Legends of Wrestling

"Legends of Wrestling (Unbiased review)"

Before you begin reading the actual review, I want to explain that I will not be directly comparing this to Smackdown! Just Bring It. I feel it would be completely idiotic to do so, since they are supposed to be two different sets of games. SD!JBI is based on today's flashy over the top soap opera called ''Sports Entertainment'', whereas Legends of Wrestling is based on the yesteryears when there was nothing really flashy about it. Just straight forward wrestling with larger than life gimmicks. Let's get started shall we?

GRAPHICS: 7/10

The graphics in Legends of Wrestling aren't flashy, or necessary top notch. But they do take an interesting turn with LOW. The graphics in my opinion are overlookable if you are an old school wrestling fan. ''What does that have to do with anything?'' you may ask. You see if you are an old school wrestling fan then most likely you've once or twice looked upon these guys as titans, and giants among men. Well, I happen think that was the goal behind Acclaim's new look. It's not great, but it's commendable.

CONTROL: 9/10

The control in this game is by far one of the best I've ever seen. It ranks up there with THQ/AKI's control style, and the Fire ProWrestling series. The control in LOW are the type that I had always wanted a wrestling game to have, and it does. Now this is what I feel about it, so it won't be your exact same thought probably. Sadly wrestlers don't use as many moves as they should be aloud to use. The controls are great, and I have no problems with it. But I have heard others say it was sluggish, and unresponsive at times. But I haven't had that problem. So take that for what it's worth.

SOUND: 8/10

The sound is pretty nice considering not much is needed, as Smackdown! Just Bring It proved commentating to be even more useless in wrestling games then I had ever even thought possible. The hits, the groans, the ref, the mat, to the point are all good. They sound believable. As many mentioned before their themes are not their original themes, but they did a nice job with replacements. Rob Van Dam had his same theme from ECW Anarchy Rulez, and Hardcore Revolution. Which is actually pretty cool. All in all the sound is good.

GAMEPLAY: 8/10

The gameplay can feel too slow at times, which can be a bad thing. I like it for the most part but sometimes it can get on your nerves. The ''Combo'' system is very good, and seems pretty revolutionary. Sadly they don't actually have too many combos, since all it does is either pin or go into ground moves. The ''Matrix'' camera trick, as I like to call it, really make moves look better when it happens at certain moments. The game itself actually plays like ECW, since I believe this was suppose to be the next ECW game originally. No count outs, and no DQs. Which I like.

REPLAY VALUE: 10/10

If you are a big wrestling fan, especially of the slower paced type. Then this game should have infinite replay value to you, especially with the little career mode they put in there. No big stories, but it gets addicting trying to win the crowd over.

OVERALL: 9/10

The graphics are the only problem with the game in my opinion, except for not having an old school style cage match in it. I loved the game, and enjoy it a lot. I've been playing this game a lot since I got it, and probably slightly more than SD!JBI. Sadly the Create-a-Wrestler/Legend in this game is pathetic, but after enough time you'll get to learn to deal with it. Not too much wrong with this game in my opinion, but it's my opinion and I wouldn't expect people to immediately share it. Try it out, and form an opinion of your own. I feel it's a must buy for pure wrestling fans.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/02/02, Updated 01/02/02