ECW Anarchy Rulz (DC) (ECW Anarchy Rulz (DC))

Member Name: thole09

Product:	ECW Anarchy Rulz (DC)
Date:	08/10/09 (26 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Passable Gameplay

Disadvantages: Some graphics, Some audio

"ECW Anarchy Rulz" is a video game which was released for the Sega Dreamcast in 2001 by Acclaim. It is a sports game with professional wrestling being represented. In the United States, the game received a rating of "T" which deemed it suitable for ages 13 and above.

After the disappointing reception of "Hardcore Revolution", ECW Anarchy Rulz was released to serve as a sequel and give professional wrestling gaming a more "ECW" feel. The former title was criticized for bearing too significant of a resemblance to other professional wrestling games and their respective promotions. Being that ECW was the radical outlaw of the professional wrestling world at the time, fans were obviously disappointed with the lack of "hardcore" content. Anarchy Rulz satisfied the much awaited blood lust by including new match stipulations such as a table match, street fight and brimstone match, and selectable arena types which included a backstage parking lot with makeshift ring area.

While developers were attempting to break free of the stigma which surrounded Revolution, Anarchy Rulz suffers in its gameplay by the fact that I found it to be quite like its predecessor. This is not necessarily a complaint, however, as I enjoy the more cerebral and methodical feeling which surrounds the title. Moves in the ring are delivered in a much slower fashion than what could be expected out of a professional wrestling game. This could be seen as a possible con to some but I personally enjoy this aspect. In Anarchy Rulz, players have access to to a career mode and belt tour mode alongside basic exhibition matches. I did not find any specific mode to have any distinct advantage over one another. I found myself particularly drawn to the career mode. Here, players must ascend a rankings ladder to acquire ECW branded championships. The player's ladder ranking is dependent on matches won and lost, and he or she will move up or down one space respectively. Upon reaching the 15th rank the player will be awarded with the ECW Television Championship and must win a further five title defenses to become a contender for the World Championship at the 1st position. Upon winning the world championship, each match thereafter is a title defense and the player may engage with the game until he or she loses the title and struggles to win it back.

The game does suffer from slight repetitiveness. I felt after I acquired the world championship that there was little else to participate in. Exhibition matches do allow the player to select certain stipulations and opponents, but these only serve as mere distractions from the bulk of the game held in the career mode.

The graphics of this title are acceptable in their presentation. Wrestlers appear large, well detailed and it is possible to differentiate between the 34 available combatants. It is unfortunate, however, that their detailing does not bear significant resemblance to what was seen formerly on television. Many finer details of the wrestlers, such as facial scarring, was not present in Anarchy Rulz. The audio is also somewhat lacking. Due to copyright restrictions, Anarchy Rulz was not able to include the popular theme songs created by other bands so several of the entrance themes are highly generic and slightly quirky. The sound effects are also less than stellar. Each match will be accompanied by constant voice snippets from commentator Joey Styles, and these become irritating to listen to during extended periods of gameplay.

It's unfortunate that Anarchy Rulz was the final video game installment for the ECW wrestling promotion. Shortly after this video game was released the company folded in bankruptcy. This title now serves as a nostalgia piece for me to remember the days gone, but it is not likely something which would appeal to a wider audience. Fans of professional wrestling may appreciate this game's flair but I would not be able to recommend it to those beyond this segment.

Summary: Thumbs in the middle