Tony Hawk American Wasteland has abandoned the Underground tag and gone for a new cynical approach in this third reinvention of the series. I've taken a good run at the Xbox, and Xbox 360 version, and I have the scoop Americas Wasteland.

The very start of American Wasteland feels like it was attacked by Rob Zombie with the gruesome flash art graphics. This theme runs through out the game, and if wish you might say it's more artistically driven. You get to pick one of five characters then it's off to LA to become a mega star of the boarding world. Although when you arrive in the big city of Los Angels its not as welcoming as you believe and you punked out of your board and have seek revenge and continue your path of righteous boarding. You really luck out because this foxy punkette Mindy finds you and helps you get on the right path. The story takes you throughout LA where you get meet a lot of skaters, and try to get into a group called Skate Land Ranch.

The Skate Land Ranch is a skate park where you have to help build up from its run down roots to a full fledge sweet place to ride. It's a great idea for the series and even though I really liked the Underground series, this seems like a good direction for Tony Hawk American Wasteland (THAW). The ranch can be fitted with various collectables you find in the game and then you can skate in your very own custom park.

If you've seen the THAW commercials on TV then you know about its boast, no load times, free roaming city. This is true, but it's deceivingly covered up by having loading run behind dull sequences like ridding through a tunnel to the other side of LA. It really should be such a big deal because GTA does this almost flawlessly, except when going into who other cities. In the end its true you never see a loading screen, but it doesn't feel as developed as a game like Grand Theft Auto. One cool aspect with the city presented this way is that you can cruse to any part and do missions in different areas rather then following a direct path. The whole city is unlocked and it's your giant skate park.

The best aspect of THAW is that it's approachable for entry level gamers as well as experienced Hawkers. The games easy control scheme makes Tony Hawk instantly satisfying. For those experienced, old Hawk dogs the classic mode has returned. Even though the old school "Classic Mode" feels like eons ago, it's still nice that it's included in the final product. For something new for the old Neversoft included a two player co-op mode to Classic Mode is fun with friends.

In American Wasteland, Neversoft went gives you an alternative you the skateboard with BMX riding. The bike has the same loose feel as the skateboarding is a nice diversion, but it really wasn't necessary. It feels like your riding on air like the skateboard where as it should be a little heaver and more difficult to trick off. Like the alternative rides like Jessie James Monster Segway, it's just a poor diversion for the real goodies.

American Wasteland will keep Tony Hawk fans happy, although the new "Wasteland" direction doesn't seem to revolutionize the gameplay, or make a big leap like Underground did. Although not as satisfied, I think the idea of a 24 hour full sized city is a good direction to take for the series. Like Underground 2, I'm sure Wasteland 2 will be a have the impact I expected from this years Tony Hawk board ride.

This is the part of the review always dread in Tony Hawk games. I've always felt the game has been lagging behind in both the graphics and sound areas. Some parts are strong with the level design and in game music, but everything else falls short. The character models are pretty horrendous and bleed through themselves, the sounds are too blunt and not blended in enough. It really sounds, and looks like the same game from three years ago. Tony Hawk is lucky that the graphics don't really matter because it's about the gameplay. Again, I hope the switch things up and rebuild from ground up for our first next generation Hawk game.

All version of Tony Hawk American Wasteland has the same content from the PS2 version to the new Xbox 360 version. So the choice might be more of what platform you have. There really isn't a bonus to going with the slick new Xbox 360 version, besides the obvious bump up in graphics. The textures and resolution is jumped up, but it's just an enhanced version and it won't differ much from the Xbox version. If you already own the Xbox version stick with it unless you really want more achievement points, but it's not worth the extra upgraded price.

Tony Hawk American Wasteland will appeal to Tony Hawk fans because it's more of the same in a different wrapping. I quite enjoyed Underground 2's last story and it was my favorite out of the bunch, but American Wasteland is trying hard to win me over. Concerning the Xbox 360, this is in no way a next gen title; it's a graphically enhanced port. I'm sure next year we will have the proper launch of Tony for the 360. Overall it's another win for the always fun Tony Hawk.