The addition of an expansive video editor is a marvelous one. Here, anyone is able to pull a Spielberg (or, dare we say it, Uwe Boll) and put together their own skateboard clips, just like a professional. Many effects are accessible, such as multiple camera angles, lens effects, filters and other film goodies. Add in a soundtrack and then share it with Proving Ground's online community, along with the photo gallery put together through Story Mode. You also have a customizable Skate Lounge to tinker with, and you spend cash that you earn from the Story Mode to buy necessities. Friends are able to drop by and goof off or even send an invite to come check out their pad. While the sorely missed Create-a-Park would've been a better option, this is a suitable alternative.

The game's production remains energetic. Although the visuals are a slight downgrade from Skate, they still look impressive. Cities show specifics that span from political structures in Washington D.C. to the boroughs of Philly and Baltimore, amongst other areas. The skating moves effortlessly, with only the occasional camera or frame rate problem to get in the way. The coolest visual effect is still Nail the Trick, as everything goes into slow-motion and looks sweet as hell.

Proving Ground's soundtrack fits the game perfectly, with the Beastie Boys, Gorilla Biscuits and Folk Implosion (finally, someone put "Natural One" to good use) among others that play in the background. Several pro boarders also lend their voices to the game, although a few sound corny.

Tony Hawk's Proving Ground earns a recommendation, particularly for skateboarding nuts. The Video Editor will keep you busy for hours and the mixture of old and new gameplay components are more than enough to keep it from losing speed.