I haven’t experienced Forza Horizon 6 yet, and chances are, you haven’t either. It won’t be released until May 19, and only a select few—such as my buddy Adam—have received an advance copy for review (check out ours here). We were chatting about the game, and he brought up a mission that seemed oddly familiar. Suddenly, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia. Then it dawned on me: It’s akin to my favorite side quests from Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, but with automobiles.
In Forza Horizon 6, automotive photographer Larry Chen appears multiple times. He’s a character who assigns you driving missions, enabling him to capture remarkable shots of stunning cars in iconic Japanese settings. In one mission, titled “Shutter Speed,” you need to reach 90 mph in a Mugen-tuned Honda CRX while navigating a bridge close to Daikoku Parking Area. The entire objective is to freeze motion for a fictitious car magazine.
If you played Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 like I did (obsessively), you might recognize this. That game featured tasks where you spoke to renowned skate photographer Atiba Jefferson, who has contributed to Transworld, Thrasher, and others. He assigned you specific tricks to execute so that he could capture incredible shots of impressive flips and grinds in iconic locales like Alcatraz. Are you following my lead?
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 (PS2) – Alcatraz: Goals
I was instantly drawn into this. It had to be intentional! Someone at Forza must have known! Then I thought, “I’ll just ask Larry.”
And that’s exactly what I did. I contacted Larry Chen, acknowledging that my inquiry was quite niche and perhaps even a tad obscure. His reply was everything I had anticipated and more.
“I absolutely love this question because I’m actually good friends with Atiba Jefferson,” Chen wrote in an email. “We’re both Canon Explorers of Light. I’m the only automotive and motorsports photographer in the group, and he’s the skate photographer, so it naturally led us to become close over the years at Canon events and camera launches. We even got inducted into this exclusive group on the same day.”
“I’m quite aware of his role in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, and when I informed him I was going to be in Forza Horizon 6, he actually shared numerous stories about his time working on Tony Hawk.”
See! I knew there had to be a connection!
“The funniest story was that he apparently recorded all his voice lines for the game, but the studio later decided that his real voice didn’t suit the character, so they replaced all of his lines with a voice actor,” Chen recalled. This is somewhat common knowledge, and they even discuss it in Vice‘s fantastic documentary on Jefferson. “Naturally that’s unfortunate,” Chen continued, “but over the years it has transformed into one of those amusing stories we chuckle about together.”
“It’s honestly quite cool that both of us went through similar rites of passage in our respective realms. Him through skate culture and Tony Hawk, and me through automotive culture and Forza. The Canon connection between us makes us a dream team, I guess, haha.”
Chen shared with me that becoming a video game character was a genuine “pinch me moment.”
“I stood there surrounded by all these Canon cameras while they scanned my body, my face, even my teeth. It just felt surreal. To become a character in Forza Horizon 6, which may very well be the most significant car racing game of our era, is something I never could have envisioned growing up.”
Personally, I don’t anticipate ever becoming a character in Forza Horizon (or the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series, for that matter). But crazier things have happened. I’m not losing hope just yet.
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**Forza Horizon Unveils Unexpected Feature Echoing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4**
The Forza Horizon series, celebrated for its expansive racing environments and immersive worlds, has perpetually expanded the horizons of what players anticipate in racing games. In a delightful twist, the latest version has unveiled a feature reminiscent of the cherished classic, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, exciting enthusiasts from both gaming communities.
**The Feature: Trick System**
Central to this new addition is a trick system that permits players to execute stunts and tricks while driving. Much like the combo-driven gameplay of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, players can now perform a host of aerial maneuvers and stylish drifts. This feature promotes ingenuity and skill, allowing players to accumulate points for their actions during races and free roam adventures.
**Gameplay Mechanics**
The trick system is crafted to be user-friendly, enabling players to effortlessly incorporate tricks into their driving. By utilizing a combination of buttons, players can initiate flips, spins, and various stunts while airborne or during drifts. The game rewards players for chaining tricks together, akin to how Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 rewards for sustaining combos. This introduces an additional layer of complexity to the gameplay, urging players to navigate the environment for prime stunt opportunities.
**Environmental Interaction**
A standout aspect of this feature is its interaction with the environment. Players can leverage ramps, hills, and other terrain elements to launch their vehicles airborne and execute tricks. This enhances the exhilaration of racing while motivating exploration of the beautifully designed open world. Players can uncover hidden areas and refine their trick techniques, reminiscent of the skate parks and urban landscapes found in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4.
**Community and Competition**
The introduction of the trick system has ignited a wave of community participation, with players showcasing their best stunts and trick combos online. Leaderboards and challenges have been introduced, allowing players to vie for the highest scores and flaunt their talents. This competitive element mirrors the multiplayer experience of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, where players could engage in trick competitions against each other.
**Conclusion**
The integration of a trick system in the latest Forza Horizon installment signifies an innovative blend of racing and skateboarding mechanics, drawing inspiration from the iconic Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4. This feature enriches the gameplay experience and cultivates a sense of community among players. As the Forza Horizon series continues to evolve, this surprising addition reflects the developers’ dedication to creativity and player interaction. Fans of both racing and skateboarding games have plenty to anticipate as they explore this thrilling new aspect.