A mix up of the outstanding and the failure's (WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2010 (PS3))

Member Name: aasimontheweb

Product:	WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2010 (PS3)
Date:	29/10/09 (38 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beatiful graphics and some very well polished off game modes.

Disadvantages: GAMEPLAY!, why haven't they improved the gameplay?

There are only so many criticism's you can have of wrestling in itself, many tend to say that it is a fake sport and should not be worthy of our viewing. I cannot agree with these claims however, and I thoroughly enjoy catching up with Monday night RAW or Friday Night Smackdown when they come on. I think that wrestling is not fake but more of a soap just like modern day Eastenders and Hollyoaks just with a different take on the action!

Still nowadays I remember playing Smackdown vs Raw : Here comes the pain on my Playstation 2, it had cutting edge graphics and a very fine picture quality. But when compared to the latest edition of Smackdown vs Raw you can see the phenomenal change that the video gaming industry has gone through, it is rather intriguing to compare the two games and mark out the notable differences.

The latest edition of Smackdown vs raw is called... Smackdown vs raw 2010 and it promises up to date roster's and all new gameplay modes and enhancement's compared to previous versions.
On first inspection I found that it is very easy to maneuver through the main menu and to find the location that you are looking for. Unlike the regular Smackdown vs raw's it has a Training Facility as a back drop instead of a Diva or possibly a Super star wrestler.

These are the sort of changes you will expect from a computer game that promises to be the 'best wrestler out there' But what modes/changes are there in the game different to the previous titles?

Royal Rumble:
I seem to have noticed that game manufacturers always seem to focus on one aspect of a game and make some noteable changes, then highlight the change that has occured and highlight it as the main part of they're marketing campaign!
THQ have done something along the lines of that, and have improved the Royal Rumble in a number of ways. For those of you who don't know what a Royal Rumble is, it is a match consisting of a set amount of wrestlers enter the ring at different numbers until all of the wrestlers have entered the ring. While wrestlers are entering, simultaneusly Wrestlers are being eliminated from the game by being thrown out by one way or another, and landing with both feet on the floor outside the ring which normally occurs when a wrestler is thrown out by another opponent.

What was wrong with the old Royal rumble?
Well many of the fans simply thought there wasn't a range of elimination options, as the only way to eliminate another opponent was through throwing them over the ropes and 'button mashing'
However now THQ have corrected they're faults and have brought gamers New and inspired elimination mini games!

The Bottom, Middle and Corner rope eliminations:
THQ have played it safe in my opinion and have introduced method's which work when the attacker is on the apron or at the rope. Being just a few of the 'new' ways I think that these methods are just modified versions of the original 'put them over the rope' techniques.
Not original at all.

Royal Rumble Finishers!
These get me really excited as they twist the original finisher situation and eliminate an oponent at the same time!
THQ seem to have jumbled up the actions for this as some mini games require button mashing and others require a technical angle, a great blend of moves to use including Chokeslam finishes!
Innovative and Pristine Gameplay.

Escaping and Eliminating:
The controls for escaping elimation in my opinion are way too easy to use!
They require just a button press and congratulations you've escaped being thrown off the edge of the ring by a 500 pound monster!
However THQ seem to have combined the idea of Big guys into the royal rumble, I mean not everybody is going to be 5 foot 7.
So they have created multiple eliminations which now endanger anyone in the ring who is eliminating by adding the optional chance of someone coming up behind you and pushing you off!
It adds the intensity and fear when eliminating someone.

Now THQ would not be a very big organisation if that was the ONLY change they made, but no THQ did make a few more changes and added a whole new mode altogether!

Get ready Wrestling fans, THQ now brings you an all new Story Mode Designer, does sound good dosen't it?

In fact it actually is brilliant!, the story designer allows you to create original match up's between rivals and friends with the hundreds of tools at your disposal. While having an arguement between two challengers for the championship ever fancied having two guys and the champion jumping the contenders?
Well now you can! you can now include up to five superstars in a 'scene' which could be anyone! They can smile or they can run or whatever.
You control every aspect of the scene whether it be the camera angle or the cast for the match. Yes it is only a fresh new idea which could have some changes applied to make it better, but I feel it is a great way to kick start the new decade.

Another noteable change is the ability to change superstar's attire and ring wear. Ever fancied making the undertaker dress like a girl? being able to customise the ring attire is a very easy tool to use and after fine tuning it this year it adds a certain degree of value to the gameplay.
Then aswell as changing the attire you can then post it for the world to see on Playstation network, where users can download your work and you can pass on your artistic flair to others.



New changes get a rating of 4/5 for me.
Some great additional features combined into the gameplay but could be worked on and polished off such as the fluidity of the gameplay but I think THQ have done a good job of they're new release.

As we are on the subject of fluidity I think it is about time we talked about the gameplay when you are actually playing the game itself.
The verdict I'm afraid isn't a very good one. When comparing the 2009 version to the up to date 2010 version the differences are minimal. Despite THQ's promises the all new momentum meter is doing the same job as the previous finisher meter.
With no added moves to use minus the signature moves that superstar's can use it is an 'EXACT' copy of the previous functioning game.
Now for the £35 that you pay for it you are going to want some sort of major improvement with the fluidity of the gameplay.

Well no, for the £35 you get the same moves with some nice bonus improvements.
A major disappointment for me as I was expecting a little too much.

Another beatifully polished off feature is the Road to Wrestlemania mode which now includes a Co-Op mode which you play as one of the two tag team superstars and go through the Road to Wrestlemania.
I wont ruin it but this years mode is Amazing. It has twists and turns involving inter brand wars, Jealousy is the main emotion used to 'bubble up' the story line and include some great turns.
I guarantee you will not see them coming!
Every time I think of a game however I expect the most improved game to date, and yes it does have some improvements.
But why did THQ not improve the core point of a game? The main reason you are playing the game? The gameplay is meant to be for enjoy ment but THQ have made a hash of it.
Would I recommend it?
No I wouldn't I'm afraid, firstly as next year's is bound to be much better and include more realism than ever before ( more THQ promise!)
Also because I feel that it hasn't been perfected yet, and as a consumer we should expect nothing less than perfection and the utmost hardest work is expected to have gone into it.
THQ definitely haven't tried they're best, despite some great features they need to work on the game a little bit more to warrant purchase.

Thanks for reading

Summary: A Major drawback scores it a 3/5