WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It

"Just Buy It? Just Rent It? Or Just Ignore It?"

First...a look back at the other Smackdown games...

WWF Smackdown --

A mindless, button-mashing arcade-style brawler. I never saw what anyone liked about this game after I rented, and hated, it.

An alright career mode, lots of modes, but that's all I liked. The career mode was alright, but the wrestler creation mode was horrible. And...get this--the ''hidden characters'' aren't pre-made. You have to beat a year or so of career mode to get some of these parts...and who for?
Viscera...Mideon...Stevie Richards (Who doesn't even have his friggin' superkick available).

WWF Smackdown 2: Know Your Role --

Better overall game, seemed to be more of a wrestling game...still mindless brawler, but fun. Created A Wrestling mode MUCH improved...but...

The loading times make it nearly unplayable. It loads for EVERYTHING! Even with ''Fast Loading'' turned on on a PS2, it is still unbearable.

And now...

WWF Smackdown: Just Bring It!

Graphics

The game wasn't exactly in vast need of a graphic overhaul, but that's what it got. The character models are smooth and realistic (although it seems like The Rock gets whiter in every game), and animation is much smoother. The HUGE and VARIED backstage enviroments look great...however, the fact that the motorcycles in entrances and the car/forklift in the parking garage don't have moving wheels is really annoying, though.

Graphics Score: 8/10

Gameplay

I'll be damned...it's a WRESTLING game, now. A few minor tweaks and changes made this game more balanced, more fun, and it feels like a real WRESTLING game. Reversals are easy and fun, and most of the matches you can see in this game are more entertaining than watching the real thing. Nearly every move you could possibly want is included...unless you're a fan of Nova or some of the more obscure Japanese wrestlers.

And the backstage areas play a huge part in the game...there are so many locations, so much to do...you and a human opponent will likely stop your match just to screw around and see all that you can do. Piledrive an opponent on a car, whip someone into the fire extinguisher on the wall and it falls out! Do top rope moves off the Shopzone stand! Invade the APA office and brawl in the office of Vince McMahon while your match plays live! Fight in the crowds! Brawl in the streets! Even pay WWF New York a visit...

Gameplay Score: 7/10

Story

You're kidding, right? Well, we'll go for this category anyway...you pick a wrestler--you beat the hell out of other wrestlers. The Story Mode in the game is VERY short, sadly--but better than the lengthy, boring oddyseys in the first and second games. Thank God!

Oh...but the cut scenes are unskippable, and the text can be read about 10 times before it moves to the next line--and all the wrestlers sound like complete idiots. Ah well...

Story Score: 4/10

Sound

Nothing but the crunches, slams, snaps, and other assorted hits about a wrestling game really matters. Those are just fine, but many moves don't sound as SICK as they really should.

However, some background music is included anyway...various forgettable pieces that drone on in the background. Doesn't really help or hurt the score.

However...the commentary is the...WORST...in any...WORLD WRESTLING FEDERATION.............................video game.........EVER!

That will give you a rough idea of how bad the in-game commentary is. The demo that plays before the menus also has similar gems. Yes...Michael Cole and Tazz are WORSE in this game than their commentary in real life!! WWF Wrestlemania The Arcade Game on Genesis had better commentary--HOW did this turn out like this?!??!? Spare yourself grevious pain and suffering and TURN THIS OFF BEFORE YOU START THE GAME!!

And if the commentary wasn't bad enough--Undertaker has Limp Bizkit's ''Rollin''' as a theme.

Sound Score: -10/10

Replayability

The Create A Wrestler mode makes this game massively fun, and multi-player makes it worth playing for hours on end. The modes of play are extremely extensive. You can play Singles, Tag, Tornado Tag, Hardcore, Falls Count Anywhere, Special Referee, Ladder Match, Hell in a Cell, Street Fight, Special Referee, I Quit, Royal Rumble, etc. etc. and many combinations of the above. Hidden stuff is available to unlock, and enough to keep you going until way past the next WWF game is out.

Score: 10/10

Final Verdict: 7/10

If you didn't like the other games in the series- Just Rent It! You may be quite surprised with this update...just as I, someone who didn't give a damn about the others, did.

If you loved the other Smackdown games- Just Buy It! It is a little more complicated and smoother playing than the others--but that just makes it better, right?

If you live and die by the Fire Pro/AKI games- Just Ignore It! Or at least give it a chance by convincing a friend to let you try it. I love the AKI games myself, and while I feel they are superior to the Smackdown games, they also haven't seen a version with this many gameplay improvements since WCW vs. the World's sequel, WCW vs. nWo/VPW64.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 12/29/01, Updated 12/29/01