WCW/NWO Revenge

"Sweaty men faking daring positions with equally sweaty opponents... with style"

Like my last review, which was of "Rainbow Six" (I hope every one enjoyed the review !) This is another mix between "First impressions", and "Complete". Again I have had the game not enough for a "complete", but for more than just a "First Impression".

Anyway, on with the review.

As everyone probably knows, wrestling games are far and few between, there isn't much to choose from out there. That said, I would say that "Revenge" is one of the best. My favourite wrestling game is actually one that was on Gameboy YONKS ago. I can't remember the name, nor can I forget that experience. It was SOOOO much fun to play it was even more addictive than sex. Probably.

On Nintendo's power machine, as opposed to the hand held wonder, now in colour too, "Revenge" is definetely the best beat 'em up there is for the moment. I heard that "Nitro 64", a sort of sequel to "Revenge" is coming out, so therefore "at the moment" is applicable. I will do a rating of each, topic style, that way it's easier.

First up:

GRAPHICS: Ok, in the graphics department, "Revenge" wins against most other wrestlers pretty cleanly. I say "most" because there may be a better one out I am not aware of. The bodies look clean, the faces are well textured, although some wrestlers pull some very amusing facial expressions, which I am sure are not entirely appropriate for the situation (In a mode called Roal Battle, check the faces when the other wrestlers run in !)The ring itself is well done, with some light shading, shadows of course, the ropes bounce and flex well, it gives a good sense of "3-Dimensionalness". All the many moves look spot on, although in the realism part, some strange things, such as tiny guys giving huge guys a shoulder lift and holding them there, a feat which is nigh impossible in real life, I should think. When grappling and certain moves (also smalls, against bigs)have some strange clipping effect when it's done with mysterious dissapearences of the arm's, or legs through the other persons body, a skill, which, although I have seen wrestling no one has attained yet.... to my knowledge....

All in all, the graphics are exactly what wrestling games fans would love. Even non-wrestling fans will love 'em.

SOUND: This is the dissapointing part, so its gonna be small. In short the sounds are best turned off, especially the music. Play some romper stomper music if you must have music to wrestle with. The music is about little better than NES level IMHO. The sounds are okayish, sometimes the crowds yell out intelligable things, I have heard "Sting rules !" more than once.... I am sure.. The attack sounds are relatively suitable for the action. There could have been more emphasis on when an opponent gets slammed........ hard.....

But then again, games are not ALL about sounds right ? Especially wrestling games.....

GAMEPLAY: This is where it really counts. If the game is all ritzy, but with a gameplay little more than drooling at graphics to get the game to keep going, then its not worth it. Fortunately WCW/nWo Revenge rates as one of the most playable games in the fighting category. There are HEAPS of moves to see, they are all pretty much done the same way, but that just simplifies the whole process doesnt it ? I mean, who wants to try pulling off two half circles, A B, C left, triple mortal kombat, followed by a bit of a hadoken, with a touch of Killer instinct ULTRA Combo thrown in just to do a backslam in the middle of a heated 4 player slugfest ? You dont have time to do this sort of thing in this sort of game. You want it to be easy. And "Revenge"'s control system is one of the easiest ones you will ever come across. Every button does something as well, which may prove a tiny bit strenuous for those not inducted to the N64 pad yet. As a forementioned, heated 4 player slugfests, can only mean one thing. MULTIPLAYER ! Yes ! This game supports 4 players simultaneously for possibly the BEST multiplayer fun you have ever had, besides the "kisses in the dark" game you played as a kid. This is the key gameplay factor in this game which will also be given due credit in the REPLAYABILITY section. Ummm... I cant think of anything more, that is specific, (And also isnt a spoiler !)but overall, a Terrific single player and incredible Multiplayer experience for fan, and non, alike.

REPLAYABILITY: As mentioned in the GAMEPLAY section, the multiplayer aspect of this game is the key motivation for replayability factor. I personally found this game rather easy, on Easy it was a walk in the park, on medium, it was a walk on the street, and on hard, it was a walk on the street, with a bit of a rush hour thrown in. Thats not to say on Hard it was HARD, but at least the other guy actually got a hit on you. But the motivation for replayability in single, was not the effort it takes to win, but more that you can master a specific player, check out all his moves on the hapless opponent. Have a look at players "Special" move without a crowded screen, and without fear of retaliation.

Multiplayer still is king of the hill though, for the replayability factor, I recommend only getting this game if you have at one friend to play with. Although feel free to ignore my advice and have a blast on single player.

STORY: Any one doesnt know what this game is about ? tsk tsk.

Well, for all those who have never seen the phenomenon that is 2-4 guys in tight lycra suits, which have more fat than muscle, taking each other on performing fake, and rather "risque" positions on each other, in a vain attempt not to make it look rigged, then I will explain.

WCW (World Championship Wrestling) and the nWo (new World order)are 2 wrestling factions who are in competition with each other to basically see which can make the most money out of fake wrestling. Each of these factions include a number of deities, who try to prove their the toughest by pretending to beat the tar out of the other. I think that about all you need to know, Fighting games in general arent too big on storylines.

BUY OR RENT ?: OK, this is a toughie. It really depends. What I would suggest is to do the safe way "Try before you buy." Now, I can also recommend, (because I like the game) that you go out and buy it right away, but I dont want to be a target of hatred for fueling the need to buy this, and then finding out it makes a better drink coaster. So go on, shell out the money (5 bucks ? 10 bucks ?)to rent it. Make sure you got some friends coming over, and rent an extra control pad too (or 2....) If ya likes it, well, then ya's goes an' buys it. If ya's thinks it's worse than..... whatever, then ya's dont buys it, and ya's 'ave lost yerself minimal cash.

Try to get it as a "weekly" too, overnight isnt enough to really "dig deep" I should think.

To wrap things up, my score says it all really. A bit more than a bit above very good. The reason I didn't give it higher, is due to something I actually forgot to mention before (oopsie's...) if you have "World Tour" (the prequel) then I dont recommend buying this. It hasnt got enought new things to justify it as a new game. On the other hand, if you dont have it, enjoy it, when you buy or rent it. I have played "World Tour" and think that this game is a lot better, but yes... I didnt think it was THAT much better....

Thats all for now, enjoy this review (again) and Happy New Year to everyone ! I will probably be writing more reviews in the future, so if you like my reviews, look around for 'em.

Later !

Spider.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 11/01/99