Great Wide Open

No action sports title matches Tony Hawk's American Wasteland for sheer moxie. To begin with, there's a total lack of load times—you can literally skate anywhere without encountering a single waiting screen. Customization? Absolutely. Characters can be decked out with hundreds of combinations of hairstyles, clothes, tattoos and custom-created tricks. Options for grabbing and riding BMX bikes at will? Check. Fresh moves like Natas spin handstands, wall runs, and stalls are also part of the package.

I know you're most psyched about the fact that the game imposes no rules or restrictions on how players progress. For the first time ever, decide what lies in your digital double's future.

Take on assignments purely for the sake of padding your pockets. Stroll the rooftops or sidewalks of Hollywood and Beverly Hills seeking sweet spots to pull stunts like kick-flips, spins and rolls off of. Had enough of the current neighborhood? Take on a plot-driven mission that, once completed, opens new areas of the city for play. How you opt to shred the streets of Los Angeles is strictly your business alone.

No objective is ever mandatory. All assignments are yours to accept or decline at will. Screw up, and simply try each one again.

Time to play dress-up.

Mission Critical
Story mode missions are the most basic form of assignment you can choose to take on. These might involve smashing certain scenery props, scoring a set number of points, outperforming a rival or pulling off a specific trick.

To participate in them, just speak to various individuals who can be found strolling or lounging about the city. Recognize such personalities by the pink dialogue bubble which appears over their head, indicating that they're interested in talking. Completing a story mission advances the plot, and can have effects ranging from causing a movie clip to play or a new neighborhood (Santa Monica, East L.A.) to become accessible for your skating pleasure.

Shop 'Till You Drop
Anyone interested in outfitting their digital double with spiky hair or a pair of leather pants will check out the many stores found in the game. Buy new clothes for your character, get wicked looking tattoos, and otherwise change your street-smart image. Skate shops also have an assortment of collectible gear that you want. Unfortunately, everything costs money—to earn it, complete cash goals.

Dollar Bill, Ya'll
As we already mentioned, cheddar is good, but it isn't always easy to come by. If you've got your eye on a new military coat or pair of jeans, need to complete a cash goal or three first to afford it. Let your compass be your guide. Simply follow the dollar sign, and come across a character who won't mind paying you for performing one task or another.

Fun with the trick editor.

Cash goals can always be found—even if you complete an area's story-driven challenges—so you're never at a loss for jobs. Keep finishing them, and keep on raking in the dough.

Growing Pains
If you want to stand a chance at completing important assignments, increase your skating abilities first. Earn stat points, awarded for completing sponsor challenges.

Sponsor challenges are hosted by skate shops—they're located in every neighborhood. Check out the poster out front for details. You have 24 in-game hours to complete each challenge. If you do so, you gain stat points with which to increase your abilities.

Tag, You're It
Search around, and you may bump into a graffiti artist. (Hint: They have a spray can floating above their heads.) These folks help you improve your tagging skills and create original pieces of art with which to shamelessly vandalize the town. Find them, and the aerosol action begins.

Feeling Inspired
If you're tired of busting out the same old stunts as everyone else, invent one of your own. Inspiration spots are located throughout the city. Swing by them to use the in-game trick editor. The crazy maneuvers you can concoct are limited only by your imagination.

No need to rush, dude. Play it your way.

Travel Guide
The compass located at the top of your screen is like a one-stop guide to the city. It uses various icons to let you know where to find story missions, shops, cash goals, tagging spots, inspiration spots, bicycles, and gateways to different neighborhoods.

If you should still find yourself lost or confused, just pause the game and instantly bring up a map of the area. Keep an eye out for buses, too: They offer a quick way of traveling between distant locations.

Get out there and show legends like Tony Hawk and Tony Alva what you're made of, thrasher. At your own damn pace, of course. After all, it's yours to enjoy however you see fit—which is precisely why millions, including those of us who can't tell an ollie from a spine transfer in real life, can't stop playing it.

Article by Steve Richter

• Tony Hawk's official site.
• Activision site.
• Transworld Skateboarding Magazine.