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Each wrestling game that comes out is always better than its predecessor and Smackdown vs. Raw is no exception. WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw is the sixth Smackdown game and it is one of the best wrestling games yet. But will this game be exactly like last years game? Read on.
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw’s season mode returns. The game removes a bit of the nonlinear nature of Here Comes the Pain, since you can no longer explore the backstage. You can only stay at your locker where you can purchase things from Shopzone, save your game, look at the titles, or proceed to the next match. In order to make up for this, Yuke’s added the WWE Challenge mode. In this mode, you are given objectives to complete during exhibition matches. Completing these objectives rewards you with money and special unlockables. This gives you a reason to play exhibition not just for fun but also for a reward.
Smackdown vs. Raw does have all of the matches from Here Comes the Pain with the addition of just one new mode this year called Parking Lot Brawl. Parking Lot Brawl is basically a hardcore match where you use cars as the weapon. Conversely, Royal Rumble has been changed slightly this year. The game adds a meter to tell you how close opponents are from being able to get thrown off, but it basically boils down to having more buttons to push.
Perhaps the most vaunted feature is the game’s online mode. Unfortunately, it isn’t all it is cracked up to be since you can only play in One-on-One and Bra and Panties matches. The online component is functional with few matches having lag, but man, once the lag hits it hits hard. Additionally, it seems rushed since there is no ranking system or any way to keep track of losses.
The excellent grappling system introduced WWE Smackdown! Here Comes The Pain is present once again. The developers at Yuke’s added a number of minigames in order to make the gameplay a bit more interesting. In this version you’ll find Chop battles, Stare Down battles, Test of strength, and Shoving battles. These minigames work in pretty much the same way, as you’ll find some sort of onscreen indicator and need to have quick reflexes in order to pull off a move before your opponent.
The game’s create-a-wrestler mode returns although it is pretty much the same as last year’s. You’re still given a wide variety of things to change in the character but the whole process could be made a touch simpler. In this game however, you can choose if a wrestler will fight dirty, fight clean, or be neutral. In the match you can fill up a bar, which when full, will reward you with special abilities. To fill up a dirty bar you do things that only a heel would do during a match like low blows for example. To feel up a clean bar you do things that would be approved by the fans like high-risk maneuvers. If you are fighting dirty and have a full bar you can do a low blow that will put away your opponent. If you are fighting clean you are temporarily invincible and your finisher is two times as powerful.
Aside from creating players, you also have the ability to create your own Pay-Per-View and a belt. You can even defend your belt against a friend. The more a belt is defended the more the belt will be worth. The Pay-Per-View creation isn’t incredibly in-depth but a neat little addition nonetheless.
Unfortunately, the game’s roster is reduced. There are still over 40 Superstars, including legends like Bret Hart but not nearly as much as previous games. Nonetheless, this isn’t a big deal since all of the top stars are included.
Smackdown vs. Raw is one of the best looking wrestling games ever made. Most of the wrestlers in the game almost look like their real life counterparts although there are some wrestlers that look a little off (Chris Benoit and Shawn Michaels to name a few). They animate rather well although there are a few clipping problems here and there, to remind you that this is the Smackdown! series. Each wrestler’s entrance is true to life with their current entrance themes, which is made better by the 3D crowd present. The arenas themselves are very detailed and complete the visuals. The frame-rate keeps up with the game for the most part, which is impressive to say the least.
The game’s audio component is a bit more mixed. A number of licensed tracks make up the game’s soundtrack, and the sound effects are as convincing as they have always been. Surprisingly, the game includes a lot of voice work. All of the WWE Superstars voiced their own character, although some of the wrestlers didn't seem to put any energy into their lines, which makes some of the dialog a little awkward. There are other wrestlers that did a really good job with the voice-overs. Additionally, the commentary can become repetitive as you will hear the same thing about three times in the same match. At least in this version we get commentary from J.R., The King, Michael Cole, and Tazz.
Smackdown vs. Raw is a very good game that any WWE fan should play. However, those looking for a leap as huge as Here Comes The Pain introduced will be disappointed. The much vaunted online mode isn’t nearly as great as it could have been. Additionally, the roster reduction and new modes just don’t radically change the game. Nonetheless, as I mentioned, Smackdown vs. Raw is still an excellent grappler.
-- Adam Nunez and -- Carlos Jones, PGNx Media
---- Nov 5, 2004
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