A New Standard Has Been Set For WWE Games

I reviewed WWE Smackdown vs Raw and loved it, however it simply pales in comparison to the sequel. As the title says, a new standard has been set. The graphics are more lifelike then ever, but there's more to it.

The gameplay has been kicked up a notch. There is still the injury from the previous game where in your bar is a small body and any spots glowing are areas that have been injured. It goes from yellow to orange to red. Along with it is a brand new momentum meter. Unlike the previous game where you could just fill up a bar, when you gain momentum, not only do you get a finisher icon allowing you to perform your finisher, but if your momentum is still high while you do the finisher(your meter will be flashing when your momentum's high) it'll do a LOT more damage as opposed to doing it when your momentum is regular.

Also there is a stamina meter. When your superstar does power or high flying moves, punches/kicks, climbs something etc. it takes away from your superstar's stamina. The less stamina you have, the more tired your superstar get's and he will be less effective. You can refill your stamina by holding select but this leaves you vulnerable so make sure you're in a safe distance first. You can also steal your opponent's taunt, which will drop their momentum all the way down, but they can do it to you as well so be careful. Another new feature is to play possum, in which while you are laying on the ground, you can perform a sneaky pin.

A new feature is the ability to create an entrance. You can choose the music, the movie, and if you go into advance, detirmine things like pyro, how the superstar moves, etc. Like the previous game, you can also create a stable, a title, a wrestler and a move set.

Speaking of create a wrestler, there hasn't been much done to that. For those expecting something diffrent, only expect more shading details and being able to give your superstar a voice for season mode.

Season mode is kind of a toss up. On one hand, the cut scenes are much better, and your charicter has a voice as opposed to just texts. However the storylines are vastly inferior. The original's storyline was just so much more involving, while this one's is quick and uninvolving. On the bright side, unlike the other game, you can play legends in season mode.

Like the last game you can create a PPV, the only diffrence here is you don't get those little promos before the PPV like last game. Also, you can't skip title matches. What did I say? Yep, unlike the last game, you can have title matches. You have to unlock the World, WWE, Hardcore and Million Dollar belt but the rest are up for grabs.

A new mode is GM mode, highly anticipated. You choose to run either Raw or Smackdown. You can have a pre drafted roster(which is basicly everyone who was on that brand to begin with) or comepete with the opposing show and draft from scratch. You won't get legends or created wrestlers right away, but you CAN get them on there by going to Free Agent in the Roster section, pressing start, and turning legends/CAWS on and they'll be available for the next week.

Now every superstar has a popularity(100 being the highest) This, along with the match types, will detirmine what kind of ratings the match will get. You can also start rivarlries either through a promo or for having a match between two superstars. The two in a rivarly must either face in a match every week or have a rivalry promo to maintain the rivarly. Popularity is also affected by wins and losses. Contracts with superstars are limited so if you want to keep them you have to renew them when they begin to expire. You can also trade superstars, though only superstars with equal popularity can be traded, OR you trade one with a higher popularity. The goal is to get higher ratings then the opposing brand in order to win the GM of the Year every year. Although it can be frustrating, this mode is addictive and fun.

There are brand new matchs types along with title matches, such as:

Buried Alive
Fullfill Your Fantasy
Bar Room Brawls

Old favorites like TLC, Elimination Chamber, Hell in a Cell, etc. are still there as well. Also like last game, there are legends to unlock. The first one, Hulk Hogan, is allready unlocked. The other legends include:

Ted Dibiase
Bret Heart
Mankind
Stone Cold
The Rock
Junkyard Dog
80's Hogan
NWO Hogan
Andre the Giant
Jimmy Heart
Jake the Snake(you need a PSP for this thought)

Some you can simply buy, others you have to unlock through other means. There are also locked arenas, like WM 21, WM 9 and ECW.

Also to note is the commentary. Not only does the commentary last longer(and also less repeptitive) it's a lot more fun to listen to, and they react more to what is going on in the ring.

Although the game definetly has some flaws, it's definetly a grand step further.