracks.
Conclusion
The VGC analysis provides a fascinating insight into the evolution of the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series' soundtrack. While the remakes offer a larger collection of music, their approach deviates from the original games in some significant ways.
As we look forward to future installments in the THPS series, it will be interesting to see how the soundtracks continue to change and adapt. Will the series revert to its roots, or will new developments further redefine what fans expect from the iconic skateboarding games? Only time will tell.