"This game lacks."

Well, I'll start by saying that when I woke up Christmas morning to find a Wii under the tree along with this game, WWE Smackdown! vs. RAW 2008 (featuring ECW), I was very excited. I was let down a little, though, after beating the game in a few nights of play. Granted I didn't unlock everything, I had gone through the modes and done everything I could've game play wise. Anyway, here is a review about my thoughts on the game, as to why it was such a letdown.

Graphics:
First we'll start off with the graphics. The graphics are quite realistic; the detail to each wrestler is precise. I will admit, I was expecting a bit more from the graphics from advertisements I've seen on TV, but I can't complain with what they gave for the Wii version. Moves are nicely executed; in the past I've seen a wrestler's hand go through their opponents chest or head while doing a move, but they've really come a long way since those days. The ring looks good and whips into the ropes look realistic. There's not a whole lot to say other than the graphics are definitely satisfactory.

Music/Sound:
They've picked a decent track for this game. Who spends much time in the menu, though? Moving on though, the in-ring sounds are good, to go along with the good graphics. Hey, even if they couldn't give this game everything the other consoles get with the game, at least the graphics and sounds are realistic, right? Commentary is the same old thing from past games: repetitive. There's no way around this for them, though, I mean, how many different lines can you record? So while the commentary can get annoying, it's understandable, and I figure it's probably better to have some commentary then none at all.

Match Types:
Hmm... Is there some sort of mistake? Did they forget to put in all of the other hardcore matches for the Wii version? Maybe they were thinking of having them all listed under “Hardcore” so that when you chose “Hardcore”, you'd have a list of 10 or more hardcore match types. That probably isn't the case, though. So we've got Single, Hardcore, Tag Team, Triple Threat and K.O. Match. What? That doesn't seem like a variety. If only having five match types doesn't sound appealing, wait until you get into a hardcore match. There's only one weapon to use, and I can bet you can guess which weapon that is: the reliable steel chair. There's no variety in one weapon. So, if you're looking for variety, this isn't the game to try. Moving on though...

Game Play:
So, if you don't want to just play exhibition matches, there are two other options, and no, one of them isn't a “Story Mode”. There's “Main Event” mode and “Tournament” mode. Main event mode lets you pick a character to start off from the lowest rank (Jobber) and move yourself up the ladder to the top rank (Main Eventer). You must balance wrestling matches with massages (because after each match, you get fatigue, and start the next match with less stamina). If you're going through with a CAW or WWE Superstar, you'll want to balance in Training as well, to boost your stats. So while it's a lot of wrestling with no story line, at least there is some fun to it, as you try to rise in ranks and win titles. This is the mode where you need to complete a bunch of different things to unlock characters and arenas. You won't be able to do it all in one go, so you'll have to replay “Main Event” mode to unlock everything. Hopefully you don't mind a repetition of no storyline. At least there are four difficulties to try each time: Easy, Normal, Hard and Legend. The other mode, “Tournament” mode, has a couple tournaments in it: “King of the Ring” and “Beat the Clock Challenge”. They're a nice alternative to Exhibition, but there really isn't any reward for beating the tournaments. You can choose to do quick tournaments too, which can include tag team, single and hardcore type matches. It gets old, fast. The game doesn't have any replay value, as there isn't even a storyline, let alone an alternative storyline with different wrestlers. Speaking of wrestlers, there are a nice bit of wrestlers in this game, which is a good thing.

Create A Wrestler/Move Set:
Creating a wrestler is always a must in these games, and this CAW mode is pretty well done. You can make a wrestler and give him/her very distinct traits. There are quite a bit of different options (though I don't think anything will ever compare to RAW 2's CAW mode) for you to fool around with. After creating a wrestler, you get to create a move set for them. The unfortunate part about that is that you don't get to give your wrestler a big selection of moves, not to mention there aren't a lot of moves to begin with. Entrances are the same as any of the past game, really, nothing special to mention about that.

Controls:
The controls are basic and easy to adjust to. Where this game lacks in many other departments, because of the Wii controller, this game has a unique experience to it, as pins, getting up after being hit with a move, reversals, basically anything, require you to move your arm around. The taunts are unique as well, as you move the controller and nun chuck around as the superstar in the game would to use their taunt. It really gives you the feeling like you're in the game. Thankfully the controls leave you wanting to come back for more.

Multiplayer:
The game is fun and interactive, especially on the Wii, with the intensity that can be unleashed with the Wii controllers and what not. A buddy of mine and I were playing and just went wild, and I must admit that this game, while lacking in a story mode and many other things, is fun to play with a buddy.

So overall, I'd have to say that the game was fun while it lasted. I got a good few days of excitement out of it, and after putting it down for a couple of weeks, I am ready to give another go at “Main Event” mode in the next difficulty to unlock more characters and arenas. Perhaps I'll even try to waste some hours in CAW mode, trying to make some wrestlers that they missed in the game. Anywho, here is a breakdown of what needed improvement:
-More match types
-More weapons
-More moves
-A better selection for move sets
-A story mode
-Something to add replay value to the tournament mode
-Something more than unlockables to add replay value to main event mode

Other than that, the game was pretty alright. I wouldn't rank this as one of the best wrestling games I've played. I don't want to say that this game as a whole on the spectrum of all of the consoles is lacking, because I haven't tried it for any of the other consoles, but for the Wii, this game would get a rank of 5/10 from me. It definitely lacks a lot, but there is some fun to the game.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 01/14/08

Game Release: WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2008 (US, 11/13/07)