Wes's recent activity
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Comment on CGA-2026-09 🕹️🙎♂️🛹 REMOVE CARTRIDGE ⏏️ Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 in ~games
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Comment on What is your dream game? in ~games
Wes Link ParentThese games are 100% designed with controllers in mind, so that's my recommendation too. The later titles do at least try to improve the keyboard controls, so you'll probably have the best luck...These games are 100% designed with controllers in mind, so that's my recommendation too. The later titles do at least try to improve the keyboard controls, so you'll probably have the best luck with Dark Souls Remastered and Dark Souls 3, since they're the most recent releases.
Unfortunately, emulators will not be designed for KB+M controls, and I do expect that to be a pretty poor experience.
Hopefully you can find a controller that works for you. I'm sure that smaller controllers do exist. Nintendo tends to design for smaller hands than Xbox, but companies like 8BitDo also offer a wide selection of options to choose from. I think if you do some reading, you'll find something that's a good fit.
I can understand about Bloodborne motion sickness. I originally played it via the Playstation Now streaming service, and I also experienced some queasiness from the game. It was running at its original very choppy framerate, and with added latency on top. I could only play for an hour at a time. I slowly adapted over multiple play sessions.
Thankfully, Sony later improved that service tremendously by changing server providers, and the experience was far better when I last tried it. They sadly merged this service into their regular monthly PlayStation Plus subscription, greatly increasing the cost, but it's still an option if you're unable to emulate. Just note that only the base game of Bloodborne is available, for reasons that still elude me, and many consider the DLC to be essential.
As for the DeS remake coming to PC, I wouldn't bet on it. It was originally featured in the "Nvidia Leak", but it's been so many years now that plans will have changed multiple times since then. Sony has since reconsidered their entire PC strategy, and many other titles in the leak never saw PC releases. I think that particular well has now run dry.
I'm sure you'll enjoy DS1 though, and it's probably the best option available to you until you're able to find a controller that works. Despite the Souls series being more linear than Elden Ring, there's still plenty to explore, and the lore and environmental storytelling are second to none. Enjoy!
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Comment on What is your dream game? in ~games
Wes Link ParentJust to note, Bloodborne is not receiving a PC port. Sony still owns the property, and they're no longer porting their non-live service games to PC. You may be thinking of the recent emulator...Just to note, Bloodborne is not receiving a PC port. Sony still owns the property, and they're no longer porting their non-live service games to PC. You may be thinking of the recent emulator efforts in ShadPS4, which has made the game playable on PC.
My general recommendation is that if you intend to play the series throughout, it's better to start early and move forward. That's not (just) for some puritanical reason, but it lets you appreciate the later quality-of-life improvements, rather than get frustrated when they're not there. The games do also feature an overarching story, though it's easily missed and not critical to the gameplay itself. Like Elden Ring, you can consider it to be background lore as found in environmental storytelling and item descriptions.
As for which Souls title to play first, that depends on a few things. Do you like Elden Ring primarily because of its fast action and complex bosses? If so, then Dark Souls 3 will be the best fit. Its gameplay is much more linear in comparison, but this helps with overall pacing and balance. Get the DLC, as the Ringed City content is fantastic.
Bloodborne is also a good consideration, especially if you have a PS4 already. Its combat is also faster paced, and more reactive. The game feels thematically different, as it's more gothic than dark fantasy, but is definitely worth a play. Just mind the heavy frame drops.
Do you instead want to experience the legendary series from the beginning? Then start with
Dark Souls 1Demon's Souls (DeS). Yes, Demon's is still a great game. It's the spiritual predecessor, but establishes the formula that we now call Soulslike. If you have some tolerance for jank, it's a good time, and you'll come to appreciate the series' roots.If you don't enjoy PS3-era games, then Dark Souls 1 polished that formula further, notably with the introduction of the estus mechanic. It still has some of the best level design I've seen in a game, and sets up the story as explored by the rest of the series.
Both DeS and DS1 are slower and more methodical in combat, which I happen to really enjoy, but you might find jarring if coming from ER and DS3. Expect a different pacing, but still many of the mechanics you're used to.
Dark Souls 2 isn't a good title to start with, but it's still a good title, despite its reputation as the black sheep. It's the most experimental game in the series, which really clicks for some, and less-so for others. It had two releases: Vanilla, and Scholar of the First Sin.
You can start with either version, honestly. Vanilla shows some of the original design decisions of the team, for better or worse. Scholar acts as a sort of remaster, where items and enemies were shuffled around. Sometimes because they made more sense; sometimes the devs just wanted to troll player's expectations. Scholar received some engine upgrades, and bundled the three DLCs which need to be purchased separately if playing Vanilla.
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Comment on There's a new "Google Jail" for independent wikis in ~tech
Wes LinkI don't think this has anything to do with wikis at all. Just the realities of SEO in 2026. Essentially, any new website claiming to have tons of information about a topic (like a recent video...I don't think this has anything to do with wikis at all. Just the realities of SEO in 2026.
Essentially, any new website claiming to have tons of information about a topic (like a recent video game) are indistinguishable from content mills. Those sites that fabricate low-quality or even false information, and try and lure people in to view ads. Google has made a number of algorithm updates to try to stop these sites from ranking.
They need to prove the domains are legitimate through other signals. Traditional link building strategies still work. Reach out to sources on the topic (like the official dev site, fan sites, whatever), and see if they'll give you a link. Don't be spammy, obviously. Links should be legitimate and relevant.
Or just let it happen over time. Once it crosses a certain threshold, they escape the "jail" they're describing.
There's a few more direct approaches they can take. Using a subdomain of an established site and then later redirecting should work fine, as they suggested. 301s transfer a lot of link juice, and I would assume act as a very strong signal to a new domain's authority.
All the usual stuff applies, too. If you purchased your domain a week before launching the site, it's going to be an uphill battle. You need to establish a presence before expecting search traffic to follow. Also, if your website is 80% content overlap with existing Fandom articles, there'll be heavy duplicate content penalties. Doing some significant article cleanup will likely benefit you, and your readers.
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - Future in ~books
Wes LinkI certainly enjoy our book club, and have come to cherish some of the books we've selected. If there's interest in continuing it, I'll assuredly remain as a member. That said, I do wonder if we...I certainly enjoy our book club, and have come to cherish some of the books we've selected. If there's interest in continuing it, I'll assuredly remain as a member.
That said, I do wonder if we have the momentum for another round. This is something that boxer brought up when it was just her and I talking in the Pnin thread. Book clubs do naturally slow down with time as life gets in the way or priorities shift. There's nothing wrong with that, and it doesn't change the great discussions we've already had.
If we are approaching that point, though, I think it's worth acknowledging it and to giving ourselves a clean break, rather than have it peter out over the next year. Going through the motions of voting, having the host(s) generate discussion prompts, only to have a few people actually show up wouldn't be fair to them.
It's a difficult thing to evaluate because we have so many talented contributors, and there's a lot of optimism about participating. For that reason, I expect most people will vote yes to continuing. Though I do think it's worth looking at the engagement numbers and considering if we have enough to keep going. If only a handful of people reply to this thread, it speaks to a reduction in interest. To put that in perspective, we have 74 people on our ping list, but most discussions involve 4-5 active users.
If there is strong interest in continuing, then I think we may wish to reconsider our format and focus. Perhaps start with a shorter book selection, and use higher vote thresholds so that each title chosen has a strong consensus.
The monthly cadence may also be a little tough to keep up for those with lower bandwidth. I've seen a handful of comments from folks in multiple book clubs, or those like myself that struggle to balance personal reading alongside our group picks. So I think it'd be worth discussing if an alternate schedule (bimonthly or quarterly) might be easier for people.
Finally, from what I can tell, the denser books tend to generate deeper thoughts and conversations, but have less overall engagement. We see a stronger turnout for shorter titles, especially in scifi and fantasy genres. So while I really enjoy the variety of our picks, we could consider establishing a theme if it's more likely to speak to our audience.
Those are my thoughts. I'm on board for another round, but I'd like to go in with reasonable expectations and perhaps a review of our aims.
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Comment on Save Point: A game deal roundup for the week of September 20 in ~games
Wes Link ParentI picked this one up yesterday, along with a few other Ubis. I'm afraid I've become that which I hate: the No Steam, no buy person. I enjoyed what I played of Fenyx during the Backlog Burner, but...I picked this one up yesterday, along with a few other Ubis. I'm afraid I've become that which I hate: the No Steam, no buy person.
I enjoyed what I played of Fenyx during the Backlog Burner, but the constant crashes on Linux were getting me down. I later tried again under a different distro but had the same thing happen. So hopefully running it directly through Steam will make the difference.
I also grabbed Steep and Watch Dogs 1. I considered Riders Republic, but a number of sports are locked behind the Careers DLC which in turn requires the Premium Edition. So, I think I'll wait that one out.
I always get really annoyed when trying to figure out if I need the Deluxe, Gold, or GOTY editions. Consulting product comparisons, flowcharts, and reviews kind of takes the fun out of my short-term dopamine rush from spending money.
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: October 2026 - April 2027 schedule in ~games
Wes Link ParentI can't promise the key hasn't been silently claimed, but please give it a try! I'll cross it out once it's confirmed to be used.I can't promise the key hasn't been silently claimed, but please give it a try! I'll cross it out once it's confirmed to be used.
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: October 2026 - April 2027 schedule in ~games
Wes (edited )Link ParentHaving just picked up said bundle, I have an extra Steam copy of Sonic Adventure 2 to give away. It's first-come, first-serve, but I would ask that it go to somebody participating in the CGA. Do...Having just picked up said bundle, I have an extra Steam copy of Sonic Adventure 2 to give away. It's first-come, first-serve, but I would ask that it go to somebody participating in the CGA. Do also review the bundle yourself first, else you may be stuck playing it forward.
edit: Claimed!
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: September 2026 voting topic in ~games
Wes Link ParentI only just noticed, but about two hours after my comment, Fanatical put up a Capcom bundle which features Resident Evil titles including REmake. It's packaged with Resident Evil 0 in a double...Capcom runs one or two bundles for the series each year, so it would give everyone a chance to pick the game up on Steam.
I only just noticed, but about two hours after my comment, Fanatical put up a Capcom bundle which features Resident Evil titles including REmake. It's packaged with Resident Evil 0 in a double pack, but requires at least one other purchase.
If you'd rather grab it alone, it's slightly cheaper by itself on Steam until September 21st.
Just note that while it's currently in the top five, that might change as new votes come in! The deals run longer than the voting period, so you're safe to wait it out.
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Comment on Tildes Minecraft Weekly - Final Thread for Season 3 in ~games
Wes LinkI've created an archive for each of the seasonal world maps. As it lives under a GitHub repo, it should have much more longevity than previous torrents or public file hosts....- Exemplary
I've created an archive for each of the seasonal world maps. As it lives under a GitHub repo, it should have much more longevity than previous torrents or public file hosts.
https://github.com/WesCook/TildesMinecraft
I've sourced the world files from @bendvis, @GravySleeve, @Nankeru, and @creesch. Huge thanks to them!
I processed each world so they're playable in vanilla, including in newer versions. However, I'd recommend playing them in their original version with the included datapacks, as that'll better preserve biome information. Those are included in a separate zip inside each download.
Chunks with under 5 minutes of total player activity have been trimmed, so there might be the odd minecart track missing a section if it was done hurriedly. Bases and structures will be fully intact though, and all dimensions are included.
I standardized each world to have cheats enabled, and to open to sunset/clear weather. There's icon files included for local saves and server hosting.
I'm holding on to the original files for now (even the 50GB Season 2 world), so that if somebody reports any errors, I can reprocess them from the original. However, eventually I'll remove them from my own drive, so I'd appreciate notice of any mistakes before then!
Otherwise, I think this is as good as I can make them. The downloads are linked on GitHub, along with some additional information for each world.
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: September 2026 voting topic in ~games
Wes Link ParentSome thoughts on each. Back in a Flash is an interesting assortment of classic Flash titles. I'm not sure how accessible they are today, but I assume translation layers like Ruffle should help....Some thoughts on each.
Back in a Flash is an interesting assortment of classic Flash titles. I'm not sure how accessible they are today, but I assume translation layers like Ruffle should help. This will be a quick one to knock out, even with five different games. I remember playing through Stick RPG in one session.
There's lots of RPGs to choose from, with Crystalis, Mother 3, and Ys. I think ideally we'd pick one or two, but not oversaturate the schedule with them.
Of the lot, the Mother series is probably the one I'd be most interested in for its cultural importance. Though it does seem like most online recommendations say to start with Mother 2 (Earthbound), so I'm hesitating to put my full votes behind this one.
On the other hand, Resident Evil (REmake) is apparently a great entry point. It's definitely a series I'd like to try, and think a horror game could work really well in a group setting. If selected, I would suggest placing it towards the back of the schedule. Capcom runs one or two bundles for the series each year, so it would give everyone a chance to pick the game up on Steam.
I tried the first Sonic Adventure a few years ago, and didn't quite jibe with it, but would be willing to try it again. Sonic Adventure 2 on the other hand is a favourite of mine, and one I'd be glad for others to play. If enough others have played it before, we could consider another Archipelago randomizer as it's a first-class supported game. Though I'm not sure exactly how that might change progression!
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: September 2026 voting topic in ~games
Wes LinkBack in a Flash (3) Crystalis (1) Mother 3 (2) Ratchet & Clank (4) Resident Evil (REmake) (5) Sonic the 3D Hedgehog (3) Ys Origin (2)Back in a Flash (3)
Crystalis (1)
Mother 3 (2)
Ratchet & Clank (4)
Resident Evil (REmake) (5)
Sonic the 3D Hedgehog (3)
Ys Origin (2) -
Comment on What are your current pain points with Linux? in ~tech
Wes (edited )Link ParentGood news coming in Plasma 6.8. https://blogs.kde.org/2026/09/04/this-week-in-plasma-auto-scrolling-and-dwell-clicking/#plasma-68 edit: They've since reworded this, since it caused a little...There is no accessibility-friendly autoscroll in KDE Plasma yet.
Good news coming in Plasma 6.8.
We’ve implemented something very much like the “Autoscroll” feature on windows, whereby you press the middle mouse button to enter a dedicated scrolling mode, and then move the pointer to scroll. This feature already existed for when you pressed and held the middle button, but now there’s an option to enable and disable this mode as an on/off toggle by pressing the button normally. (Uriel Fontan, KDE Bugzilla #495617)
https://blogs.kde.org/2026/09/04/this-week-in-plasma-auto-scrolling-and-dwell-clicking/#plasma-68
edit: They've since reworded this, since it caused a little confusion (including for me). New text:
Speaking of pointers and clicking… the feature to scroll by holding down the middle mouse button and moving the pointer now has a new optional triggering mode: you can press the middle mouse button to enter and exit this scrolling mode, without having to hold it down. This makes it bit closer to the “Autoscroll” feature on Windows.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
Wes Link ParentWe read The Dispossessed for Tildes Book Club, so you can review others' thoughts when you're done (spoiler warning before that). I personally really enjoyed it, and feel that much of the...We read The Dispossessed for Tildes Book Club, so you can review others' thoughts when you're done (spoiler warning before that).
I personally really enjoyed it, and feel that much of the uncritical arguments for anarchism in the first half were by design. This is a story told from the perspective of one raised on Anarres, after all. But their thoughts and views may change as they're exposed to other worlds and new ideas.
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Comment on CGA-2026-08 🗡️🛡️❤️🔺 REMOVE CARTRIDGE ⏏️ The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past in ~games
Wes Link ParentApparently on the SNES version, quitting to menu counts as a death. I have no idea why, but it wasn't the fairies that did you wrong. As you suspected, though, this was fixed/changed in the GBA...Apparently on the SNES version, quitting to menu counts as a death. I have no idea why, but it wasn't the fairies that did you wrong. As you suspected, though, this was fixed/changed in the GBA version.
I personally used a lot of strategic quit-outs to warp around the map, so I'm sure I fared no better in death count.
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Comment on Tildes Minecraft Weekly - Final Thread for Season 3 in ~games
Wes Link ParentThat's smart, and I should really make use of schematics as well. If you're curious, I'm pretty sure I know what happened. There's a restart mechanism for the conveyor that activates when you...That's smart, and I should really make use of schematics as well.
If you're curious, I'm pretty sure I know what happened. There's a restart mechanism for the conveyor that activates when you initially pull the lever. However, it directly connects that lever to a sticky piston, which makes it vulnerable to leaving its block behind from a rapid pulse. So I think I accidentally double-clicked when turning it on, and that was how I broke it.
It is a super cool contraption, though, and I love how there's a scoop that comes by every so often. Great application of a piston tape.
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Comment on Tildes Minecraft Weekly - Final Thread for Season 3 in ~games
Wes Link ParentThat's wonderful, thank you! I'm very pleased to hear I may not need to trim the season 2 chunks myself. I'm happy to use whichever format is easiest for you — torrent, direct download, FTP, whatever.That's wonderful, thank you! I'm very pleased to hear I may not need to trim the season 2 chunks myself.
I'm happy to use whichever format is easiest for you — torrent, direct download, FTP, whatever.
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Comment on CGA-2026-08 🗡️🛡️❤️🔺 REMOVE CARTRIDGE ⏏️ The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past in ~games
Wes Link ParentLooking at some screenshots for zelda3 (dangerous project name), I honestly think that's just how the game looks! It really is a combination of fantastic sprite work and clear, communicative...Looking at some screenshots for zelda3 (dangerous project name), I honestly think that's just how the game looks! It really is a combination of fantastic sprite work and clear, communicative design. The port might add widescreen support or optional shaders, but it basically just looks like LTTP as I know it. As crisp now as it was then.
I know what you mean about returning to a game after taking a break. I'm glad you participated and got to experience some of it anyway.
I'd say you played through about a third of the game. To put that in the proper context, try imagining you'd just rented it from Blockbuster and your weekend is up. If you ever rent it again, somebody has probably overwritten your save file so you'll likely be starting over anyway. Such is life in the 1990s!
By the way, I understand your pain completely on the platforming boss. Moldorm (or Wiggler as I call him) is a master troll. Even with my overpowered level 3 sword, he still knocked me off twice. Stupid worm.
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Comment on Tildes Minecraft Weekly - Final Thread for Season 3 in ~games
Wes Link ParentThat's cool, thanks for sharing. The massive Chinese dragon was the main thing I remembered from season 1, though I only played very briefly. I saw that you'd edited the world to trim it down with...That's cool, thanks for sharing. The massive Chinese dragon was the main thing I remembered from season 1, though I only played very briefly.
I saw that you'd edited the world to trim it down with MCA, which is probably what I would do as well. No pressure, but if you were ever to upload the world (modifications included), I'd grab it so there'd at least be another copy out there. It seems like there is some danger of the map being lost, so I figure another person archiving things couldn't hurt.
The season 2 world is comparatively massive, so I'll have to see if it's possible to trim that down for long-term storage, too. Might be a challenge!
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Comment on CGA-2026-08 🗡️🛡️❤️🔺 REMOVE CARTRIDGE ⏏️ The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past in ~games
Wes LinkThis is one of the first games I can remember playing. It holds immense nostalgic value for me for that reason alone, but as it turns out, it's also just a great game in its own right. More than...This is one of the first games I can remember playing. It holds immense nostalgic value for me for that reason alone, but as it turns out, it's also just a great game in its own right.
More than any other title, LTTP channels the feeling of setting out on a quest. Your uncle has fallen, and you must take up the sword with no training. Through adversity, you defeat foes, get stronger, and save the world. It sounds like a tired plot, but it just works so well here.
There is constant progression as you find new gear, unlock hearts by discovering secrets, and meet odd characters who sometimes help you out. By the end of the game, you really do feel like the hero you set out to be.
LTTP provides a lot of tools, and many help you deal with specific challenges. Enemies are often designed with specific weaknesses, like shooting Eyegores with a bow, or flipping Turtles by hammering the ground.
Admittedly, a few of the tools can feel a little redundant. The Cane of Byrna is functionally very similar to the Magic Cape, and the Ice Rod sees little air time. The shovel is a one-and-done, and this game's rendition of the boomerang is quickly outclassed by the hookshot. Still, most tools are situationally useful, and game knowledge helps you know your Bombos from your Ether.
LTTP has some great dungeons, both in theme and design. The difficulty is never overwhelming, but they still include plenty of puzzles and combat sections. I do appreciate how the traps are usually (usually) not too punishing, and are often as harmless as turning you into a bunny for a short while.
One dungeon criticism I have is that there's a bit too much reliance on mazes as a challenge. I don't mind getting lost in a complex dungeon, but I'd rather not pace the same pitch-black room for minutes as I look for the exit.
The overworld design is perfect, though, and I love both the light and dark worlds. The theme song for the latter remains one of my favourites, and there are just so many secrets to find. It's crazy that they packed everything in this game into less than a megabyte.
I've played through LTTP a handful of times over the last 30 years, but it's been a long time since I last played. I was glad to see it selected for the CGA.
Since I and many others have previously played this game, I suggested a multi-person randomizer run via Archipelago, which I completed with @Durinthal, @MimicSquid, and @Dendrian. My apologies if the Insert Cartridge thread was a little noisy as a result.
For this run, my seed was very front loaded with damage. I had the level 3 sword from nearly the start, and yet I didn't get any defensive items until the back third of the run. No shield or tunic upgrades! I felt like a glass cannon as I could take down bosses in 2-3 swings, yet also took huge damage on every hit. I was surprised by how much a simple shield helped with survivability, especially against the many projectiles the game throws at you.
Many of the important key items were locked at the very end of the game. One in our group had both levels of power gloves locked behind Ganon's Tower in another player's game, and two of us went without flippers for 90% of the game. Poor Durinthal had to enter the dark world dungeons with nothing but a few hearts and a hammer, which does not have a good reach. Yet this kind of variety is what makes randomizers such a fun prospect.
It was enjoyable, and took just under a week to complete while playing asynchronously. It was also an interesting experiment into a more collaborative way of doing the CGA. My thanks to my comrades-in-arms for joining me on this adventure.
THPS remains one of my favourite series. Unlike a lot of these older series that I'm nostalgic for though, I still regularly revisit this one.
Surprisingly, quite a few of these games have received PC releases. Back in the day, I played through every game with a PC release in order. That's basically everything from THPS 2 up through American Wasteland. I later played through THPS HD and THPS 3+4 when they came to PC, too. I think I missed THPS 1+2 because it was Epic-exclusive for so long.
Of the lot, THPS 3 has always been my favourite. It was my first Tony Hawk game, so there's surely some bias there, but I still love its iconic levels. Foundry, Canada, and Airport are all fantastic stages. I recently replayed these in THPS 3+4, and it was really neat to see them in HD. They even introduced the COMBO mechanic from THPS 4 — probably the best part of that particular game — which I was very glad to see.
Underground 1 is another favourite. Introducing an edgy story to play through really captured my attention. The levels weren't anywhere near as memorable, and I don't know what they were thinking with that car driving minigame, but the career progression felt so much more meaningful than in other games. Underground 2 was so over-the-top and Jackass-inspired that it didn't carry the same grounding that immersed me in the first game.
But I've still enjoyed basically every Tony Hawk game I've played. At this point, I've seen stages like Hangar and School II so many times that I didn't feel I needed to go back and replay THPS 2 to talk about it for this CGA. Even with the more limited moveset of this classic though, its precision and feel is unmatched. They found the perfect balance in requiring skill and poise, while still allowing ridiculous tricks and arcade action.
I love how these games silently guide you. There's no giant arrows or flashing text, yet the player intuitively starts to spot ramps, rails, and lines in everyday objects. The gap bonuses are like little rewards for finding connections in the stage. It all feels so rewarding to get better at.
Lastly, they really nail the aesthetic of the skater scene. The graffiti, the clothes, and especially the music. So many great picks accompany these games, and I discovered a lot of great punk/underground artists as a result.
I think what really surprises me about these games though is how culturally influential they were. I know multiple people that bought skateboards specifically because of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. As much as Tony Hawk's may have borrowed from skate culture, it also gave back, driving mainstream adoption and influencing a new generation of skaters.