WWE Raw 2

"Raw 2 shows no mercy for No Mercy!!! So like Goldberg says Believe The Hype!!!"

Introduction - After almost a two year wait Xbox owners that has been anticipating a good wrestling game after a let down of WWE Raw does not have to wait no longer. WWE Raw lacked a story/season mode, match types, and all around depth. Well to out do it’s prequel WWE Raw 2 has improved in all aspects. Unfortunately like most games though this game does have it’s flaws, but can be over looked due to the all around package.

Gameplay - The Gameplay is really a matter of opinion. In my opinion I believe it is great with the way it plays so similar to WWF No Mercy. For those that are use to the Playstation and Playstation 2’s Smackdown Series may be a little disappointed in this title as this game is a Sim unlike the Smackdown games which are more on the arcade type games. When it comes to seeing the execution of the moves in the game most really can’t be beat. The animation has drastically improved over it’s processor. This is also good because of the fact that no one walks like they have something stuck up there butt no more unlike the original. The only real problem I see with the gameplay is the AI. When I say this I mean the AI is really dumb. One example of this is while in a tag match instead of trying to stop your opponents partner from stopping you from pinning the legal man your partner tries to pick you up making the match just that much more difficult. Another example would be that when your enemy tries to interferer they help you instead of attacking you. One more example would be that your opponent will try to pin you over and over again leaving you just bashing on the buttons for a couple minutes until you get up, let them pin you or until time runs out.
8/10

Story - This is called season mode where all of the action and backstage antics really happens like on TV. Unlike most other WWE titles this game lets you pick the action your Superstar does. You are able to choose from Select Manager, Set Trap, Break Up, Manipulate, Sneak attack, Call Out, Complain ect. To make a storyline of your choosing. With each action you choose you may get a different outcome like if you choose to Call someone out they may not come out, but the next time you do they appear on stage for the two of you to argue making you hatred even more deeper. One thing you will find difficult is that getting a title shot really depends on luck more then your skills. You can go months setting traps, calling out, and beating up the champ backstage just to have Trish Status get a title shot before you and even win it, WTF? Believe me that there will be some weird champs after a while while playing this. Can some one say Stephanie McMahon and Goldberg as the WWE Tag champs. While on the subject of Titles the game (no pun intended) lets you face off for the Cruiser weight, WWE, World, Women’s, WWE Tag, and World Tag titles. With no IC or U.S. title to be found. Do to this the World title plays like the IC or US title as it is not as good a title as the WWE title as to what I have seen.
9/10

Graphics - The Graphics and presentation of this game is excellent. In fact it may be one of the best looking games out this year. From the sweat reflecting from a wrestlers body to the detail in the arena it will just blow you away. This is really expressed in the Entrances with the great pyros and such just showing off the power of the X. The Graphics will just make you believe that you are the live instead of sitting at home with a controller in your hand.
10/10

Sound - This is not really one of the best parts of the game to me. The Menu and in game music will sometimes get on your nerves and if you try to turn it off you also turn off the entrance music. While on the subject of entrance music I must inform you that a lot of them were left out because of licensing issues but can be fixed with the ability to rip you own music from you Hard Drive so if you can get your hands on the authentic music you don’t have anything to worry about. You should also know there is no Commentary in the game so there is no hearing J.R. say Slobber Knocker!!! and no King saying Puppy’s!!!
8/10

Replay Value - With the excellent CAS (Create A Superstar) mode and great Season mode you should be able to sweat out months of fun out of this title if not more. Since I can’t think of anywhere else to say this I think I will put it here. The CAS mode is one of the most in depth ones around giving you not only the ability to customize your superstars Appearance and moves but it also lets you Create A Titantron, Create A Entrance with ability to use you own ripped tracks from your HD, and edit plenty of things for your CAS plus default Superstars. (Some things you can not edit like the face and profile for default wrestlers but you can clone then to do as you wish with them although it takes up a CAS space of the 64 there is.) This is in all honestly Smackdown’s rival within the CAS/CAW modes.
10/10

Final Recommendation - It’s hard for me to say if it is a Buy or Rent title due to how different peoples opinions is. My opinion it is a must buy if you are a Wrestling fan of just want a Sim style wrestling game (Action is somewhat Slower then Smackdown‘s but quicker then WWE Raw). If you think you like how Smackdown plays and don’t have a Xbox then you should get SD:HCTP coming out soon but if you are lucky enough to have an Xbox I would have to say buy it but if you are still skeptical rent it first.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 09/22/03