WWE Raw 2

"Raw 2, for the most part, delivers a solid game to WWE fans."

Introduction: For the past few years, each system has each had its own exclusive wrestling title from the WWE. For the PS2, it's the Smackdown series. Always delivering quality. For the Nintendo fans, it's the Wrestlemania series. A fairly good portrayal of sports entertainment. And for Microsoft's Xbox, there is the Raw series. The first Raw, had many of us salivating over it's extremely well done graphics, many thought the gameplay would be as good as the graphics. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. The first Raw was a huge disappointment, with probably the worst gameplay and story mode in any wrestling game. Raw 2 brought new hope to Xbox wrestling fans, and Anchor has certainly delivered an above average game to life. Anchor has now given Xbox wrestling fans a game actually worth using their time to play, and it is certainly well worth it. And so, the wait for a good wrestling game on the Xbox ended...

Gameplay-8: The most important aspect of any game. The game takes a little while getting used to, but once you know how to do all your moves (as they're very easy to do) the game becomes very fun. Simple things like doing your special can be easily achieved when your voltage meter turns red by pressing X + A. The tight and easy controls make the gameplay that much more fun and easier to enjoy. To do your variety, it's simple a combination of left, right, up or down and X or A. Giving you a good arsenal. Exhibition mode offers a very varied type of match sets, including Hell In a Cell, TLC, Table, and an Armageddon match where there are nine players fighting. The Season Mode, a very hyped part of the game is done nicely as well. Not as nicely as I'm sure we'd all like, however it's more than satisfactory. The only thing missing from it is people actually saying anything during the cut scenes. No text even. Overall, once you get the controls right away you should be able to enjoy and grow to love this game. If you're one who loves indulging yourself in massive Create-A-Superstar, then be prepared for a very long but well worth it mode. The CAS mode in Raw 2 excels above all else, offering you the most customizable superstar in any game. (that is, to my knowledge and up until now) You're able to customize everything from your gimmick; which includes a serious male gimmick, to every light available for your entrance. Add the fact you can use your own soundtrack from the Xbox hard drive, and even your own titantron video (it's not as good as it would seem, but it is a start.) the CAS is very rewarding. The costume selections, including accessories seems limitless, and with some unlockable things to get, it's very well done. Things you can unlock are nWo tights or Sting face paint. Again, overall you'll thoroughly enjoy Raw 2 when it comes to gameplay.

Graphics-9: As always, like in most Xbox games, in the graphics department this game goes gold. Very smooth with little slowdown in framerate, as well as detailed wrestlers and nearly perfect animations make for a great looking game. Pyro's during a superstars entrance look very good, and there really isn't much else to say about the graphics. Aside from once in a while, you'll experience odd animations. Such as, your wrestler will be seen grabbing the ropes, where he's actually grabbing air and the ropes bending down as if he was holding it. A really minor problem, and you should look past it. This game looks great and plays great.

Sound-6: Aside from custom soundtracks for your CAS, the games sound isn't that good. It's not that there's a mediocre soundtrack that plays while you wrestle (instead of the option to listen to your own music while playing), because sounds like hitting the mat or grunting are done fairly well. It's that no one besides the referee or announcer talk. This has probably been mentioned in other reviews, and personally it's a major problem which takes away from the games atmosphere, thus hurting it. Say you're playing season mode, and your Eric Bishoff is announcing a match for you. Instead of either seeing a bit of text, which has him explaining things, or him actually SAYING the things that need to be heard, you see him talking. While he talks, mediocre game music plays and it's over. You find out once it's done whoever you're facing. It's not as annoying as it becomes later on, as you dive deeper and deeper into the season mode, trying to do things you need to do. The fact no one ever says a thing makes the cut scenes look dull after a while, and it saddens me that such a simple thing as either having text or having them speak it was left out.

Replayability-7: There's only so many times to do this, and so many times to do that. Besides unlocking everything, the only replay I can see is when you have friends over or you're simply bored. However, if you're a hardcore wrestling fan you may find a lot of replay value in it. The next step: Online wrestling. Doesn't that sound sweet? :)

Overall-7.5: Is it better than Raw? 100% yes. Is it worth owning? For some yes, for some no. I'd recommend that any wrestling fan pick up WWE Raw 2, as it is simply a very solid wrestling game... Besides, would you honestly pick Raw 1 or Legends Of Wrestling over Raw 2?

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 09/22/03