Title: WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010
Platform: Multi
Platform Reviewed: 360
Developer:
Yukes
Publisher:
THQ
MSRP:$59.99 £49.99 €57.35
Writer: Martin
'lost' Perry
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 Review
Graaarggh! Play WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 fool!
There was a little bit of controversy surrounding the partnership between THQ and Jakks Pacific, the two companies that see to these yearly game iterations, as the two couldn't quite decide whether or not they really wanted to continue on. That was a bit alarming for me – although I rarely watch the show I always pick up the game every year. If THQ aren't that bothered about making them anymore then surely this one will end up being an afterthought?
Everything in the run up to the game's release suggested as much. Very little information was given out to the press including the likes of screenshots and new gameplay details. The focus on the 'Create-A-...' modes didn't really get me all too excited. A pleasant surprise then when I booted up 2010's version of the long-running wrestling franchise and found a much slicker, player friendly game waiting. To start with you get a FIFA Soccer style arena mode to learn the moves before you even head into the matches. There are a few tweaks to the overall control setup including repositioning of submission moves – that makes this quick tutorial mode a welcome addition.
Once your into the start menu's they remind you of EA's franchises once again. Organised in a sort of flow-chart manner you can quickly access the mode of your choice. Previous iterations of the game have hidden away content in places where the casual player is unlikely to find them but not this time. This makes these more niche modes more appealing through their ease of access. This access is further improved by the fact that (FINALLY!) the loading times have been fixed. Without an install on the 360 version I was playing I swiftly moved between menu screens and watched wrestler entrances without a good 30 seconds between.
Between the arena, menus and massively improved load times you already have a far slicker package than fans have been given before. This slick new design methodology carries into the matches with traditional HUDs being abandoned in favor of a small circular meter around the foot of your wrestler as he moves around the ring. This shows you the only information you ever really needed from the data on screen – how close you are to pulling off finishing and signature moves. Placing that knowledge at the foot of your player allows for a closer view of the match and gives that 'TV feel' that the series has lacked.
Overall presentation is the best it has ever been also. The models of wrestling favorites like John Cena, Randy Orton, Undertaker and HHH are finally useful representations of these in ring characters. In recent years it hasn't been detail that they have lacked but instead personality. Smackdown vs Raw 2010 goes a long way to adding that personality back in. The same goes for the arenas and the huge stages that fill them, great detail that properly evokes the feel of the shows. Unfortunately the commentary still sucks absolutely. The sound effects might be decent enough but JR and Jerry Lawler have still left android versions of themselves in charge of calling the matches.
Does this new found respect for the subject matter carry into the gameplay? Well, maybe a little bit too much actually. The WWE style of wrestling doesn't often rely on shock tactics but that's often what is needed to make matches continually interesting for the player. The Career and Road to Wrestlemania modes, which I'll discuss in more depth, both have a distinct preference for traditional one-on-one or tag team matches without the bizarre additions of tables, cages, coffins or flames. This is most likely an attempt to preserve the historical approach to building up confrontations but for a casual fan it feels more like a needless restriction on your creativity.
This creativity is free to roam outside of the main modes with as comprehensive a list of match types as you've come to expect. The new Create-a-Story mode allows you to piece these matches together along with wrestler interactions and text dialog. One for hardcore fans this allows you to create that crazy, 450 match long rivalry that ends up with broken tables and flying sickness. Along with this you've got the best versions of the Create-a-Finisher and Create-a-Wrestler that the series has ever had. The latter finally has realistic apparel with the items being properly 3D rather than painted on. These wrestlers can have their attributes improved through any mode in the game.
That includes the special attributes that allows THQ to make different styles of wrestler feel authentic during matches. Other than the few control changes the basic wrestling mechanics (and the issues that come along with them) are the same as they ever have been. With this being a slicker package with that all important easy-peasy tutorial area you'll make more of the special moves that allow quick wrestlers to do dodge-rolls or to others heal wounds. Most of these don't feel too gimmicky and fit in well with the normal flow of play. A reduction in the importance of countering makes matches more friendly to new-comers but may prove a peeve for experienced players.
With everything that's been improved it is a shame that no time was left over to fix the online side of things. It's still laggy, it still crashes and Americans (yes you!) still complain about these facts as if they are your fault. Keep things offline and the infinite Career mode will keep you busy. You've got a handful of lengthy Road to Wrestlemania stories to play through as well that provide hours of entertainment along with the occasional frustrating special requirement. Think you can pull of more than 14 finishing moves within 3 minutes while in a 3 against 1 situation? No, neither do I and it leads me to think that most of these conditions are rigged to stop story divergence. Regardless, these are good stories that don't require you to know a lot of back-story.
If you can't tell already I was really quite impressed by WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2010. I expected the laziest kind of update and instead got the slickest, fullest bundle of game content that Yuke's have put out in a long time. Comparisons to the mighty UFC 2009 Undisputed aren't welcome as far as I'm concerned. This is its own game and, while it is most certainly as bloated as it can afford to be, if this is the last game that this publisher and developer are responsible for (and that's a possibility but not a certainty) then its a pretty good way to go out. Great fun for all!
Score: 4 out of 5
The Good- Load screens are much less frequent and the game is, in general, much slicker.
- A treasure trove of content and modes.
- Create modes that keep on giving and that let hardcore fans share their ideas.
- The most refined the mechanics have ever been with spot on difficulty.
The Bad- Doesn't embrace the true craziness that it has the potential to display.
- Really poor commentary.
The Ugly
