WWE Day of Reckoning 2

"Cold_Riot's Tale of DOR2 Terror"

SVR <-------------> Smackdown! Vs. Raw
DOR <-------------> Day of Reckoning
WM19 <-------------> Wrestlemania XIX or 19

If you didn't know any of these to begin with, press the back button on your browser window and look for a better game.

Long have I been a WWE fan (Screw the Word Wildlife Foundation) and long have I enjoyed almost any game not on the GBA. I'll be honest and say I've always leaned towards the SVR series, but I have played the Wrestlemania and now DOR series. I liked WM19 and DOR. However, comparing DOR2 to SVR, DOR, or WM19 is like pitting Chris Benoit against Orlando Jordan. While everyone enjoys a classic, no one enjoys a never-was.

I went to my local EB games to pick up this game before I headed off to college in hopes of having a reliable and re-playable game that my friends and I can enjoy mutually. I was wrong. I could have bought a Hungry-Hungry Hippos game set and had more fun. Once my room was in order, I plugged in my cube and waited patiently to begin creating my character. However, as three hours had passed, I realized I didn't even have my character fine-tuned. Frustrated with the game already, I angrily gave up.

However, I have completed the game and by doing so, popped at least three blood vessels and had countless urges to burn the game. I lived though, which is the important thing. However, as the gamer, will you survive the "debatably lame" experience that is Day of Reckoning 2.

Graphics - 7/10
The best part of this entire game is the graphics, which isn't saying much. The facial expressions are great and character models are smooth and refined. However, like the few others who can see through their own bias points of view, I noticed some frame rate pauses and slowdowns. This became increasingly annoying once I reached matches with more than one opponent. However, CAW is still clean, with the exception of the loading times, which completely turned off any excitement I had.

Audio - 3/10
The track list in the game is outdated. One of the most vital keys to the wrestling gaming experience is the ability to hear and use all your favorite superstars' music. Unfortunately, several characters have outdated themes. This, however, is not the reason audio got a three; after all, only around 4 superstars have old music. The reason audio is so horrible, is the lack of quality and voiceovers. After SVR, I guess my dumb self assumed that the WWE would catch on to this as a favored feature, but no. Some of the original music was painful to hear because it was so horrible and repetitive.

Control - 3/10
The controls for some reason, feel unresponsive and lame. I switched between three different types of controllers to test the variability, if any, they had. My CAW is nearing 95 and he still can't reverse consistently against minor threats like Mysterio and Eddie. Don't give me any of this "Well, yur just a n00b, lolz1!!" crap. I've been playing since I got it and on increasing difficulties, so I've got a good grasp on the game. Like I said, maybe it's just me, but the controls feel uncomfortable.

Story - 2/10
The story was too simple and I had it figured out so quickly that it pissed me off. Cheesy as they may be, there's no way actual writers scripted this. I could write better than this blind and intoxicated. It's unfortunate how much script there is as well. Without voice acting, it becomes a chore just to keep up with the story.

Gameplay - 4/10
I figured CAW would fit under here, which is the main reason that this category is low as well. CAW is still in-depth and powerful, but the dreadful loading times and smaller library of things to wear and customize, it felt as outdated as Batista's theme song. The most frustrating part of DOR2 was the matches with multiple opponents. Everyone is getting hit all the time and the frame rate trips over it's own feet and dies. Aside from the horribly annoying "hit everything within 10 feet when I do a move" mechanic, game play in terms of grappling is fairly smooth, but not good enough.

Replay - 5/10
It's a wrestling game, thus there is a fair amount of replay value. CAW will keep you hooked for hours (only because of the loading times) and if you have a few friends to play this with, it can be pretty fun. For a fair amount of time. Only hardcore fans are going to get everything out of this game.

The End of the Road
Overall, this game felt unfinished in several parts and I began to question my purchasing the game. I could have bought SVR and DOR for the same price and have money left over to buy lunch. This game just doesn't cover as many bases or round them as well as other games have done before it. It was a waste of my time and a slack job on the developer's part. Casual fans of the shows and games should avoid this title as it is truly for those who cherish everything from the GBA WWE games to John Cena's pathetic career.

Rent it. Like it? Buy it! (I cannot be held responsible for the loss of $5 on the behalf of those who return the game in an angry rage)

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 09/21/05