WWE Smackdown vs Raw
- October 25, 2004 00:00 AM PST
THQ's latest pits the two big shows against one another-but more importantly, it's got online play! And more important yet, more bra and panties matches!
THQ's wrestling games are always evolving, striving, changing...straddling the line between trying to appease voracious wrestling fans and just trying to make a good fighting game. This year's PS2 game is a pretty big step in the right direction, as a lot of the big features fans have been clamoring for are finally in the game.The Smackdown series has always been known for its surprisingly fun, deep story mode--a pseudo-RPG with a WWE theme. This year's big change is honest-to-goodness voice-over from pretty much every wrestler in the game (and Vince McMahon, too), which adds a ton to the authenticity.
You're also able to more clearly define your role as a face or heel, and actively use your managers to your advantage during a match; for instance, having her grab chairs for you and distract the ref so you can properly use it. The game also lets you create custom championship belts, which can be transferred from memory card to memory card if you manage to beat the current holder in a match.
The next big thing is, of course, head-to-head online play. Unfortunately you can't bring the belts online (yet). The fighting engine handles a lot like the last game with some little tweaks to the grappling system, but the presentation and feature set is the best THQ has yet to offer.
