WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2007
Apr 12, 2006
Think of THQ's WWE games as legendary Superstar Hulk Hogan. SmackDown vs. Raw 2006 was the time in a Hogan match where he points at the villain and waves his finger at him -- in a defiant sign that he's not to be messed with. That makes SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 the equivalent of the part where Hulkster goes on the offensive, throwing punches and clotheslines until the inevitable big boot/legdrop combo for the win.
Last year's PS2 game took the wrestling genre to new levels; and like Shelton Benjamin's theme song says, "Ain't no stoppin' me now!" This year, we have a slew of enhancements to look forward to, a new control scheme, and next-gen graphics. The first news item is that the game is coming out on several platforms. It looks like the days of console-specific WWE titles may be over with. Not only will SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 be headed to PS2, but also Xbox (which has yet to get a decent wrestling game), and next-gen platforms Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Whatever system you'll be rocking come next fall, you can rest easy knowing you'll be able to tap your opponent out in the coolest game possible.
SmackDown vs. Raw 2007's mantra is, "Don't just watch it, live it." You control what you do, when, and how. The game accomplishes this, first and foremost, by switching most move controls to the right analog stick. With this shift, gameplay should be both deeper and more user-friendly.
For example, let's say you're Chris Masters against Rob Van Dam. Hold up on the stick to lift Van Dam for a vertical suplex. Keep the stick held up to let RVD hang upside down while you move to the middle of the ring to set up a pin attempt. Even throw in a taunt to get the crowd really ticked off before you let go to drop him. Raw 2007 will also embrace quick and strong attacks, which are a throwback to N64's WWF No Mercy -- perhaps the greatest wrestling game of them all.
This game is getting a lot more hardcore. Arenas are filled with hotspots where you can execute special environmental interactions. Toss your foe into the ringpost, or throw them into a speaker near the entry ramp. Here too you have lots of control over what you do, like how far back you pull their head before smashing it into something. You can even fling your opponent over the barricade into the crowd or leap off balconies!
All of the last game's features are being enhanced. Season mode has a complex, branching story that promises to make the experience different for every player. This is huge, as the writing in 2006 rivaled that of the actual WWE programming. Where last year's game had voiceovers recorded for around 20 Superstars for Season mode, developers tell us around 90 percent of the active roster has contributed lines for this year's Season.
GM Mode -- a new feature that allowed players to be a general manager to one brand -- is coming back with more options and a slicker presentation. As for online, there are around 50 match types you can play and it will support voice chat. Create-a-wrestler will have a host of new parts to craft your ultimate superman (or woman), and the roster has been updated and will feature new Legends.
As the series is headed next-gen, we've got to talk about the graphical improvements. THQ showed a real-time match on Xbox 360 between new SmackDown champ Rey Mysterio and RAW's big dog, John Cena. Both characters looked unbelievably realistic, and were made up of upwards of 20,000 polygons. Rey's mask and pants shined under the arena lights, and all of his tattoos were crystal clear. Cena's muscular frame was an intimidating sight, with even the veins being visible. It's one thing to see fictional characters square off, like those in DOA 4; but when it's real people you've seen on film countless times, it's even more impressive.
Facial expressions have been done up to an amazing degree, showing emotions ranging from fear to shock to pain. As the match progressed and these two beat the ever-loving heck out of each other, sweat started to drip all over their bodies. The crowd is fully 3D and looks incredible -- even interacting with the wrestlers as they were chucked into the seats. Even with normal- and bump-mapping in full effect, THQ boasted that the game was running at a smooth 60 frames per second.
WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2006 was easily the best wrestling game in the last five years. For the 2007 installment, the scouting report couldn't be more positive: Next-gen graphics, a revamped control system, and more hardcore gameplay should pop the wrestling-game crowd like never before.