The Tony Hawk's Pro Skater franchise has always been about pulling off massive combos and netting high scores, and none of that has changed with the recently released Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
With the gameplay from the later games put into the levels of the first two entries, experienced players can easily pull off multi-million point combos, even surpassing the coveted ten million point mark. For those newer to the game, reaching higher combos will be much easier if they avoid any of several key mistakes. Kill these bad habits and see the score rise and the win count in multiplayer skyrocket.
10 Using The Same Tricks Too Often
Tricks go down in value as they are repeated within a combo and a single run. Even special tricks like the 900 give paltry scores after overuse. To avoid this, diversify the tricks to keep the base score high. To prolong the value of tricks, be aware of Switch stance, which provides more points for each trick and is not effected by the amount of uses from the other stance. To switch stances mid-combo, land backwards.
9 Grinding The Same Rail Twice
Some behind-the-scenes mechanics prevent skaters from exploiting simple lines for high scores. One of these is the concept of double grinding, which gives a balance penalty for grinding the same rail twice in a row. Grinding back and forth on a small rail may seem like a simple solution to big scores, but it will prevent players from achieving truly astronomical combos. While far from an open-world experience, the gameplay encourages exploring every nook and cranny of the map for the most diverse combo lines.
8 Not Holding Grabs
Grabs provide a small base score but increase the longer it is held. Some newer players may not unlock the whole potential of these moves by either not holding them as long as they should or only using them in small jumps.
Save grabs for the big air when they can be held for several thousand points and reserve flip tricks for smaller jumps. Also use easy-to-land grabs like Christ Air or Benihana.
7 Not Taking Advantage Of Specials
Special tricks are performed by special combinations for moves that net huge points. Popular ones include the 900, 360 Varial McTwist, and the FS 540. Fortunately, they are fully customizable, so each player should go into the options and assign all the special tricks to combinations they can easily remember. Just be sure to know which special tricks are which, because accidentally doing a 900 is an easy way to bail and fail a combo.
6 Manualing Too Many Times In A Row
Just like grinds are punished for trying to exploit them, so are systems set in place to prevent exploiting manuals. Players are only allowed to manual twice in a row before the game puts a penalty to balance. While on the way to a ramp or rail, only jump into a second manual once to prevent this penalty from taking effect, since a third manual will make the balance wonkier.
5 Not Doing Combos During Graffiti
Graffiti, which has been a series mainstay since the debut entry for the PlayStation, is one of the more interesting online game modes since it is not purely based on high scores. However, one still has to focus on pulling off huge combos to ensure nobody else steals their tags. Many players ignore doing combos during Graffiti, ensuring certain victory for those who do combos while tagging objects. This method also makes it easier to steal others' tags.
4 Not Doing Flip Tricks In Jumps
Flip tricks generally do not give a lot of points, but they are quick and a good way to increase one's multiplier. Getting a high base score is important, but it means nothing if the multiplier is not high enough. Whenever jumping out of a rail or into one, always try to pull off a kickflip or a heelflip. With full stats, it should be no problem to fit these in between even the smallest jumps.
3 Not Using Boneless Or No Comply
The Boneless and No Comply give the player an extra bit of air. The former is accomplished by pressing up twice and then ollie, while the latter only has the player press up once before the ollie.
Doing these off a ramp is an excellent way to start a combo, since it gives the skater an exceptional boost to air. With full stats, one can pull of a 900 and a flip trick in a single air.
2 Playing With The Analog Stick
While most games are optimized for playing with the controller's analog stick, it is generally a big mistake to play Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 with the sticks. The D-pad helps the player be more precise with balancing and double tapping is significantly easier. Players can also largely ignore the right analog stick, since the camera works well enough on its own without having to adjust it, especially during combos.
1 Not Spinning
Spins are not just flashy, they also multiply the base score of the associated trick. This includes special tricks. With enough air in specific parts of certain maps, one can even add a 360 or 540 to the 900, giving a combo a massive base score within several seconds of starting it. Throw some spins onto grabs, flip tricks, and specials to see a notable increase in the combo's score. Just be weary of certain tricks which are confusing to land from spins.