Solid wrestling game (WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009 (PS2))

Member Name: shaneo632

Product:	WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009 (PS2)
Date:	06/09/09 (15 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good visuals and mechanics

Disadvantages: Too formulaic

The Smackdown vs Raw series began very promisingly indeed, although it's sadly gotten "EA syndrome", where there's not really much different betwen each outing as sadly, they're too into the habit of making sure they get a new title out every year without innovating or focusing on how to enhance the gameplay. Also, is there enough change in the wrestling world to really warrant a game every year? Much like the FIFA games, they'll fiddle around with "new" gameplay features to try and justify you spending more money, but sadly, it's too much of the same. That said, it is impressive from a visual standpoint.

SVR '09 changes only a small things from last time - there is a new Inferno match mode (which fans have been wanting since the old WWF Attitude days!), and the difficutly has been noticably toned down. Even on the harder difficulties it's still not too challenging, and so you may find yourself wanting something that throws a little more at you. Most of the other mechanics, like Create A Wrestler mode, have been virtually untouched, with just a few additions to the clothing line.

What disappointments me most is the Road to WrestleMania mode which, like the last few installments, is a fairly lazy offering, only allowing you to perform a specially created mode with a few wrestlers. It does mean that completing it unlocks new wrestlers, but sadly most wrestlers don't have a proper story-based career mode.

The visuals are quite enticing - the wrestlers are all realistically rendered, and stuff like the entrances are meticulously animated, in as much as the developers have definitely watched the entrances a few times and taken firm note. Also, the sets of the various PPVs are also very accurately brought to you. The sound aspect is also very well done - some wrestlers have lent their voices to the game (although not enough), and the commentary is spot on and less glitchy than previous installments.

This is a decent wrestling game, but sadly the SVR games have become quite formulaic and it's difficult to really justify buying one every year unless you're really into them.

Summary: Samey but good