From: THQ Average Rating: Binding: Video Game ESRB Age Rating: Teen Label: THQ Model: 99023 Platform: PLAYSTATION 3 Release Date: October 13, 2008
Features:
The heart of the Smackdown! Series is the Season-Story mode with the addition of authentic Superstar VO and commentary.
For the first time ever in a WWE game, fans can compete online in head-to-head action.
New storylines with bigger double-crosses and over-the-top surprises.
Create a Championship Belt and then set up your own PPV to defend it. Be careful - lose a match and lose your Championship, as it will transfer to the other player's memory card!
New WWE Legends, including one of the all-time greats, Andre the Giant!
Product Description: From the most successful wrestling game series of all time comes the next phenom in sports entertainment, WWE Smackdown! vs. Raw. Two worlds will collide as the most elite Superstars square off on the Playstation 3. WWE programming comes to life with authentic Superstar Voice Over and commentary throughout the season mode An abundance of new gameplay mechanics give full control over all aspects of the game including new chop battles, submission reversals, match tactics and upgraded Royal Rumble controls. The Divas are hotter than ever with an enhanced Bra and Panties Match, and to polish off the robust roster, from the halls of immortality, come a handful of the most celebrated legens ever to lace up their boots. The influential Smackdown! Series has evolved into one single definitive experience that is WWE Smackdown! vs. Raw. Smackdown! vs. Raw will have all new gameplay mechanics including a chop battle, pre-match stare down, new grappling position, test of strength and submission reversal system. Make HBK tap out in the Sharp shoot, vanquish HHH in a cage match, defeat six legends with the legend-killer Randy Orton - these are just a few of the 60 challenges that await! Opportunity to choose if you want to fight dirty or win over the crowd, adding more strategy and personality to each match Outstanding graphics upgrade Improved Royal Rumble mechanics ESRB Rated T for Teen
The Wrestling Standard This is the wrestling standard and has been for quite some time. I wish the polygons were increased a little...It kind of reminds me of the PS2 versions of the past. Compared to TNA's game, the graphics here are a bit second-rate. Don't get me wrong though, because they do look great. There really isn't that much difference. I am being picky because, frankly, this game is just about as good as it gets.
The various modes add to the replay value. This series has become quite the simulation-style game in recent installments. Its like playing Madden 09 or Nascar 09 in that regard.
It is nice to see full ring entrances (something TNA is lacking).
How I wish for the N64 days of No Mercy I put this game in and it looks spectactular graphic wise. I went to play it and I threw up my hands. This has got to be the most retarded wrestling game since wcw thunder on the playstation. NO play control, about as bad as ironman on the PS3. Story mode is dumb, I cannot emphasize how dumb it is. Mid season I complete the story mode and beat the game. It does not lead you to wrestlemania for the big blowoff main event/final boss battle. Very non-sensical. Not any fun at all. Pass.
svr08 was not very good all i have to say is that this game had good graphics ( color seemed a bit washed out and dull looking) and online keeps you playing at least, as for 24/7 mode, it was a big let down by thq/yukes, the storylines were the worst in the series, i was disappointed, and gm mode which i dont play at all only to unlock the gm award is just useless and boring, i cant wait til svr09 comes , i ot a feeling svr09o will be the best since smackdown HCTP
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 thq alway's improves on the series so take my advice and rent the games berore you buy them and find out for your self if you like them or not. because wrestling games very between fans. so i will say this this game is good.
...This is WWE? First let me say that I have played every version of the Smackdown series on the Playstation systems. The first 2 games on the PSOne, all the rest on PS2 and now this on the PS3. And let me say, out of all those games... this is the first one that has ever truly disappointed me (Though the game following "Here Comes The Pain" was pretty poor too).
With this being the first version to release on Sony's new console, I expected more of a punch... what did I get... Better graphics, faster loading times... ummmmm, well, that's all that the punch had in it. No, really, that's ALL the positive notes that this game sings. Everything else has been downgraded. And if the downgrades don't annoy you... the glitches surely will (especially in 24/7 Mode).
For instance, the game has cut back on several match types... you think with the system upgrade that the game could find a way to include ALL former match types. But that's not the case. I Quit, Special Referee and Slobberknocker are nowhere to be found. Add to this that Iron man matches have been restricted to 20 minutes rather than the usual hour and now Diva's can't compete in all the matches that men can. Why? Why get rid of these features? Even if not popular, some people still like to use them.
The roster size is still decent... more Diva's then needed though. Really, who actually plays as them? Once in a bluemoon maybe... but rarely. Some useless Diva's easily could've been taken out for some other superstars that gamers would love to play as. London and Kendrick anyone? But no, the roster is missing some wrestlers that would've been a welcome addition and have no reason to be missing in action. Another annoyance in terms of the roster is the Great Kahli... Maybe this is just a personal gripe. But I'm sure others are annoyed when you play as Chavo and can pick Kahli up. The weight class system seems to have fallen.
Though my main gripe comes with 24/7 Mode. Usually I'd finish season mode and then bust the game out only for multiplayer, but with the introduction of GM mode I started to play the game nearly every day for MONTHES. GM Mode is addictive and the real draw for hardcore wrestling fans. 24/7 mode tries to combine the 2 modes into one mode. First let me say, playing as a superstar has a one year playthrough. No real need to replay, the story isn't interesting at all. GM Mode... well, it is better then being a Superstar in my oppinion, but it falls below last years game here. The addition of signing your superstars with tasks on non-show days is interesting... the mode ultimately fails. The computer beats you easily with stupid non-compatible matches (Melina vs Batista vs Chavo as a main event at a PPV- Grrrrr) Even when you do a 4 star show and your rivals do 3 star shows, they can still find ways to steal your viewers. The most aggravating glitch ever? Just might be. Though it's also frustrating finding out your 5 star PPV has earned you 775, 000 new viewers only to look at the fan chart and find out there has been no increase. 3 monthes in and I'm having a blast in GM Mode, though after several incidents like that I'd decided to just call it quits. Why continue when even winning doesn't let you win. (Confusing sentance, but it does make sense, trust me)
Now the actual in match gameplay. Well, HCTP was the high point for in match gamplay. This game offers less moves and a reversal system that you'd NEVER EVER see on a WWE show. The reversal system makes it seem less like an actual wrestling match and more like a game... about dancing. Because that's what it looks like. Dancing. Powerbombs are fewer and far between here ladies and gentlemen.
In closing, the Smackdown franchise has certainly fallen far from being the yearly highlight they once were. Maybe TNA Impact will wake them up and cause them to focus again to compete...? I hope so anyway, because I LOVE the WWE games. But this year my only sure buy is TNA Impact, I'll rent SDvsRAW09 before buying.
Now I'm going to trade this game in... and I hardly ever do that. But I feel ripped off.
Only buy if you've never played a WWE game... even then, you're better off waiting for the update. This game is forgettable.
Anything Goes Trivia
Last Kiss
Megaton Man
Trevor
