Reviews for WWE SmackDown Vs. RAW

WWE SmackDown Vs. RAW

Strengths: Graphics, good controls, Create-a-belt, fun.

Weakness: Poorly implemented online play, no Stone Cold or Goldberg, more of the same.

Another year, another entry in the Smackdown series. While I was never a huge fan of the engine that Yukes developed for this franchise, I must admit that it has gradually improved to a point where it rivals the old N64 WWF games (Wrestlemania 2000 and No Mercy). The game feels less arcadey and more like a simulation (if that's possible in a "fake" sport) then previous games in Smackdown. The graphics are quite good, sporting highly detailed texture mapping and more polygons then last year's "Here Comes the Pain." The grappling system and controls are similar to last year but there are button timing mechanisms that allow you to break submission holds and win test of strength. The story mode isn't quite as deep last year due to the THQ's decision to add voices (from the real wrestlers) so that limits the freedom to branch out. I must point out the online play is WEAK! First there's lag even with high bandwith connections. Second, there are only a few modes to choose from - mainly traditional single matches and bra & panties. The exclusion of Royal Rumble, tag team and other modes (like Hell in the Cell) just baffles me. I hope THQ will rectify this in the next sequel. Still, WWE fans should pick this game up as a great companion to their weekly diet of WWE TV programming.

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Smackdown vs RAW

Strengths: New online, voices

Weakness: Less wrestlers, less to do

I don't like this game very much. I played Here Comes the Pain (previous year's version) and it was alright. It looks like Smackdown vs RAW was an attempt to improve upon the previous version, but it was a failure at best. The new online play is mediocre at best. The voices are cool, but there are less players available because of it. Also, career mode is awfully short. This game just doesn't do it for me. Perhaps next year will be better. One can only hope.

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WWE SmackDown Vs. RAW

Strengths: graphics

Weakness: roster

WWE returned to the PS2 in 2004 with Smackdown vs Raw. With the wrestlers adding their own voice to the game it adds authenticity but the major drawback of this game is the lack of strength in the roster. Goldberg, Brock Lesner and Scott Steiner are replaced by legends Andre the Giant and Bret Hart.

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Some missed potential, but a solid wrestling title...

Strengths: same great damage system as "Here Comes The Pain"; face/heel meters are balanced very well and add a new layer of strategy; online play is available

Weakness: surprising lack of options in Online mode; extremely repetitive Story Mode; erratic selling of moves; some features scaled back to make room for voiceovers

"Smackdown! vs. RAW" takes some steps forward and some steps back in the long-running Smackdown series. The face/heel meter adds a nice new dynamic. Picking a "good" or "evil" alignment and sticking to that style of play will fill the meter and reward you with a special ability. You are still free to play however you want, but you risk depleting your meter if your actions are contrary to your alignment. For example, a good guy using weapons is a no-no. That well-placed chair shot may buy some time or even turn the tide of the match, but your face meter will be penalized significantly. A heel, on the other hand, can feel free to knock out the referee and swing away. Since he is merely acting true to form and doing what bad guys do, his meter will get a huge boost. The new meter adds a lot to the game's overall strategy, causing players to weigh all their actions carefully. Of course, the option is always there to choose a "neutral" alignment and just ditch the meters altogether - so fans of "classic" Smackdown need not worry.

The basic gameplay remains mostly the same as the previous title in the series, "Here Comes The Pain." The new "chop-battle" and match-opener minigames add a little variety, though their actual impact on the course of the match seems minimal. The Royal Rumble mode sports a new "ringout" meter that greatly enhances the playability of the Rumble match, replacing those simple irish-whip eliminations with a more dramatic struggle on the apron.

One problematic area is the story mode. This is the first Smackdown game to feature voice-acting from the Superstars, so it is a welcome novelty at first. But the problem is that the story had to be far more simplistic and linear, to make the amount of recorded dialog more manageable. Story mode in previous games had much more freedom, since writing a few lines of branching text is much less hassle than recording additional dialog (not to mention the issue of disc space). So while audible dialog enhances the experience somewhat, it sacrifices the possibilities that were available before.

Then of course there is the online mode - perhaps the game's greatest strength, as well as its greatest weakness. First of all, there's no denying how great it is to finally get online play on Smackdown - the mere fact that it's in there is great. However, the actual implementation makes it clear that so much more could be done. Only one type of match is available: a standard, single, one-on-one match (well, Bra and Panties is in too, but most players will ignore it). Hardcore matches, iron-man matches, ladder matches, and anything else are nowhere to be found. What's worse is that you can't change any of the default options - so disqualifications will always be on, and the 15-minute time limit will always be in place. The online interface is extremely bare-bones; you simply pick a lobby, enter a room, then either join a waiting game or create your own. Unfortunately there are no options for any custom filters either - you'll understand why this is a problem when you encounter all the superpowered created wrestlers that are so common online. Options to limit an opponent's character selection to original superstars only, or created superstars only, or to have a cap on the overall stat level, would have been welcome. This type of "optimatch" feature is common in online games, and would have done a lot of good here!

Still, despite the missed potential, I find myself coming back to the Online mode again and again. There is an inherent thrill in ALWAYS having human opponents available to wrestle against, and I have admittedly a had a LOT of fun playing online, even with the bare-bones presentation and lack of options. But with a few simple changes, they could bring the online experience up to par and have something absolutely incredible. Let's hope that Smackdown! vs. RAW 2006 (currently in development) takes care of some of these issues.

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WWE Smackdown vs. Raw

Strengths: Graphics, good create a wrestler, updated roster, and face/heel bars.

Weakness: Online play is limited and can't defend belts in exhibition.

This game is a slight improvement over Here Comes the Pain, but is worth a look if you are a wrestling fan. The create a wrestler has been imporved and provides greater creation opportunties. I personally would like to have seen some of the legends have the original entrance they had when they wrestled.

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Disappointing

Strengths: + graphics + online play + creater a wrestler + most up to date WWE roster on PS2 + face/heel bars + WWE legend unlockables + mini-games at beginning of match + create a belt + commentary

Weakness: - lack of modes in online play - story mode has regressed - few unlockables - small roster - face/heel bars not well used - unrealistic gameplay - can't defend belts in exhibition

WWE Smackdown vs Raw is an inferior game to previous Smackdown installments. The WWE wrestler roster has been cut back dramatically, and there are no alternate attires for the wrestlers. Story mode is only one year wrong and the story is basically the same for each wrestler. Gameplay remains unchanged except for a few tweaks that affect the game little or make the game worse, like quicker recovery. Those looking to play or buy a wrestling game should instead get WWE Smackdown Here Comes the Pain.

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WWE Smackdown vs. RAW

Strengths: Voiceovers, online play

Weakness: online play, removed characters

This years installment of Smackdown is both a step up and a step down from the previous installment. Unlike last year, there is now online play so that you can play against people from around the world. There are also voiceovers for each of the different wrestlers, which provides for some unexpected delight. However, in order to bring this to you, the quality of the game has been sacrificed. Several of the wrestlers have been removed, there isn't as much freedom to do what you want in career mode, and the online play... well, let's just say it looks like it's still in the developmental stages.

It definitely looks like Smackdown is in the midst of a transitional period where they look to make major improvements on the game. Rather than forcing the issue, they should've waited another year before releasing this game. Whether you enjoy the series or not, I suggest you pass on this years version and look for a majorly improved version next year.

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smackdown vs. raw

Strengths: great graphics

Weakness: collision detection can be off at times

Smackdown vs. Raw is a wrestling game for the. Play Station 2. The Smackdown series in my opinion is the best one out of all the three game systems. I especially like the deep create to wrestler mode where you are able to recreate wrestlers from all their federations or from Japan and even legends from the past. The controls are also pretty good and the wrestling moves are relatively easy to perform. The graphics are also all of the best and the wrestlers almost exactly like their real world counterparts. I especially like creating my own legends from the past and have them fight against the famous wrestlers of today like Triple H and John Cena. the entrance music and wrestlers walk down the ramp is also very impressive and how they are able to capture the specific movements and actions of each wrestler. This game is a lot of fun and is a must have for any game library for the die-hard wrestling fan. I highly recommend getting this game.

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WWE Smackdown Vs. RAW Review

Strengths: Great Digital animation of characters

Weakness: none

My sons really enjoy the action in this wrestling game. They had wore one other wrestling game so I needed to buy another one to keep two youngs boys preoccupied.

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Fun wrestling title

Strengths: creat a wrestler

Weakness: crappy online play

This is the 1st wrestling title to include online play and the voices of the wrestlers. Both are lacking but are apperciated. The gameplay is firmly the same as the previous Smackdown's. The create a wrestler is great. Overall it isn't much different than the other smackdowns, but if you like wrestling games get it.

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WWE Smackdown vs. Raw

Strengths: Online play, Create a Championship

Weakness: Some lag while playing online, no voice chat

An update to Here Comes the Pain, Smackdown vs Raw is the next PS2 exclusive wrestling game taht is just as great as its predecessor. The game features online play, but does not support the use of a headset. Only chat is allow in the lobby area via keyboard. An all-new challenge mode makes you go head to head with some of the greatest Legends of all time and there is now exclusive Superstar Voice over and Commentary. You couldnt reallya sk for anything else in a wrestling game, except for some better online play. The lag distrupts the fun most of the time, but otherwise, this is another solid wrestling game from THQ to add to your collection.

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WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw

WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw receives an overall TopTenREVIEWS rating of 3.29 out of 4.00. It is ranked the #1,308 game of all time, #51 game of 2004 for the PlayStation 2 and #269 PlayStation 2 game of all time. The rating and ranking is based on an average of 77 critic scores, awards and other criteria. To see a breakdown of the game ranking, read individual critic reviews, or see how other games...

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WWE Smackdown vs. Raw

Good wrestling game which builds on its predecessors achievements, but is not a groundbreaker

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WWE Smackdown vs Raw

As I’ve made mention in my other reviews of continuing videogame series, especially those of athletic nature, it is amazing how far these games have come from their humble beginnings. I remember the very first WWF title (it was WWF not WWE back then) on the NES, Wrestlemania. I don’t remember it so much because it was a particularly memorable game, but because my parents had purchased it for...

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