The game's intuitive and solid control scheme allows players to perform hundreds of tricks in a variety of realistic, obstacle filled real world locations. An innovated skate park editor and expanded multi-player modes increase the game's replayability. Additionally, the game provides total character customization, allowing players to modify the skater's clothing, skateboard and trick sets or build an entirely new character from scratch.

I played this game. Played it again. Even came in on Saturday and played it some more. It's addictively fun. Heck, if I weren't writing this review right now I'd probably be playing it still. THPS 2 earned each of the 5 cows that I gave it and kept me itching for more.

First of all, the graphics in the game are stunning. Actually, since this is a skater game, let's use skater lingo. They're phat man. Totally phat. Like, on a scale of like, one to like, ten, they're like totally a 12 dude. Yah. They're totally righteous.

Okay enough of that. Beyond the graphics, the gameplay is fluid enough to make your tricks seamless. Even when you're bailing your ugly mug into the splinters of the half pipe, it's all very smooth. The lure of the game is, in fact, how you can pull off tricks like they're water and just keep going with unending stamina. Take a 30 foot leap off of the top of the pipe into the cold crete and you're still able to stand up and just push off again.

The various places that you can skate in opens up a diversity unseen before in similar games. From desert skate parks to airport hangars, if you can roll on it, you can skate it. Much of the game's diversity also comes from the various skaters you can choose to be. There is of course the ever famous Tony Hawk, or you can select one of up to twelve other famous skaters including Mullen, Caballero, Muska, Campbell or even Elissa Steamer for the ladies.

Complete with your own skate park editor, multi-player functionality and single player mode, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 is everything the first game ever was, and then a whole lot more.

-Michael.