Vince McMahon's media giant known as the WWE has ruled the professional wrestling world for the last three decades. Selling out arenas translated to TV shows, which became monthly Pay Per Views, which eventually spawned a slew of video games. In 2005, after a long string of fairly mediocre games, WWE launched the Smackdown Versus Raw Franchise. While most of the games have received more than favorable reviews, fans of the series have always feared the impending laziness that occurs when a franchise has no considerable competition (See: Madden 2007-2008). Can SVR 2011 quell fans' fears? Or have the chair shots and ladder matches finally gotten stale?
Story
You want a story? Pick one. The popular Road to WrestleMania mode reappears with new, original stories featuring some of the biggest WWE superstars. While it may feel like last year’s model, this year features some interesting tweaks bringing fans closer to reality. I chose Christian, the ECW champ and Captain Charisma himself. RTW lets you traverse the backstage area, interacting with divas and superstars alike. You could easily just mind your own business, however there’s zero fun in that, and you won’t get all the unlockable goodies. It serves you much better to talk trash, pick fights, and make some allies along the way. RTW tosses in some RPG elements as well. Each fight earns you points that can be used towards bettering your chosen superstar. Now don’t get me wrong, nothing in this world is perfect and RTW is no exception. The camera used to roam backstage is nauseating, and it can come off as extremely cheesy at time. However, the stories themselves are beyond awesome. They did a great job this year of really capturing the unpredictability and true spirit of the WWE. There are plenty of moments that made me raise both hands in the air, and cheering like I was at a live event.
Gameplay
Allow me to introduce WWE Universe, a mix between the old career mode, and exhibition modes. Universe introuduces a very lifelike, infinite WWE schedule, complete with every TV show and Pay Per View. Fans of the create a character mode will be enthralled as their new superstar must fight his way to the top of the card. Just like the real WWE, superstars must fight their way up the ranks on Raw, Smackdown, and WWE superstars even get considered for a title. However much like the real WWE, there is always somebody like to get ahead of you. Universe tracks real fueds, that the game generates at random. For example, after battling up the ranks, my character was finally ready to capture his first title, however a little feud I had had with Ted Dibase came back to haunt me, as he popped out of nowhere and cost me the title. The universe also doesn’t just surround you. The game makes sure everybody as something going on, as new teams are formed and broken up quite frequently, and titles often change hands. Depending on the heat of your rivalry, you can expect to randomly be attacked before or after a match, or even during. Your Foes might buy a ticket and sit in the front row, they may even call a truce and form a tag team. As good ole Jim Ross would say “Anything can happen in the WWE”
The controls are pretty standard from years past, but the physics have greatly improved. The biggest sign can be seen in specialty matches, players no longer can run around flying off ladders and wildly swinging sledgehammers. Also, the new damage system lets the player focus on one area to score quick pinfalls or submissions. There’s an all new system to kicking out as well, giving a more realistic feel to being in the ring overall.
Sound
The announcers really do seem to follow your stories and rivals, but it’s still nothing to write home about. Entrance themes sound like entrance themes, and Michael Cole still sounds like a tool. Nuff said.
Visuals
The series is still using the same graphics engine as last year, but if you see the games you’ll realize there isn’t anything wrong with that.
Replay
Judgment on the online mode has been temporality suspended, largely because it has been unavailable since the game was released. THQ has however stayed in touch with their fans, stating a patch is being worked on. Also the story designer makes a comeback, so there is still plenty to do. Playing online will require you to either buy the game brand new, or buy an AXXCESS pass, much like EA Sports do now.
Overall
Give the WWE big kudos this year for trying some new things. I think the WWE universe mode rocked, and RTW never fails to please. I would like to see the focus of the game shift back towards making a created superstar into a household name, but nonetheless the game feeds my lust for “Real” WWE action. There is already promises of DLC, which should make it way into marketplaces next month. Let’s hope this is just the beginning of something awesome.
"Smackdown Versus Raw 2011" is on sale October 26, 2010 and is rated T. Fighting. Developed by YUKEs Future Media Creators. Published by THQ.
