If you're expecting a completely new control scheme, then perhaps you should look to a different game. Neversoft has once again gone with what works, the classic Tony Hawk controls.

If you played Project 8 you'll remember Nail the Trick mode. Nail the Trick mode allows you to actually make your own flip tricks using the analog sticks. Time slows down, and you control each foot with an analog stick, allowing for some impressive moves to be done.

Nail the Trick mode isn't just useful for doing cool moves, either. It also can help you get some insane distance. All you have to do is launch of a ramp, hit Nail the Trick, and watch yourself soar over a huge gap. This can be a lot of fun to do when you find huge gaps.

There's also a new mode called Rigger mode. The idea is that you can set up ramps, half pipes, and other items throughout the world and create your own tricks anywhere. The idea is to give a huge amount of replayability to the game. Sadly it comes up short.

In Rigger mode, you'll be given different goals, just like any other mode. Unfortunately this does not work well in practice. When you first start off building kicker ramps, all seems well. Then you go into your warehouse, which is like your own private skate park.

The goals get quite a bit tougher here, and they don't really give you time to learn what's up. You just get dropped into a mission with a minimal amount of time to get all the tricks done. Not to mention you have to build all the ramps and the like that you'll plan on using.

Rigger mode could have been great, but was poorly implemented. I find myself avoiding Rigger goals, tending towards the hardcore skate style. Hardcore is, to me, a lot more fun than the other modes. You'll skate for yourself, and you'll be given some crazy goals to do as well.

In Hardcore mode, you'll get to take out your aggression. Ever been playing Tony Hawk and wanted to just plow one of the poor saps walking down the street? Hardcore mode will be for you. It also seems to be the most fun.

In Hardcore mode, you'll also be given goals, usually based on aggression of some sort. You'll find yourself smashing something, breaking into somewhere, or just taking out people as you stake by. Hardcore mode doesn't have a ton to offer, but it's at least fun to pass the time.

The final way you'll be able to choose, at least as far as progressing your skater, will be to try to go Pro. Around town there will be different ways to get noticed; usually places to get a picture snapped doing a trick.

In this mode you go all for fame and money, and probably for a few women too. You'll meet some Pros along the way, probably even Mr. Tony Hawk himself. If making yourself known is what you are going for, then this will be your mode of play.

On a game that is based primarily on the Create a Skater option, a choice they made struck me as odd. Many games now will allow you to pick from either a male or female character. While this was in older Tony Hawk games, only males made it into this one.

The old style of Tony Hawk Pro Skater has not gone the way of the dodo. As you skate around town, you'll find Arcade Machines randomly placed. Skate right up to one of these to enter Classic mode.

Classic mode is just what you would expect. It takes a page from the Tony Hawk Pro Skater games, giving you back all the classic goals. There are the scores, hidden tape, collect SKATE, and other fan favorites from the previous games. You're still on the nice new map, but with these classic goals. Definitely a nice break from the new style of play, and it was always fun in the old games.