The most filmic and story-oriented goal within the Los Angeles level is the no-holds-barred quest to “Stop the Car Chase.” Within the dirty, panicky world of a city on the brink of catastrophe, this quest has direct correlation with the infamous earthquake episode that halts the map half way through a session.
Along the way, we will guide you through every step required—from triggering the environmental alteration to saving the damsel in distress trapped inside a suspended vehicle.
Overview: Urban Chaos and Action Sequences
The Los Angeles level has plenty of flowing traffic, alleyway lines, and humongous vert sections, but is also one of the only dynamic maps in the THPS series. You start with the city in one piece, but when you complete a set of rails, you’ll always cause an earthquake that completely remaps the level. Only after that can you complete the car chase and rescue.
This mission is accomplished in two stages:
- Initiating the Earthquake
- Ascending to Evade the Car Chase
Stage 1: Trigger the Earthquake
Initially, to disrupt the chase, you will need to trigger the quake. It is triggered by grinding four red rails located close to the city roads.
Red Rail 1: The Downhill Street Rail
From your starting position, skate left toward the descending hill. You’ll spot a bright red rail running straight down. Grind this rail to begin the sequence.
Red Rail 2: The Side Street Rail
At the bottom of the hill, make a right turn along the road. You’ll notice another red rail along the left-hand side of the sidewalk. Grind this to activate the second segment.
Red Rail 3: The Corner Slope Rail
Continue skating forward and make another right turn—you’ll now be facing uphill again. On your right, a red rail wraps up the corner’s incline. Grind this third rail to continue the chain.
Red Rail 4: Through the Building
After the corner, skate straight and you’ll spot the final red rail, which passes through a semi-collapsed building or construction zone. Grind this last red rail to trigger the earthquake. You’ll know it worked when the screen shakes, sounds rumble, and the world changes—new paths, destruction, and most importantly, access to the car chase finale.
Step 2: Stop the Car Chase
Once the earthquake is triggered, the ground movement provides access to the upper ledges and the destroyed freeway flyover where the rescue procedure is carried out.
Return to Starting Point
Proceed to where you first began the level. There, look to your left—you should see a wire composed of metal heading diagonally upward from street level onto the adjacent rooftop.
Wire Grind to the Rooftop
Grind up this wire towards the building. You’ll be pushed onto the roof as you grind. Be in balance—you can bail if you’re off line.
Rooftop Grind and the Broken Flyover
When you reach the rooftop, ride along it until you see the destroyed freeway flyover in front of you. Ollie from the roof to the flyover. If you can’t make it, you will need to circle around and try again through a nearby kicker or ramp.
Save the Girl on the Hanging Car
Skate through the trashed flyover. You can see a car suspended off the edge in the distance—a quintessential late-’90s action-movie flair. Ollie into or ride over it when you reach it to trigger the rescue cutscene. The damsel is saved, the mission is complete, and your skater is a city hero.
