PlayStation quietly drops free download for gorgeous remake

A highly anticipated upcoming title has dropped a new ‘free’ demo, albeit one with an enormous caveat.

The game in question is Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, a combined remake of 2001’s Pro Skater 3 and 2002’s Pro Skater 4.

While all of the content you love and remember is featured, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 also has a few new tricks up its sleeve, including new parks, additional skaters, and an updated soundtrack.

In our preview, GAMINGbible’s Ewan Moore had this to say: “With a seamless blend of old and new ideas, alongside a studio who really seem to care about doing this series justice, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 has all the ingredients to be the big, flashy celebration we all deserve.”

Ahead of its launch on 11 July, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 surfaced at the recent Xbox Showcase with a fresh update for fans.

Developer Iron Galaxy confirmed that the title would be receiving a free update … an update that’s only free if you, checks notes, pre-order the game.

This is, in my opinion, utterly baffling.

The idea of a demo is that you provide people with the chance to sample your game for free.

The whole goal is that the demo should persuade people who are on the fence to purchase the title.

Why would those who have already placed an order need to sample a demo? Surely, it’s just early access at that point and not a demo at all.

But there we have it; the ‘Foundry Demo’ is available across all platforms right now - PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch - for all of those who have pre-ordered Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4.

It’ll allow you to check out both the Foundry and College parks, using pro skaters Tony Hawk and Rayssa Leal.

It doesn’t matter which version you pre-order, although if you grab the Digital Deluxe Edition, you’ll also be able to play as Doom Slayer.

I can only hope that when Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 does drop in full, this demo might be made free for all.