Metascore
69 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. 78
    If the PC is your gaming platform of choice and you've been itching for a bit of skateboarding action, then American Wasteland isn't a bad choice at all, (until the next inevitable Tony Hawk's game, of course).
  2. Fine skating action and fearsomely addictive to boot. [Apr 2006, p.79]
  3. There's nothing significant to recommend this over the previous ones if you already own one. If you don't then this is a good introduction to the series.
  4. Over the course of seven games and three acronoyms, the Tony Hawk series has inexorably morphed into the Hot Topic of the videogame universe, a game that glitzily packages and commodifies the skater subculture it glorifies. [May 2006, p.54]
  5. While the gameplay in THAW is still sharp, this installment just seems to lack that special spark that made the series so much fun in the first place.
  6. It's impossible to dislike the game, especially if you enjoyed its predecessors, but it's also hard to appreciate such formulaic gameplay. [May 2006, p.98]
  7. THAW is a step backwards, with its uninspiring Story mode being mostly to blame. The PC version suffers even more thanks to it being the recipient of such a sloppy conversion.
  8. The traditional Tony Hawk gameplay has several twists - some for the better, others not so much - but has had the difficulty significantly dumbed down to the point where Story Mode is boring much of the time, and is insufficiently counterbalanced by Classic Mode.
  9. Essentially just "THUG 2" with corridors, and Elephant Man-ugly, too. [Apr 2006, p.89]
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. EmmaB.
    6
    Fun game, but it seriously needs the option of playing a female character in storymode. Just not the same with the wrong gender.
  2. MartinM.
    10
    Dispite those fools at Aspyr media I'm really looking forward to buying the game cuz it's gonna be tha best ever.
  3. KoenB.
    10
    I didn't played it yet, because I'm waiting till December, so i can buy it for PC. I'm already looking forward to it! I just gave it a 10 because I love all the Tony Hawk Games, and I know this one will be very good too! Full Review »