WWE: Day of Reckoning [E3 2004]

WWE: Day of Reckoning is upon us! Repent by checking it out from E3!

Say what you will about THQ?s wrestling games?just don?t say they don?t keep trying. The company has been constantly listening to fan?s complaints and suggestions as the series has evolved, and been going the extra mile to provide a completely different wrestling game on each console every year rather than just porting what they?ve got. This year?s lineup includes WWE: SmackDown! Vs. Raw, developed by Yuke?s and coming out for PS2 in Holiday 2004; WWE: WrestleMania 21, from Studio Gigante (yes, that?s John Tobias? development company, the makers of Tao Feng) scheduled for Xbox release in early 2005 (which means it will actually coincide with Wrestlemania this year!). It also includes WWE: Survivor Series, a GBA version slated to come out in Holiday 2004.

But the first one out of the gate will be WWE: Day of Reckoning, the next GameCube installment of the franchise. Critics of the last GC game will be pleased to know that developer Yukes is dropping the pseudo-cel-shaded look in favor of a much more realistic appearance, with sound, camera cangles, and special effects that are more true to the style of the show.

THQ is trying to recapture some of the old N64 glory (WWF No Mercy) with the latest game, concentrating on the grappling engine to deliver a more coherent, fluid momentum system. The game boasts and all-new submission system, location-specific damage (once again), more realistic reversals, and Superstar finishers. Fans of the last Smackdown game will be happy to hear that Day of Reckoning will have a much more Story mode that lets you take your Superstar through the ranks, working up the show ladder through Velocity, Heat, and all the way up to the big events. They?ll also be glad to hear that the Bra & Panties match makes an appearance in the game too?from what we saw, it looks very similar to what was in the PS2 version, albeit with improved graphics.

WWE: Day of Reckoning should hit GameCube shelves in Fall 2004.

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