Tony Hawks Underground is as good as it gets

I can't really say I'm a huge Tony Hawk game follower, but I have played a few of the Pro Skater games over at friends houses and always considered it to be a treat. I convinced my parents to let me buy Underground however, despite it's T rating, because one of my friends kept raving about it. And now, 2 months later, I am still as hooked on it as ever.
As I said, I never really played any of the Pro Skater games that frequently, so I can't judge this game based on those ones. When it comes to rating video games, these criteria come to my mind:
Graphics: This one is obvious and Underground scores about a 9 with it. In game graphics are great, the city scapes and scenery are spectacular. One area where this game lacks in this department is in the premade game videos, where the sound doesn't really match up with characters mouth movements and the up close shots of characters are awkward.
Gameplay: You can't really get much better than Underground for this category. The controls are smooth and make sense. Not that much to say except that when you play this game there isn't any feeling of confusion or having to figure stuff out. It's all layed cleanly and clearly in front of you
Replay value: I believe, unlike some, that Underground has an immense replay value. The story mode is absolutely fantastic and can be changed to suit your challenge needs. Its "Too easy" mode is, in fact, incredibly easy and its "Sick" mode is very hard for hardcore THPS vets. And "Beginner" and "Normal" modes in between keep the balance. For those who think story mode is a "once-you-beat-it-your-done" kind of thing, you couldn't be farther from the truth. If you beat story mode in beginner, normal, or sick mode you unlock an awesome cheat character (Iron Man for beginner, Gene Simmons of Kiss for Normal, and T.H.U.D., the monster in the opening credits, for sick). This makes story mode replayable at least 3 times, and for me it's even more after that because it's simply so enjoyable. And if you go back and complete each of the goals, you get some awesome new cheats.

Those are my main 3 criteria, but other factors do come into account. The playlist, for example. This is a minor detail for me since sound can be turned off and, in the case of Underground, the playlist can be edited. I usually just edit it down to two or three of my favorite songs and let them play over and over. I also enjoyed the Create A Trick feature and the Create A Park one also. Also, the sound of wheels on pavement and when you grind on a rail is very realistic (although I have to laugh when grinding a volleyball net produces sparks).

This game is everything I could want in a game, and it seems like there is something incredibly therapuetic about coming home after school and busting out a huge combo on the other side of the world. However, I have one slight bone to pick:

You start off as a skater punk in New Jersey just too darn good. How many undiscovered talents do you think there are that can do a Christ Air? How bout a Nose manual to a Hardflip to a Nosebluntside on a house gutter? I think maybe you should start with the basics, like an Indy, Melon, Nosegrab, Tailgrab, Kickflip, Heelflip, etc. and gain new tricks as you go. Maybe. I dunno, it just seems a little to unrealistic to me.

But overall this game is, for me, the game of the year, and realistic or not it's the most fun I've had looking at a TV screen since The Simpsons premered. This game is not rentable, at least not if you want the full effect of it. It's worth every penny you slap down for it. And might I add that the final video is absolutely awesome (tip: beat story mode in too easy mode first so it's easier to beat the last final level, and then you never have to beat it in a harder mode after that)