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What happens when one company is so much better than its “competitors” that they can no longer afford to run and sell out? Whoever owns the license of the big company, pretty much gets the best licensed wrestling title. THQ has the current WWE license but that didn’t stop Acclaim and Acclaim Studios Salt Lake City from making Legends of Wrestling and its sequel, Legends of Wrestling II.
The game’s biggest asset, its classic characters, returns in full force. You have everyone from Hulk Hogan to Scott Steiner (both recently signed to the WWE) to Andre the Giant and Sid Vicious. There are over 65 wrestlers and each one features their own introduction and finishing move.
The core gameplay of the game remains virtually untouched. The controls are a bit clunky, especially if you are used to THQ games. Much like Acclaim’s previous Legends of Wrestling, LoW II, is based on pressing a button then pressing another button to do moves. Everything from punching, to kicking, to grapping, to pinning and reversals is done through clever button “mashing.” While that simplifies the easier moves, the harder moves are a lot harder than they should be. When you are able to successfully execute your wrestler’s finishing move, you have accomplished quite a feat.
Acclaim Studios Salt Lake City has packed quite a bit of modes into the game. The now infamous Career mode is present here. Throughout your journey to obtain the World Belt, you will need to pass through five areas with some drama here and there. If you just want to play, you can find a handy Exhibition mode. There you can play Tag Team, Three Way Matches, Four Way Matches, Battle Royal, Cage and even Ladder matches. The game allows up to four simultaneous players for certain matches making it an amusing multiplayer game. You’ll be able to face off in tag-team, three way and four way matches with some of your buddies.
Legends of Wrestling had a… unique visual appearance and LoW II keeps the tradition. Depending on your view point, the graphics may or may not appeal to you. Sadly, there seems to be more people who fit into the “don’t appeal” category. The wrestlers aren’t very realistic but somehow, you can tell who is who. Their animations, movements and mannerisms are in tact. All characters however, have that…“Fake, car” shine to them. The environments look pretty solid and detailed.
Audiowise, the soundtrack is pretty rockin’. If you hear a few minutes of the game, it sounds very legitimate. Each wrestler legend has their own theme music and the announcer is on track most of the time. The promoters have some voice acting, which adds a bit of depth to the game. The wrestlers, themselves, don’t speak like themselves.
“Legends of Wrestling II” is another decent attempt by Acclaim. It doesn’t improve on the original too much, especially in the gameplay. The game is extremely fun in multiplayer mode, and there are many legends included. This is definitely a rental and depending on your experience, maybe a purchase. -- Jose Liz, PGNx Media
---- Feb 6, 2003
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