WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 [PS2]

The online multiplayer is greatly improved since past games in certain regards, and there are others that still keep it in the stone age. Players can trade created superstars online, which is a great move forward for the series. For players just looking to keep a roster current, however, they'll have to possibly beg for a Jeff Hardy if they're empty handed. A marketplace for players to post a created character might've been a better alternative, although the ability to trade is a step in the right direction, if not one that's been sorely needed for years. It's got some fairly robust modes, as well, with plenty of multiplayer options, although it seemed easiest to find people doing Tornado Tag TLC matches than anything else. The game has certainly come a long way from two years ago, when it was only one-on-one and bra and panties matches. Also, the matchmaking options are quite good. For years, it's been a major frustration for anyone getting online to face an overly stacked created wrestler who then clobbers them thanks to damn near invincible stats. Having the ability to turn off created superstars and ring entrances means that players can just get down to business.

On the negative side, however, the game is still plagued with lag. For a series that's still so dependent on twitchy gameplay, it's still really damn frustrating to play online. It's not as bad over Xbox Live, although we encountered some terrible stuttering during a game against some British players, but on PS2, it's got worse issues. Granted, it's not as bad as the last two Smackdown vs. Raw games, in which games just plain dropped, but the series as a whole still pales behind other genres of sports games in its online play. Laggy online service can make the difference between parrying a finisher and getting pinned on the three count. If the Smackdown games ever evolve to the point at which they can live up to their claim of evolving into the definitive wrestling series, it's going to take an overhaul of the online service. Hopefully, as the game evolves into next-gen, these sorts of issues won't be a problem anymore.

So, in conclusion, WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 is a solid update to the franchise. It doesn't rise leaps and bounds above its PS2 predecessor, but it adds enough in the way of new controls to keep the gameplay fun. Even if it's not as arcade-centric as the older versions, it's user friendly enough for people who hate wrestling games to want to pick up and play. I'd recommend it even more emphatically were the online multiplayer better, although the 360 version fares better than the PS2 game. Still, for what is essentially a next-gen game, it definitely has the stumbles of a first time endeavor for Yukes'. In a genre that can finally maximize the potential of digital distribution of video, music, and character files, it would be nice to see SvR have some downloadable content over Xbox Live Marketplace. The PS2 version, for what it is --a port of a next-gen title, instead of the vice versa that we saw at 360 launch-- is phenomenal, in regard to gameplay and graphics, unless you're playing it on a PS3, where the 480p upscaling does not make it look so hot on an HDTV. All things considered, Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 is a great title, even if it's a stepping stone to what will hopefully be a phenomenal update in the future on next-gen consoles.

©2006, IGN Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved