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WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 Review
November 11th 2008 00:12
Yes, there is another wrestling game, much less another SmackDown VS Raw game... But since it's been released and since we're all playing it, I'm writing a review for those who haven't played it yet.
SmackDown vs. Raw seems great, and in a way it's a little impressive with over 60 wrestlers and 14 different one-on-one matches, but when you get down to actually wrestling- punching, grappling, and slamming, it's not the most impressive.
Don't get me wrong SVR 09 is fun, but there's not much improvement from last years game. The basic controls are still there, but they've added a few minor touches like "Signature Move" when you set off a stored special and the ability to enter the ring via steel steps.
Otherwise, the game is reversal heavy, but it does sotre Finishers, break up pins in tag matches, and it'll give you some run for your money.
You have sliders to adjust the game's thinking if you're not 100% happy with the AI. Basically, adjust how effective the Finishers are, how much the computer reverses, and modify momentum rates. You can customize the sliders.
Using the game's Roster Editor, you can actually mold the WWE as you want by changing what brand people are on, giving and taking championships, and deciding who's clean or dirty. This is actually a pretty cool feature of the game, if you ask me.
You will also find alternate attires for some characters such as CM Punk, Rey Mysterio, Chris Jericho, and a few others.
There are 19 arenas that you can play in, not to mention that you can unlock the WCW brand and classic championship. You'll also find that you have a few gimmick matches such as the Inferno Match, Falls Count Anywhere Match, Parking Lot Brawl, KO-only match, and a few others.
There is also emphasis on the tag team scene. I won't give you many details, but let's say that there is something a little different about it. You'll just have to check it out and see for yourself.
The biggest change that you will notice is with the Superstar/Diva's Fighting Abilities. With SVR 09, the broad styles have been replaced with specific abilities. Every character has 6 fighting abilities that will give them special advantages in the ring, which makes them unique and varied. For example, Santino has the Dirty Pin ability so that he can use the ropes for leverage when going for the three count, whereas Big Show has the Hammer Throw ability which allows him to hurl his opponent over the top rope with a strong Irish whip.
Other than that, SVR 09 has Road to WrestleMania, which is probably one of the best storylines that you'll come across in a wrestling game. You get to choose to play as one of seven playable Superstars and take to the grappler into his original storyline. Chris Jericho, Triple H, the Undertaker, CM Punk, John Cena, and Rey Mysterio/Batistia all have angles that are unique to their own thanks to original voiceovers, branching storylines, cutscenes, and more. Each show starts with fireworks and an announcer's summary of what's going on and then ends with the WWE copywrite logo and the usual dramatic scene that you'd expect from a WWE program. Jericho has to figure out who the masked man that keeps attacking him is, Triple H has to choose between DX and Evolution, and Cena needs to figure out how to contend with MVP's new world order. And although this mode is only open to 7 characters, you'll find that once you get started, you'll be having loads of fun unlocking entrances, characters, and creating superstar pieces.
If you decide that you're not a fan of the Road to WrestleMania mode, you can always fall back on the Career mode. Unfortunately, though, the Career Mode is just the barebones. No matter who you choose, you'll start out with a pitiful rating and you'll have to choose a championship path- Cruiserweight, World Heavyweight, WWE, WWE Tag Team, World Tag Team, Intercontinental, Women's, United States, Hardcore, and ECW championships. When you get the required stars, challenge the number one, and unlock the next match, you can go face the chapmion, win the title, and then choose another career path.
There is more to the Career Mode, but you'll have to play it to find out all of the details that surround the mode.
Another new addtion to SmackDown vs Raw is the Create A Finisher, which allows you to create a finisher that is all yourse. There are supposidely over 500 moves that you can choose from, but as you begin to choose the options you become more and more limited as to what you can really do.
But, in all seriousness WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 is for the most part the same game that we see every year. There are a few upgrades, but it's really just a remake of last year's game.
But, you will never know if you will like the game or not until you try it. You can purchase SmackDown vs Raw 09 in the following consoles if you think that you can handle it...
Nintendo DS
Nintendo Wii
PSP
PlayStation 2
PlayStation 3
Xbox 360
The IGN rating is 7.8
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