WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw

"Smackdown Vs. Raw: A Rent Or a Buy?"

Introduction:

A question that comes up very often is "Should I buy SvR, or just rent it?" Well read my review, and judge that for yourself. As for my opinion? I'll tell you at the end. For now, let's tackle the factors of the game:

Online Mode
5/10

To me, this is one of two of the only true gripes I have with this game. The Online Mode. Only two modes are allowed for you: Singles and Bra & Panties. Now before you say "A 5/10? That's too high", hear me out. Even though the lack of modes is very disappointing, at least it was put in the game in the first place. I for one find it neat that I can now challenge people from other parts of the world, even if we can only do a singles match. I've wanted Online Mode for a long time, and even though this is all we get, it's still something. That's my 2 cents on Online Mode.

Graphics
10/10

I have seen very few games with graphics as realistic as this. From the muscle realism to the realism of the wrestler's faces, this games graphics are superb. A huge upgrade from last year.

Gameplay
10/10

Even though the gameplay is similar to HCTP, it has so many more in-match features that make it that much better. From chop battles to stare-downs, this game is flat-out impressive in the gameplay department. The weapons have been tweaked so that steel steps are now heavier and take longer to lift up than a belt, which adds to the realism factor. Seeing as Triple H is my favorite wrestler, I love how when I hit someone with a sledgehammer, it looks just like how he does it in real life. Not to mention the new weapon connections with the ladder, steel steps, title belt, and several others.

Create a Belt
10/10

With only four titles in the game, this feature was a must-have for many people out there. This feature allows you to do just what it says: Create a Belt. With the Cruiserweight Title nowhere to be found in this game, you can now create it in this mode, and compete for it in the Create a PPV mode. Fan of WCW and ECW? You can now create every title from those federations. From the WCW Title, to the Hardcore Title, you can create 'em all.

Create a PPV
10/10

The Create a Belt and Create a PPV modes go hand-in-hand, really. After creating a MIA or thought-up belt, you can compete for it in this mode. With a selection of 3-8 matches, this mode is quite impressive. Requiring 2 memory cards, you can compete with your opponents belts as well. The winner of the match will then take the opponents created title, and it will be loaded onto the winners memory card. Once you win it, you can do whatever you want with it as well.

Sound
9/10

The sound in this game is very impressive, to say the least. The ring announcers have returned, which is a great thing in my book. In addition, so has ring-side commentating: another great re-addition. Except now, the comentators aren't nearly as repetitive as they were before, and do a pretty good job of NOT saying the same thing. The voice overs in Story Mode is a great touch, and to be honest I don't see as many flaws in the voice over department as others do. The voice overs aren't always dead-on, but were they really expected to be? Every single line? I didn't expect it to be. The entrance themes in the game are perfect in my opinion.

AI
9/10

This time around AI is much smarter than before. They're no Albert Einstein, but they're no Elmer Fudd either. Yes, the computer can be often repetitive, but can also often seem as if they know what their doing. The Ai's are pretty interesting to go up against in Season Mode, and otherwise, if set to an average level, are pretty good as well.

Season Mode
9/10

Because of all of the other improvements in the game, the Season Mode was not as improved as it wanted to be. However, SvR still has the best Season Mode of all the past Smackdown! games. I'm currently playing as Triple H, and I have seen very few, if any, old storylines from the past game. Every August, you are indeed put in an Elimination Chamber match, but I actually love having an Elimination every Season. But that's just me. The voice overs are flawed, but not as much as people say it is. I think that they are very true to life, and put a LOT of realism in the game.

Replay Value
10/10

I can honestly tell you that I won't be bored of this game for a LONG time. With every mode returning to SvR, plus several new ones, like the Parking Lot Brawl, I can tell you that you will be having fun with this game for ages. Let it be Multiplayer of just Single player, a lot of options are offered for both ways.

Final Thought:

All in all, I think that Smackdown Vs Raw is by far the best Smackdown! of it's series, and one of the best wrestling games to date. My only two major gripes with this game are the Online Mode, and the roster. I'm not as disappointed in the Online Mode as I am in the roster though. With people like Billy Gunn and La Resistance MIA, I'm quite upset with the roster, but since my friends are CAW masters, I'll manage. And you should too.

Even though people are indeed missing, many people have been included, such as Garrison Cade and Chuck Palumbo. Also, many new moves have been included, some replacing the old and horribly animated. Fans that don't have the game will be happy to know Shelton Benjamin has his Stinger Splash and T-Bone Suplex, and Chuck Palumbo has his Palumbo Drop (Rib Breaker position into a Samoan Drop).

This brings me back to the questions asked earlier: Should you buy or rent the game. My answer: Buy. Definitely. If you're a WWE wrestling fan, at all, this game is a must-have. The second it came out, I bought it, and I must say I'm FAR from disappointed. I hope this review helped you, and until next time folks, I'm out!

---Electrorulz---

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/05/04