Many gamers are ecstatic to see the Tony Hawk series being resurrected after falling dormant back in 2015. The iconic franchise has been plagued with a slew of questionable titles that almost ruined the entire franchise, including Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5, which released in a nearly unplayable state. It seems that the franchise is finally getting itself back on track with the upcoming Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 remaster set to release in September. Fans hope that, if the game lives up to expectations, more Tony Hawk games will follow. And while there are more games in the franchise to remaster, the Underground subseries deserves a new game altogether.

Tony Hawk's Underground is very different from the rest of the franchise. The 2003 title introduced an engrossing storyline following a young skater who ventures out from his rough neighborhood in New Jersey to follow his dreams of becoming a professional skater. It was the first Tony Hawk game to have an elaborate plot, which made the game stand out. It also lets players get off their skateboard for the first time, allowing them to crank out combo lines like never before. Tony Hawk's Underground received a sequel in 2004, but it had a much zanier and over the top vibe than the original. No other Underground games were released after this, and the series was largely forgotten.

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Underground strayed away from the traditional Tony Hawk gameplay style and went for a story-driven narrative. These plot lines may not have been the best ones every written, but they were a breath of fresh air compared to previous titles. A new story-driven Underground game would fit perfectly on next-gen consoles. Game narratives and storytelling have come a long way since the early 2000s, and the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 will be able to immerse players in a detailed storyline better than previous consoles could. The plot doesn't have to be a revolutionary epic tale that delves into a skater's inner struggle or anything too intense, just something deep enough to get players intrigued and keep them interested. It would also break up the monotony of playing through timed levels over and over again.

Next-gen hardware could also give developers more freedom, allowing them to make a huge open-world for players to explore. Tony Hawk's Underground had an urban and rebellious vibe to it, really making it feel like an inner-city with a punk rock scene. A new game could take place in an expansive urban world full of spectacular handrails and awe-inspiring gaps. The Skate series successfully pulled off a skateboard-friendly open-world, proving that it's possible to make such an environment engaging.

The Tony Hawk's Underground subseries skated to the beat of its own drum. The games were unlike previous Tony Hawk titles, providing players with a fresh skateboarding experience full of unique storylines, urban settings and outstanding gameplay. The games remain hidden gems, oft-overshadowed by the iconic Pro Skater titles, and it's a shame they haven't been revisited yet. Regardless, the Underground games deserve to make a comeback, and a new, next-gen title could really push the series into the modern era.

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