WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2009

WWE Smackdown Vs Raw 2009 is hit and miss with a lot of its new features, and on the whole, will probably fail to impress those who already own last year’s game.

The main problem with the WWE’s latest installment in the Smackdown series its lack of significant changes since its predecessor, so even wrestling fans might feel a little short changed with this one.

The main theme of the game is tag team wrestling, which is kind of strange because that’s one of the main areas that is pretty underplayed in the actual show. So tag matches have been completely revamped, and now feature the ‘hot tag’ system – where after getting a severe beating for a portion of the match a wrestler is able to seize one last burst of energy to make it across the ring to his partner for the ‘hot tag’. This will show the partner whooping ass and can even turn the tide of a match in seconds. Overall, it actually works really well and is a great incentive to play tag team wrestling more often.

Another of the main updates to the game is the Road to Wrestlemania mode, which sees a specific wrestler’s path to the show’s main event at Wrestlemania. This takes a pretty linear structure, with only a few moments where you can decide the choices your wrestler will take. There are six different Road to Wrestlemania’s, and these are designed for a specific wrestler, so you aren’t given a choice as to whom you will pick. There are some pretty interesting story angles in here; some you could definitely imagine actually happening on the real show (for example, on Triple H’s path he is forced to choose between reforming D-Generation X, or the rather less popular Evolution, and it is up to you to decide) and some less realistic and even more ludicrous than anything which the WWE would care to venture (Undertake

r turns Santino into a zombie, anyone?) The majority of cut scenes between fights are actually quite enjoyable, and are voiced by the actual wrestlers themselves, but the only problem is they don’t sound like they’re speaking to an arena full of fans, instead they feel like they’re reading from a script in a small recording room. It’s a shame, because the majority of this feature is pretty much where the fun is to be had in this game.

Outside the Road to Wrestlemania is where the game begins to show its similarities to last year’s edition. Presentation-wise the game looks the exact same, so anyone expecting a graphics update will be bitterly disappointed.

The same can also be said for its general gameplay, so anyone familiar with 2008 will instantly be able to pick up and play this game, and probably be pretty good at it too. However, one change which was quickly noted is the seemingly randomness of match endings, with regards to damage. In last year’s game you pretty much knew when your guy was going to get the three count, and this was usually always as

a result of performing your finisher. However, this year’s edition can at times be pretty erratic, to say the least. In most matches you will have to perform your finisher at least three times before you will get the three count, and this is wildly unlike the actual show. On the hardest difficulty this was especially noticeable, however sometimes the computer will beat you without having done a finisher at all! To my sheer frustration in one match I had put my opponent through seven finishers, and still couldn’t pin him, and after he reversed one of my pins into a pin of his own he was able to beat me. This might be the WWE’s way of trying to replicate the feeling of not knowing who’s going to win, but in terms of gameplay, is just plain irritating.

The games attempt at a ‘career’ mode for people who don’t want to play as CM Punk in the RtW, is pretty lame, as it really just consists of a ladder structure which you proceed to climb with your chosen wrestler, and once you have beaten enough people you can challenge for a title, win it and then move onto another belt ladder. It’s really just a mode for unlocking stuff, but isn’t much fun.

In terms of roster it's pretty much what you would expect, with new appearances from characters like The Boogie Man, Cody Rhodes and Kofi Kingston. Although as with any yearly release is almost out-of date already with inclusions such as Big Daddy V (who was released last year from the company) among others. However, the game doesn’t feature any Legends as these will be kept for future release Legends of Wrestlemania, so anyone wanting to play as Stone Cold, The Rock or Hulk Hogan will have to make them in the Create A Wrestler feature, or wait till LOW comes out.

Speaking of which, the Create A Wrestler tool is the exact same and doesn’t seem to have developed much over the years, aside from a couple new hairstyles to choose from.

The new Create a Finisher feature sounds good on paper, and is ultimately not that exciting. Most of the finishers you can put together are similar to ones already in the game, and really don’t have a lot of scope for imagination. Although the new Create a Highlight Reel has some potential, provided you put the time in to actually using it. You can save pieces during any match and record the best bits and then use them in the game’s editor suite, which is truth be told, quite functional and relatively easy to use.

Other minor improvements such as the commentary and quicker loading times are also pretty neat, but don’t take away from the general feeling that this game is lacking in something.

WWE Smackdown 2009 is probably worth a look if you haven’t owned a Smackdown game and are curious to see what the fuss is all about, or for those who are just wrestling obsessed and will pay for it regardless of its flaws (chances are these people will already own the game). But for those who purchased last year’s edition and were hoping for a completely new experience, prepare to be disappointed, as this is not that game.

Hey, maybe 2010 will get it right.