WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role

"Better than its Predecessor"

After playing Smackdown, which was the first in the series, I could not wait for this game. I heard this sequel would have many more improvements over the original, and it was 100% true.

Game play: 9
The game play in this game is arcade like, but in my opinion that just makes it a little more exciting. Don’t get me wrong, I like wrestling simulations but it is just not as fun as fast paced action. Sometimes though, the frame rates drop significantly, take the Tornado Tag Team Table Match; there is just too many things on the screen at once which cause the frame rate to drop, which slows it down considerably. There are many more match types and stipulations compared to the first Smackdown, including; TLC, Hell in a Cell, Ladder, Iron Man, Casket, and Slobber Knocker matches.

The create-a-wrestler option has been vastly improved, now you do not have to select pre-made body parts for your wrestler, you have the ability to practically create any wrestler you want from head to toe. You are also able to give to your created wrestler; personality traits, crowd signs, managers, and your vary own create taunt. This makes this game much more replay able.

Create a stable is great, the name says it all. You basically have the ability to create a stable of up to 4 men, choose the stables name, and determine their entrance taunts and Titan Tron movies. With your newly made stable you have the capability of entering them in season mode and causing havoc with other superstars.

Season mode has lost its appeal to me; the loading times are just unbearable. To make things worse, there are eight matches per card, and most of the time there is a cut-scene right after each one. Don’t think there are new storylines each card, there isn’t; usually you go through the same cut-scenes various times, and they’re not that entertaining.

Graphics: 9
The graphics are amazing in this game, especially since this is a PSX game. Though they are not much of an improvement over the first Smackdown, it is still well done. Although, they do seem a bit pixilated, they still look great. Some of the wrestlers look almost like there real life counter parts, and some look dead off. That just shows how much time they put on each wrestler, and how much time they did not. Some of the animations look really awful, but others look great. Another gripe I had was that there was bad clipping in which one wrestler would try to accomplish a maneuver and it ended with the wrestler having his arm go through his opponent’s body. Other than that, the graphics are great even for a PSX game.

Sound: 8
Once in a long while, you get to hear the voices of some of the superstars, from people like; The Rock, Stone Cold, and Chris Jericho. They sound like crap though, they just seem like they have no feeling when they say their catch phrases. Other than that, the sound is great, I love hearing the slap of a Singapore cane against someone’s back, and it sounds awesome.

Controls: 10
Just like the previous Smackdown, the controls are not too hard to learn. Most of the move executions consist of pressing two buttons like up and circle on the D-pad. It is so easy, even grandma can play and lay the Smackdown. That is why this category received a perfect score.

Replay ability: 10
The amount of replay ability in this game is outstanding; you can play in a never ending season mode, create a pay per view, create a stable, create a wrestler, create a taunt, or just open up a can of whoop ass in exhibition. This is by far, the game with most replay ability I have ever played, and for that I give this section a perfect score.

Overall
Smackdown 2: Know Your Role is a must buy for any PlayStation owner or wrestling fan, and now that it’s a greatest hits game you can buy for 20 dollars or less. Go out and buy it now you jabroni!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/24/02, Updated 11/24/02