It's all about the Game, and how playable it is Pt II

Buenas noches, hombre(s)


As Prince George III said in Blackadder: SAUSAGE  REVIEW TIEM!


Last saturday, due to circumstances I was a little early at the scene of my snooker match. Seeing as being 2 hours early doesn't accommodate well, I decided to head out and make my way to the multimedia shop (which I won't plug)


Last Friday saw the release of WWE SmackDown vs RAW 2011, which I said I would buy and review. I bought it, played it rigorously, and the review can be read below. Mind, I haven't exactly finished the game entirely, but did a lot.


First of all, I would like to rant on the DLC only characters. I was looking forward to dominate with the Nexus faction, but seeing as I don't have internet hooked up to my shiny black box, I can't. Shit's formidably bad.


Anyways. Unlike other editions, I secretly had high hopes for this game. The burning question being: "Have they delivered?" . I'll get to that.


I consider this game an overhaul of sorts. Nothing too big, but an overhaul nonetheless. Last year's edition saw a vast improvement on environmental moves and grappling additions. This year, it has been trimmed down, in the hopes of making it more realistic. No biggie, it has been reduced to the bare necessary, mostly. 


The Create-A-Finisher saw a new addition to the postion. Corner finishers. Why is beyond me.
Perhaps to accommodate to the new object collision improvement? I'm still waiting for my finishers from behind, or the ability to add them as signature moves really.


The new object collision is fantastic. Table hits still look a little messy, but at least the objects react to several outside factors. Ladders now break, tables break accordingly to the angle the superstar hits it, etc. 
Separate ladder finishers have been added as well. Always wanted to do an Unprettier Killswitch from the ladder. You have been served.


For the most part, it's still the same old soup. 


Several new finishers have been added, along with the vast number of wrestlers added. Drew McIntyre's Future Shock and Thee Move Scot Drop Reverse STO, Zack Ryder's Zack Attack ... Future Shock looks horrible by the way. Hardly resembling the actual move. Son, I am disappoint.


The new WWE Universe mode reminds me of the career mode in "WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role!" where you actually have rankings for every title and the ability simulate matches like the General Manager mode. Upside of it? Unlike in General Manager mode way back when, you don't have to bother putting together tedious card after tedious card to get a show running. Game is smart and generates a new show card, based on existing rivalries/alliances. 


Of course, you can still override everything and create custom matches if you feel the need for it. Add to that the fact that you can also give yourself any title you like and you're set. Personally, I'm IC Champ (which I got by rising through the ranks, becoming #1 contender in a specific match and defeating Kerwin White's former caddy =) I didn't even know I was gunning for it.


My CAW is also Unified Tag Champ w/ William Regal ... a tradition I've kept up for the past few years.
Yeah, I hardly ever play with actual wrestlers. I always use CAW's.


Create-A-Superstar hasn't seen much improvement, aside from the fact that you can add some different clothers and hairstyles. I kid you not, I saw facial hair options that resembled the facial hair of the following people:

 Scott Ian from Anthrax

Shavo Odadjian from System of a Down

I kid you not. Ahem, you can also add some new costumes to the mix, including blatantly taking them from a template. In my case, that means a costume as "cinematic attire" (cutscenes)

The Road to Wrestlemania ... well, I wish I could say it was an improvement but it's pretty gimmicky. Wrestlers who don't wanna talk to you mutter funny line after funny line that always comes down to "Get the fuck out of my face". Either way, the dialogue is pretty well written, but the acting leaves much to be desired. The same goes for the digital counterparts of the voice actors and their inability to lipsync. Tiny details, I know.

Story wise, this years RTWM is the shit. Really. the VS Undertaker storyline is amazing, especially adding Paul Bearer and Masked Kane to the mix (you can see why I'm sold). Chris Jericho's storyline is good, Christian's storyline is AWESOME (E&C return, obviously), John Cena's storyline is good (the bad part being actually having to use Cena)

All of these minor details I didn't like (such as having to UNLOCK Regal, and still having no Regalplex) this game is probably the best Yuke's has delivered in years. It's far from perfect and any half-a-brain game reviewer would put it down the pooper (or at least make some very dated wrestling references usually involving the words muscles, oil, tight and spandex) but I liked it.

Spicy detail? There are several versions of it available. Regular versions and special ones. I had my hands on the regular edition until I spotted "The Viper Edition" for the same price. So for no buck extra I got my hands on a signed Randy Orton promo card, access codes for Randy Orton's special attires and .... TA-DUM!

WWE No Mercy 2007 DVD. While it wouldn't be a DVD I'd have to have, it's nice to get it for absolutely zilch. The beauty of this pay per view lies in the fact that it doesn't feature Cena (who had just been injured) and no less than three WWE title matches, all of them having Triple H holding it. I don't care, I'm gonna watch it.

T-T-T-That's All Folks! ©Porky Pig

~D.

P.S. - Is it inappropriate that I laughed at a segment from yesterday's RAW? The Vinnie Mac coma scene with Freddie Prinze, Jr. being the doctor was somehow hilarious. I didn't like the midterm election plugging though.