Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 Remake Introduces Custom Timers to Enhance Player Freedom

The highly anticipated remake of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 is revamping how missions are approached by allowing players to extend session timers—encouraging exploration and a more relaxed gameplay experience. Shifting away from the traditional two-minute goal format found in earlier entries like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and the Pro Skater 1+2 remaster, this new version aims to bring back the open-ended, player-driven pacing of the original 2002 game. Set to launch on July 11 as part of the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 collection, the remake will be available in various editions, including one offering early access.

In the original THPS 4, players could freely roam large environments and start missions by interacting with NPCs, offering a more flexible structure than the series was known for at the time. Fans had expressed concern that the remake might adopt the tighter format used in more recent titles. However, hands-on impressions from a recent preview have confirmed the inclusion of adjustable time settings. Players will be able to set their session limits to two, five, ten, or even sixty minutes—greatly expanding the opportunity for exploration.

Image Courtesy: Semi Permanent

Custom Time Settings Encourage Discovery and Personal Playstyles

This new system removes the pressure of racing against the clock, letting players fully engage with each map's design and hidden features. Enhanced with high-resolution graphics and more elaborate level architecture, the game’s environments are built to reward curiosity and experimentation. While the remake does away with the NPC-based mission format of the original, the flexible timer system offers a new kind of freedom—perfect for players who enjoy leisurely skating, hunting for secrets, or taking on user-generated challenges.

Image Courtesy: Eurogamer

The decision to include timer options appears to be a direct response to fan feedback. Although mission designs have been restructured to fit this updated approach and NPCs are no longer present, the development team has clearly prioritized a more open and customizable experience.

A standout addition is the newly revealed Waterpark level, which showcases the increased creativity and size of the reimagined maps. As for the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 stages bundled with the release, it remains uncertain whether similar time settings will be introduced, as the original THPS 3 heavily relied on the classic timed-goal structure.

In another nostalgic twist, the remake will also feature Bam Margera, who had been omitted from some of the more recent installments. His return adds a familiar face for longtime fans of the franchise, further bridging the old-school experience with modern enhancements.

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---Silviya.Y