Tony Hawk's American Wasteland

 PlayStation 2
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 91 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 68 out of 91
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 91
  3. Negative: 5 out of 91
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  1. rossh
    Oct 15, 2009
    10
    i dont know why anyone can dislike this game, i honestly think that its the best ps2 game ever (and better than any game on another platform, for that matter), the BMX part played a v?tal part, as d?d the completley load?ng screen-free game world, and the soundtrack (? have fallen ?n love w?th astro zomb?es (my chem romance(covered from the m?sf?ts)) and ever fallen ?n lovei dont know why anyone can dislike this game, i honestly think that its the best ps2 game ever (and better than any game on another platform, for that matter), the BMX part played a v?tal part, as d?d the completley load?ng screen-free game world, and the soundtrack (? have fallen ?n love w?th astro zomb?es (my chem romance(covered from the m?sf?ts)) and ever fallen ?n love (thursday(covered from buzzcocks)))… Expand
  2. Jboy2468
    Nov 25, 2011
    10
    Actually my favorite game in the Tony Hawk series, this game is unique and addictive. It has the best Create-A-Park mode yet, as well as lots of places to skate. Yet again, Neversoft pulls off a masterpiece that is an instant recommendation. What else can I say?
  3. meyerpark
    Mar 30, 2022
    0
    Tony hawk american wasteland was a really good free roam, but too bad no achievements on this
  4. [Anonymous]
    Nov 1, 2005
    10
    This is the best Tony Hawk game yet. I can't wait until the next one comes out.
  5. CoryK.
    Oct 31, 2005
    8
    I was hoping this game would recover from THUG2. This game places more emphasis on skating...and biking too...but i still dont think there is enough emphasis on skating. now its about trashing l.a. and rebuilding an old skate park. i found myself questioning some missions and some of the new additions.
  6. JoeyZ.
    Oct 26, 2008
    7
    This game has great gameplay but seriously users , just because it focuses more on skating than the other two THUG games, doesn't mean it's better. Also, it's not the best tony hawk game ever! The game is way too easy ,even on sick mode and most of the game's missions are all about doing one little trick to get a piece of the skate ranch! Cmon users and some critics This game has great gameplay but seriously users , just because it focuses more on skating than the other two THUG games, doesn't mean it's better. Also, it's not the best tony hawk game ever! The game is way too easy ,even on sick mode and most of the game's missions are all about doing one little trick to get a piece of the skate ranch! Cmon users and some critics it's not that great!… Expand
  7. Rhys
    Mar 28, 2006
    9
    Bloody Awesome but the hallways to other locations such (it really is a different load screen) but hay that dosen't bring down the game Rock on! Tony Hawk and Neversoft
  8. LividFiction
    Nov 26, 2006
    7
    It's not quite as fun as THUG2 but is certainly better than the year-old potato-chip staleness that is THUG.
  9. Justinavery7074
    Apr 1, 2013
    8
    Free roam is an interesting and fun part of this game. Another Tony Hawk game that I spent money on and finished overnight. A reason to lose sleep when you're in elementary school
  10. monsieurherr
    Jun 5, 2015
    10
    While the "no loading" advertisement may be a blatant lie, it has no real significance. The game is uber-fun, albeit with tons of fun bugs, a very mild soundtrack, and the fact that it's really bloody easy. Nevertheless, I recommend this to anyone who still knows what a PS2 is.
  11. Cmmcfreire
    May 7, 2020
    7
    Story - 5/10
    Gameplay - 8/10
    Graphics - 8/10
    Soundtrack - 8/10
    Levels - 7/10
    Replay value - 8/10
  12. MariololXD
    Dec 6, 2015
    10
    This game is my childhood. It's my favourite tony hawk game and my 4th favourite game. American wasteland has all the other th games had AND MORE (Except create a goal). Parkour,bmx... Probably the most addictive game i've ever played
  13. abagar2000
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    American Wasteland is the best skateboarding game for the PS2. The open world is amazing, the trick system is the most refined it's ever been, the graphics are breathtaking (for a PS2 game!), and the story mode is the best one yet. If you've got a PS2, like the Tony Hawk series, and don't have this game, then you are living under a rock. BUY THIS GAME.
  14. DerekSCritic
    Jan 12, 2019
    10
    Tony Hawk's American Wasteland is easily one of the best in the series! This game is so much fun to play with a great story mode and several necessary refinements to the gameplay. The design of the game looks fantastic with various levels from Hollywood. Also, the soundtrack in this game is fantastic with several iconic bands and several original recordings of punk rock covers exclusivelyTony Hawk's American Wasteland is easily one of the best in the series! This game is so much fun to play with a great story mode and several necessary refinements to the gameplay. The design of the game looks fantastic with various levels from Hollywood. Also, the soundtrack in this game is fantastic with several iconic bands and several original recordings of punk rock covers exclusively made for the game. There is even a BMX mode which is different from skateboarding but still awesome. I cannot understand why this game got lower scores, but it's likely from the open world being misleading. However, this is not an issue for me as a Tony Hawk fan. As a Tony Hawk video game fan, Tony Hawk's American Wasteland will always be one of my favorites in the series.… Expand
  15. TJ_of_Carolina
    May 15, 2019
    8
    The best Tony Hawk game in my opinion. Fully customizable characters, can buy new clothes, haircut, etc. You can destroy landmarks to add to your own personal park which the plot revolves around protecting. The story is the one of the few Tony Hawk stories worth caring about
  16. genesisdoes
    Oct 2, 2020
    7
    American Wasteland is the last game that I consider to be a part of the original tony hawk series. Sure, Project 8 and Proving Ground came right after and there was no pause between them but with America Wasteland it really felt like the end of an era. It was the end of a console generation and the last game to stick to the goofy and unrealistic style of the Tony Hawk games of previousAmerican Wasteland is the last game that I consider to be a part of the original tony hawk series. Sure, Project 8 and Proving Ground came right after and there was no pause between them but with America Wasteland it really felt like the end of an era. It was the end of a console generation and the last game to stick to the goofy and unrealistic style of the Tony Hawk games of previous eras. Project 8 kicked off a trend of a slightly more gritty and more realistic portrayal that went full force in Proving Ground.

    Anyway, American Wasteland is a game that tries a **** ton of things. The features such as parkour and BMX make it feel less and less like a skating game. I don't hate this stuff but I like skating.. and that's what I signed up for when playing Tony Hawk.. so I'd prefer if they were gone. The career mode is possibly the best story in a Tony Hawk game but from a gameplay perspective it's more often than not just filled with tutorial missions on how to do the new tricks as well as old tricks that you should already know how to do... but the story itself is very memorable, at least for someone who has beaten the game a bunch of times

    The levels are far from the worst in the series but they're not terrible or anything. Overall, the game is still great because it doesn't really take anything away from the older games gameplay but at the same time it doesn't add much worth talking about. It remains as one of my favorite games on the series to this day but I think that's down to nostalgia.
    I beat this game in August of 2020 after beating it countless times before.    … Expand
  17. YoungCritic007
    Nov 7, 2020
    6
    I am very sorry to people who love this game but let me say. Open world isn't true, they just connected the levels with empty hallways that sometimes makes the game freeze for 2 seconds. Also the Bert slide is never used besides once i remember in the story . Create a goal is gone, the "American Wasteland" u make isn't the worst "secret level" but not the best compared to Skate heaven inI am very sorry to people who love this game but let me say. Open world isn't true, they just connected the levels with empty hallways that sometimes makes the game freeze for 2 seconds. Also the Bert slide is never used besides once i remember in the story . Create a goal is gone, the "American Wasteland" u make isn't the worst "secret level" but not the best compared to Skate heaven in THPS2. The create a skater u make isn't used in the main game, u have to choose a preset and waste money to make your skater. Create a park is the same as THUG 2 with a jeep(A GODDAMN JEEP.) Classic mode only has 6 levels compared to THUG 2 14 levels. The good though is that it has awesome secret skaters and new skaters like Ryan Sheckler. Create a trick has grind and manuals instead of only air tricks, the levels aren't bad themselves and the tricks are good additions. Overall this game was the first nail in the coffin for Neversoft but it didn't kill the franchise, it was just a game that didn't reach the full potential I and lots of people expected.… Expand
  18. Pianxdf
    Jun 30, 2022
    5
    Me encanta que sea un mundo abierto lo convierte en un juego que puedes pasar horas
  19. Killerpummkin
    Aug 9, 2023
    10
    Tony Hawk's American Wasteland is one of the best in the series! It has a great story mode and some much-needed improvements to the gameplay. The design of the game is excellent on many Hollywood levels. The game also has a great soundtrack, with several iconic bands and some original punk rock covers made just for this game. I don't understand why the game scored so low, but I supposeTony Hawk's American Wasteland is one of the best in the series! It has a great story mode and some much-needed improvements to the gameplay. The design of the game is excellent on many Hollywood levels. The game also has a great soundtrack, with several iconic bands and some original punk rock covers made just for this game. I don't understand why the game scored so low, but I suppose it's because the open world is misleading. However, as a Tony Hawk fan, this is not a problem for me. As a Tony Hawk video game fan, Tony Hawk's American Wasteland will always be one of my favourites in the series.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

62
#62 Best PS2 Game of 2005
76
#76 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2005
66
#66 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 44 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 44
  3. Negative: 1 out of 44
  1. GameSpot
    75
    While the gameplay in Tony Hawk's American Wasteland is still sharp, and the game still looks and sounds just fine, this seventh installment just seems to lack that special spark that made the series so much fun in the first place.
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  2. IGN
    85
    As a whole, the story, attitude and overall focus of the game is much better this time around than what we've seen from the two "THUG" games.
    Read full review
  3. TotalPlayStation
    95
    It's the best Tony Hawk game yet, and as someone who's played them all to death, that's no passing comment. Better level design, better presentation and better overall polish, this is THE game to buy if you're a Tony Hawk fan.
    Read full review
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