WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 Reviews

• not really worth the long wait

  
  By A3O5T5VAQ3TD17 on 2007-11-13
  I am a big fan of the Smackdown game series I own them all, even the two for PS1. I found myself alittle disapointed when playing this game today. there are only two type of gaming controls, they both are very hard to get get use to, if your like me and are use to playing with "type D" the locker room sucks, you can't cust. like in the prev. games. there's really not alot to unlock this year. the story line to me got boring after about an hour of game play, it loads WAY to much, not to slow tho. I am really pissed about the roster, it sucks. All in all, this is a rent before you buy game.
  
  

• Major Disappointment

  
  By A2F9WPDCBKEFRX on 2007-11-13
  Purchased Smackdown vs Raw 2007, one of the best most flexible games I had ever seen, the custom wrestler capabilities and variety was endless. AI engine had some issues, but even with that still the best game out. I couldn't wait for smackdown vs Raw 2008 (all they needed was to fix the AI and enhance graphics). Major disappoinment they fixed the AI by removing all of the customization available in 2007! Very disappointed, not worth it. Definitely a major step down from 2007! I would give it 0, but AMAZON requires at least 1 star.
  
  

• Change is bad!

  
  By A1CJTOULKHAMO4 on 2007-11-13
  Okay i love wwe games but come on THQ leave the freakin' controls alone! Every game we have to learn a diffrent control system that really takes the fun out of the game. Yea u can have great graphics and cool music (not the rap)but having to press 6 buttons just to move is dumb! 08 could have been the best but thanks to a very difficult and stupid control system you have now made my wallet and pride hurt! I knew i should i have got cena's dvd instead!@#@ Anyways Lets all thank THQ for a bad idea to change the controls again. Buy the game if you love wwe but buy a gun too so u can shoot yourself when Rey mysterio keeps beating you up cause you can't move right!
  
  

• Poor roster and complicated controls....

  
  By A1PQH2Q3HATCT4 on 2007-12-04
  Just got the game for the PS2.. Really disappointed that the controls have changed... Why did the developers change the controls from the previous game which had better controls... Damn i'm pissed.
  
  All in all, i think this is the worst Smackdown game ever released... One of the worst rosters too and the complicated controls just sums it all up... Where is Deuce and Domino? Jimmy Wang Yang? Kevin Thorn? Big Daddy V? And many many others who are in the WWE now???? Just disappointed.
  
  As for the controls, anyone knows how to drag an opponent who is on the ground? Everytime i wanna pin him, i get rope break.. With the new controls, i have no idea how to drag the opponent.... Please help...
  
  

• WWE FAN

  
  By A34F1I9DS6P1RZ on 2007-11-14
  The graphics are solid and much improved; the game play is realistic and engaging. I found the controls solid and a challenge, I hate when a company releases a non-progressing title. It's a good addition for the wrestling or WWE fan, it provides what a sequel should an improved version of the last with more challenges and tightness to the game. Some of the commentary is a little cheesy but again this is wrestling so maybe that's not a bad thing. I'm enjoying the game (non-hardcore gamer) and ended up going back and buying another for a Christmas present for my nephew and yes I'll buy next years WWE title.
  
  
  
• Very Disappointed. Horrible Storylines. Why even release this game?
  By A245PD40SQR8HW on 2007-11-15
  Having been so happy with last years Smackdown vs Raw 2007, I figured this game would be even better. Seeing that this is one of only two games that I ever play, I was excited. But that excitement quickly turned into disappointment.
  
  -The Storylines? They dont even feel like storylines. They arent interesting at all. Its all over the place. Before matches they have this cheesy clip of you going through the hallway while superstars are doing pushups, jumpingjacks, and retarded moves of all kinds lol. And even funnier is that most of the time you go through and its your rivals doing the silly moves , while you stop and greet them and shake their hands.
  
  -You become number one contender , without ever getting a title shot it seems.
  
  -The Controls are next to horrible. Why change the entire control system? Are they trying to lose money here? Its just so hard to get used to, that is what killed the game the most. Controls are HORRIBLE.
  
  -The locker room has been changed. Not a big deal, but still takes away from the game.
  
  -The Messages you get in the inbox on the little cell phone are all out of sync with the schedule. You'll have a match , finish it, and get a message talking about that same match and how its coming up.
  
  - When you win a match most of the time, the animation afterwards makes it seem like you lost.
  
  Overall this game is a disappointment. Id rather play last years game again, then to play this effortless title.
  
  
• as bad as WWE has become lately
  By ANI2R5PEITIFL on 2008-06-10
  crappy roster, slow loading times, dumb angles in the story mode, terrible move controls, its almost impossible to do a reversal cause the opportunity flashes for half a second and in video game time it just doesn't work, it takes a tremendous effort to take the belt off the hook in the ladder match which makes it very frustrating, its hard to make tags, commentary gets old quickly...i could go on....they should make a game where the WWE world is free roaming and you choose your allies, enemies, your angles, etc...and then the computer puts their input based on your choices...I hate being forced to fight people when I don't want to and I HATED that Rowdy Piper came back and turned on me as a tag team partner - what purpose does that hold in 2008 - if I am Triple H why is Piper beating my a** and making me look like a loser??? maybe Kamala can come back too and feud with triple h in the next version, that would be just as smart...
  
  
• decent, but NOT 5 star material!
  By A2QMOA53UFPZ2V on 2007-11-19
  overall, not a bad game- worth renting first before buying.
  
  pros:
  - it's the LATEST WWE game out there!!!
  - good to see some new wwe superstars added to roster
  
  cons:
  - TERRIBLE voice overs (i think they used a stand-in for JBL's voice?)
  - in the 24/7 (career) mode, even if you win the match, the cut scenes show you being kicked out as if you lost? there's ZERO logic there- it's like i'm playing a different game?
  - new controls...AGAIN! this means any time i want to play 2006 or 2007, i have to 'warm up' for at least 10 minutes before i remember all the buttons! VERY annoying, especially since all 3 were made by the same folks!
  - music is kind of annoying, but at least can be muted
  
  i give it 3 stars mainly because it's refreshing to play the newest installment, but the new controls, retarded cut scenes and overall choppiness make it slightly 'awkward' to really enjoy.
  
  
• Overall great game!
  By A3RTNA9THAU2OP on 2007-12-24
  Overall the game is great. The graphics are excellent. The only problem is the game speed is a little slow. Last year's game had better movements, but this year's game has much better graphics.
  
  
• I love this game
  By A2V5LKFCXH1E64 on 2008-01-20
  Its as raw as it gets. Nerve pinching, back breaking RAW action.
  I recommend it to anyone who loves a good fight.
  
  
• matthew payne
  By A2KWP1UXYQOBJ5 on 2008-02-16
  This game actualy kinda the same as '07 but there are some new fetures.
  I got this game yesterday and I have set almost everything you can on
  fire.You can have torches and tables on fire but you have to be winning
  to set anything on fire.The customizing realy sucks ,You cant evev customize your locker room.
  
  
  
• It's like a drug!!!
  By A3HLRR2FL9E5DP on 2008-02-26
  Aside from the admittedly reduced roster, I still must say that "Smackdown vs. Raw 2008" remains every bit as addictive as any other WWE title that preceded it.
  
  Much has already been voiced here about the "complicated" and "frustrating" controls and, I agree, they are. This is mostly why I opted for "Control Type B." This alternate control scheme was far more easier to navigate and, while I still don't prefer using those pesky analog sticks, I actually believe it grants the game more of a nostalgic arcade feel. It only really took me ten minutes to familiarize myself with how everything worked and, now, I'm pulling off suplexes, powerslams, and turnbuckle leaps like a seasoned pro! Anybody still amiss over the controls should therefore give this other set a try. They will all immediately notice a firsthand steady drop in their complaints.
  
  I purchased the game this past weekend and am currently three months into the 24/7 mode with Ric Flair. Talk about a wrestling fan's wet dream! This new gaming experience ingeniously blends the traditional Season and General Manager modes from years past and gives us what is, essentially, a twenty-four hour seven-day-a-week breakdown of a professional wrestler's workaday life. It provides an overflowing plethora of character development options. You get statistical tracking and career goals that all serve to guide you toward the ultimate achievement of becoming a WWE Legend. What I find particularly cool is the whole "realism" aspect. If you're injured in any way during a match, you'll receive a text message encouraging you to pursue treatment. This means, to anybody who may not already know, that you rest up and relax on your "off" days. Rest & relaxation is but one of several options you have when you're not wrestling. You can sign autographs, conduct interviews, perform charity functions, or work on enhancing your physical skills. It all adds into your collective goal at rising up in the ranks and is, beyond any doubt, a postively awesome new feature that falls ito why I currently cannot get enough of this game.
  
  Then, of course, comes the new struggle submission system. This is amazing! I'm currently using Ric Flair, as I've already said, case in point. His finisher, as any fan will tell you, is the Figure Four Leg Lock. I put this hold on Carlito in a recent match and the hold was broken! I know, big deal, right? Well, let me tell you how Carlito got out of it. He didn't grab the rope to force a break from the referee. No, Carlito actually pulled Flair's leg out from around his own and physically squirmed his way out of the hold! Call me a geek, but it's little touches like that a fanboy like me lives for! And, keep in mind, I've only been playing this for the last three days. There could be any number of other surprises I still have yet to see.
  
  And the legends? Well, let me think. I haven't advanced far enough to unlock any yet. But, from what I've seen online, the big names we have on tap this year include: Bret Hart, "Ravishing" Rick Rude, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Sabu, Mick Foley, Terry Funk, and a few others that I may honestly be forgetting. Sabu, wow! The addition of ECW in this year's game is, to me, the quintessence of cool. That brings to mind the newly-added Extreme Rules match! Every weapon you can possibly imagine at your disposal, including the long-overdue ability to set fire to a table before slamming your opponent through its surface! Who couldn't want that?
  
  It's obviously not going to be every gamer's cup of tea. But, at the same time, I completely fail to see how any true video-gaming wrestling nut could possibly pass this up! Trust me when I say....you will lose sleep, you will miss appointments, and long-time friends will forget your name if you plain and simply do not force yourself to put down the controller. This new game, for me, as I've already well established, is just that addictive and belongs in every fan's collection.
  
  
  
  
• The best wrestling game thus far...
  By A3CHG7WLK3RK7M on 2008-03-26
  My title says it all. This is the best wrestling game ever made and an improvement over all other Smackdown games. Thats right, I said it, and I've played damn near every wrestling game for every system...ever! Even that horrible "Fire Pro Wrestling Returns" game.
  
  People have to understand, SvsR is like Madden, you get a new one every year, but you can't expect major changes, only slight improvements. Nevertheless, an improvement is an improvement, no matter how big. Is the improvements in this game worth the buy and upgrade from SvsR 2007? For sure!
  
  Running has majorly improved. All wrestling games before this, your wrestler would run in a straight path when the run buttom was pressed and held. You would have to stop and press the run button again to run in a diffrent direction, making running look robotic and inhuman-like. In SvsR 2008 you are able to run more realisticly and free. You can run in circles, in other words, by holding down the run button (R1) and moving your wrestler with the analog stick. Major improvement in my eyes, it simply makes the game more realistic and fun. You also get tired and slow down after running for a bit.
  
  I'm not sure why a few reviewers don't like the controls. They are simple to learn and use, and moving with the left analog stick is perfect for this game. They also have an alternate control type to use...I love the controls, it took me 10 min. to get used to everything, and they really haven't changed much from SvsR 2007. The reduced number of moves for each wrestler doesn't bother me a bit, you still have plenty for each wrestler. The create-a-wrestler is about the same, maybe a tad better, but the create-a-entrance has improved. A sliding bar has been added so you can see when exactly you have placed fireworks and such, thus making them easier to change and time.
  
  The roster is kinda weak. I wish they had about 60 more legends. THQ needs to make a SvsR game with just Legends, with tons of them. You can create up to 30 wrestlers, so there should be zero complaints about the roster. If someone isn't in the game that you like, create them. There are several on-line sites that can help with creation of real wrestling stars. I haven't played the new story mode yet, but I don't have to, I like playing random matches more than anything. The story mode will only add to the game for me.
  
  The best wrestling game yet isn't perfect though, but THQ is getting closer with this release. ECW was an awesome addition, btw. Add the ol' WCW for the next release!
  
  
• same thing
  By A5X0G8LTO1J9E on 2008-04-13
  All the smackdown vs raw are the same thing i mean come on theirs nothing different about this game they just took out some characters and the story mode sucks really bad you can't really play just the computer 07 was the same but the best one
  
  
• Change is Bad. VERY BAD!
  By A3G4BFD7FN8VF1 on 2007-11-15
  Could WWE SmackDown! vs RAW 2008 be even worse Than 2007...
  
  When "WWE Smackdown vs RAW 2007" came out, we all had to deal with a complex, needlessly confusing new control style, on top of an awful GM Mode, and an even WORSE Technique-to-Weight system, that made playing the game needlessly bad, in favor of trying to reach a "realistic" level of play. Well, I am here to tell you that "WWE Smackdown vs RAW 2008" is even WORSE than last year's game.
  
  It boggles my mind to think that THQ is *purposely* making these games worse and worse every year, so my only logical explanation is that they are running out of disc room in order to keep many things the same, while adding in new features. Maybe this would explain the new, chopped-up "Wrestlling Styles."
  
  To put it simply, THQ is trying to hype up giving you LESS of a moveset than ever before! That's right! In 2006, we had 30 grapples per wrestler. In 2007, it was 24. Well, in 2008, we have a whopping 12 moves per wrestler! That's right! TWELVE. A total of eight for the front grapples, and four for rear grapples! I kid you not.
  
  To make matters worse, these new styles limit your ENTIRE moveset now, not just your Grapples, like 2007's Weight Distribution system did. What this means is you can now only do a Super Dirty Move if you're playing as "Dirty." You can now only steal finishers and taunts if you're playing as "Showman." You can't even do a combo strike attack unless you're playing as "Brawler!" You can only use weapons if you're playing as "Hardcore!" You can only do rope, springboard, and diving moves if you're playing as "High-Flyer." So, what this leaves you with is about 20% of what you used to be capable of doing on any given wrestler! Like I said, there's almost NO plausible explatation on why that dumb-a$$ Cory Ledesma and his monkeys at THQ have done this, but what we are left with is a severely limited moveset.
  
  To make matters worse, THQ is now *forcing* you to play using their Godawful control stick system, now! Last year, at least you could switch it to the classic style with Control Type D. That is no longer the case as you now have no ability to switch your control style. And no matter how use you may get to using the new control system, you'll never like it.
  
  So, we not only have less moves per wrestler, and less available moves to choose from, but we also have to use this needlessly complicated and never-fun control style, too. Saying it takes a while to get to would be an understatement. I am sure many players will NEVER adjust to this mess we have here.
  
  As for the other games features, well, they aren't good, either. Of course, we have less match types now than ever before (Backstage Brawls is just one of them to be removed from the game). ECW Extreme Rules sucks. Bottom line. There, I said it. So, other than the basics, you can forget to find any new match types, here.
  
  As most already know by now, the Roster blows, big time. This console version of the game literally has less wrestlers than the freaking PSP version! And although their entrance animations are present in the game (meaning at one point or another, they WERE planned to be in the game), Paul London, Brian Kendrick, Kevin Thorn, Ariel, Deuce, Domino, Sgt. Slaughter, Eddie Guerrero, Bam Bam Bigelow, and Balls Mahoney are NOT in this game!
  
  Who would've thought Cryme Tyme would be the only highlighted new additions to the game? MVP, Jeff Hardy, and the ECW scrubs are in here, too, but they are just simply no good. Other than your main eventers and upper midcarders, don't expect any big surprises here.
  
  Oh, but there is one, at least. Although unadvertised before it's release, Vince, Shane, JBL, and Tommy Dreamer are playable in the game. Who knew?
  
  WWE 24/7 Mode forces you to choose between a traditional WWE Season Mode, a Created Character Season Mode, or a General Manager's Mode. Since I always hate the terribly written storylines in these games, I chose GM Mode. And well... it's a step up from last year, but it's still ultimately unchanged since it's debut in Smackdown vs RAW 2006. Same scheduling, same rivalries system, same repetitveness, and nothing new to make GM Mode fresh and interesting, again.
  
  There is at least, a new way you play through it, now. Instead of going from week to week, managing your show, you'll now have to schedule events for the whole rest of the week, now! Just like in real life, when wrestlers aren't sheduled for work on RAW, SmackDown, or ECW, you'll have to take care of their day-today lives. Such options involve training and exercise, publicity events such as Autograph signings or movie deals, and taking care of their health, popularity, and overall happiness. Everyday, you'll choose a superstar and choose how you want to improve them, to make them an overall better performer in the WWE. While these new day-to-day living events adds something new to GM Mode at least, the core of it all (make a match card, stop your stars from whining and bitching, and repeat endlessly) are still the same.
  
  The other half of WWE 24/7 mode is the traditional Career/Season Mode, and there isn't really much to expect from it. A lot of the same old things.
  
  Create-A-Superstar was extremely scaled back in 2007's game, but at least now, some of those missing elements have made a welcome return in this year's game after being removed from '07. You now will be able to make your superstar almost as good, if not as good, as you were able to do in SvR 2006.
  
  And if one good thing can be said out of this, that is THQ FINALLY fixed the Create-An-Entrance! Now, you can properly edit things with the help of a slider timer (my suggestion from last year). Also, you now will be able to edit your Title Belt entrance, as well. Last year, certain superstars who were too big to wear belts (Umaga, Mark Henry, Viscera, Khali) had their own seperate belt entrances. This idea comes into 2008 as you can now have your own seperate belt entrance, amongst you regular one, just like John Cena, Johnny Nitro, and Khali have.
  
  The music in this game is no better or worse than last year, which isn't necessarily a good thing. Just like 07, we get generic rock tracks from semi-famous bands, like Nonpoint and Project 86. And also just like last year, the quantity of songs we get are limited and few. About half an album's worth. The songs aren't bad as standalone tracks, but get EXTREMELY repetitive after less than a week of owning the game. You may wanna do what I did and just cut the background music off, altogether.
  
  Overall, this game is exactly what THQ has been doing for over two years now. Making you pay more to get less. Less of a moveset, less of a roster, less enjoyment, less fun, less of a true WWE Experience. And for the eighth year in a row, "WWF No Mercy" is STILL the King of thw Wrestling Video Game. I'm starting to think there will never be a No Mercy killer. But if there is, it sure as hell ain't coming from the retarded monkeys over at THQ.
  
  So, buy this or not? Of course, what I am saying is just merely my experience. My suggestion to you, even if you're a huge WWE fan, rent it, first. Then, you can review everything that is (or isn't) in this year's WWE THQ game, and make your own decisions.
  
  Of course, if you're on Amazon right now, and on this page, you may be thinking of buying it, now. In that case, DON'T. This game, for the most part, sucks. If you must own a WWE game on a Sony console, I'd suggest WWE Smackdown vs RAW 2006 (which is dirt cheap, now.) Buy that, and avoid the glitches of 2007's game, and REALLY avoid the dull, unexciting experience of this year's game.
  
  
  
  
• Good game, but expect disappointment
  By A3T29P4D0JJSZ4 on 2007-12-30
  One sure thing about this game; whether you are using a created superstar or an actual superstar, the gameplay is geared to be more realistic but expect some disappointment.
  
  PROS - I like the different fighting styles and the different variety matches. There is a slight different in the controls but still good to work with. The 24/7 mode combines the season mode and GM mode so its not about just winning matches to get to the next chapter, you actually have to make it there in one piece cuz if you are injured you wont get very far. In addition to the 24/7 mode the schedule is continuous and offers many and last minute changes which keeps you on your toes.The King of the Ring and Beat the Clock tournaments offer a different kind of excitement to the game. The Hall of Fame mode offers a small number of challenges but they are not simple so it will take time to complete this is also a factor in unlocking some of the Legend superstars.I love most of all is the creation/defending of the created titles and the fact that anyone can defend them.
  
  CONS - (Now most of the cons are based on the fact that I like to do CPU dream match-ups and make champs defend their gold)Many of the superstars I was used to seeing in SVR 2006 and 2007 are gone now and most of the ones that were put in the game are ones I dont really care to see anyway.(dont really care for Sabu and Terry Funk)And another thing is the glitches in the game as far with the name placements and the grafics in the Items Creations menus.
  
  Overall the game has enough to keep you busy for a while but it is missing a lot of the things you are use to seeing in the SVR series. If You are a SVR fan expect to be disappointed a little bit with this game.
  
  
• WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 for PS2
  By A25CKSIDPW3TJQ on 2007-12-31
  I am very pleased with this product. It was purchased for my grandson for Christmas and now he and his cousins can play together -- for hours! The game was delivered in a timely manner and in brand new condition as promised. Thanks for a great transaction!
  
  
• WWE Smackdown vs. Raw
  By ACHW34CL14ZE0 on 2008-01-08
  I bought this game for my husband for Christmas and he has had a blast creating new characters and going through the story line within the game. It is an excellent game for any wrestling fan to enjoy.
  
  
• Good Game
  By A1E7S99K2X7ERK on 2008-01-15
  My son had to have the new Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 when it came out. He really doesn't ask for many games, but likes these one a lot. I would not say that it is 5 star game and I only got it because it was on sale. He does say that it is better than the 2007 that he has.
  
  
• oops i did it again
  By A2AB59Z6GHWAEK on 2008-03-28
  If you are big into video games you will love this. If you are an average player the controls in this game do not work anything like the last smackdown vs raw. That is where I have the problem. You have different punch and kick buttons that take time to get used to. I wish that all video game makers would get together and make a standard for which buttons punch and kick. You can still have different combo's with all the rest of the buttons and joysticks on the controller but keep the same basics. I am still getting used to the changes and I am not sure I like the changes yet.
  
  
• BUY THIS GAME!!
  By A656DE96SEOGY on 2008-03-30
  This game is great compared to any game. I rented it and know I'm buying it next day. This game is great. The graphics are amazing. The reporters are cheesy but still you have to focus on the game. The AI doesget screwed up sometimes but live with it!!
  
  
• A+++ game
  By A143SWSJXY93QT on 2008-04-07
  This Game is great and I play it 1 hour Every Day on my PS2.
  My favorite character is WWE Diva Ashley which I play 97% more than any other WWE Superstar But wish they had Divas Maria, Beth Phoenix, Maryse, Layla and other Diva Superstars on Smackdown vs Raw 2008. I rate this Game 10 Stars.
  
  FYI I bought this game Cause Ashley I my favorite WWE Diva and If this WWE Smacksown vs Raw 2008 Game Did not have WWE Diva Ashley it would be rated only 2 & 1/2 stars.
  
  
• I just don't know about this one...
  By A30FC87CD8VWB5 on 2008-04-21
  This game is such a mixed bag for me. Some things are better than ever, such as the graphics, entrances, weapon moves, etc. There are also some pretty big negatives, like the fact that Yukes decided to remove TONS of moves from the game. You don't like HBK's front grapple moves? Are they too "boring"? Well, now you get to choose from only about 4 other grapples, which are equally as boring. You want to do a weapon grapple with John Cena or Undertaker? Sorry. Their fighting styles are not "hardcore", which means you cannot do weapon grapples. Want to remove the turnbuckle pads with CM Punk and strong irish-whip opponents into the exposed steel? No dice. Punk is not a "powerhouse", so he cannot strong irish whip. Even if he could, he can't remove the pad because he's not "dirty" enough. This is a bunch of crap. Why do they limit us and force us to play a certain way? Now there are only a few grapples per wrestler, whereas games like Smackdown HCTP (released over 4 years ago) allowed 16 FRONT grapples per wrestler, which led to matches with lots of depth and variety, and not much repetition at all. You could literally go an entire match without repeating the same move twice. Not anymore.
  
  The best wrestling games have TONS of grapples for different situations, and also allow unlimited freedom in the ring - play how you want to play. If you want to play dirty, do it. If you want to try a high-flying aerial move, do it. Great wrestling games also have a huge variety of moves and taunts in create-a-wrestler, and allow you to assign any of these moves to existing wrestlers (if you don't like their pre-assigned movesets). For some reason, Yukes keeps removing more and more moves from their library every single year, and now we are left with a very limited, very boring selection of moves and taunts. I know they are trying to make things "realistic", but they are taking away all the fun and FORCING us to play with very restricted movesets, which is frustrating considering games from 5-10 years ago had much more variety. Shame on you, Yukes.
  
  At least the graphics are really good, and the game features guys like Jeff Hardy, Sandman, Tommy Dreamer, and CM Punk. Plus some of the moves (especially finishers) have been re-animated to make them less choppy, and there are tons of cool weapon moves for wrestlers with "hardcore" fighting styles, including flaming tables and con-chair-to's.
  
  So, to sum it all up, for every positive in this game, there is a glaring negative. The roster includes some new faces, but the size is drastically reduced. The season/GM modes have been combined (cool in theory), but the concept is executed poorly and the whole thing is a mess. There are some cool new moves, but the movesets are reduced significantly. The fighting styles are unique to wrestling games and add "realism", but the wrestlers are much more limited in the ring, and are forced to play a certain way. Next year, Yukes, please remove all the gameplay restrictions, re-add all the grapples, re-add all the moves and taunts in CAW, beef up the roster, and give us a season mode that's actually fun to play. Then I will be a happy Smackdown fan again.
  
  
• Smackdown vs Raw 2008
  By A1VCTGORW147TQ on 2008-05-27
  This is my first wrestling game. The only realy issue with this game is that while you are able to create 30 Divas or Superstars after about 9 or 10 the game will not load on the PS2. I don't know if it is my PS2.(Purchased in 2001) or weather this is fairly standard no matter PS2 year purchased you have. Also would like to have created divas in their birthday suits, know what I mean Vern. But the less clothes for the divas is allright to. The game will not let Melina be controlled by a real person and lose her belt. I tried four different times and won each time but the belt never changed hands. There is no Bra and Panties match. If there is it must be locked or I could not find it. Also could not create my own Championship belt without "Paying" for it. That's just plain wrong. However I enjoy it and give it 3 thumbs up.
  
  
• Over Done, and Nothing But Hype
  By A26SD7ZMD3W0IL on 2008-05-30
  I must say at first this seemed like it would be a very good game, seeing as they added so much to it since any of the prior smackdown titles that i used to play. So this was the first time trying out the SvR series, and from what i heard it was pretty much the same game only with a few changes. Going into game play i thought everything would work as it did before only with some minor adjustments on parts of the matches and a little of the control scheme. WRONG!! The beginning tutorials of the game should say it all, you have to figure out each fighting style with its own individual and annoying learning curve that really isn't worth the time ,or the fun, you put into playing this. It does however, put an interesting strategic spin on things, but in my opinion the flow of the game suffers. But i must admit once I got the hang of the game, things did get fun. If there is one thing that thq brought to the table was a very slick, and polished environment. The choices you have in this game are impressive. and lets not forget about the play modes, 24/7 (which is one of the greatest concepts a wrestling game could have), Tournament (the thing i had the most fun with), Legend (which lets you fight in some of wrestling's greatest matches \m/) and many other great creative things (too many to answer).
  
  Thats all very cool, but here are a few issues i had. When playing in 24/7 mode with a created player, you have to maintain every little thing your player does, which is great, but heres the issue i had with the training mode. You have to engage in a two minute match to see if you can pull off the moves needed to earn just 1 stat point (which is pretty hard to do no matter what difficulty mode you play it in), seriously, why not 2 of 3 points depending on the type of wrestler you classify yourself as(Tech, Power, Speed etc.). That seems like it would make more sense wouldn't it? And if that isn't frustrating enough why are some of the most effective moves based off the square button and the right analog stick? I mean if your trying to pull off a move (especially fininshers), with a stiff maneuvering character, wouldn't have the developers made this alot less complicated? So at least you wont have to avoid the ridiculous counters every second of the match.
  
  Another thing that's annoying is the commentary and the cut scenes. These all would have been good if they wouldn't have JBL and Micheal Cole repeating the same uninspired drivel over and over again (i didn't get play the game enough to hear much of the other commentators, but im pretty sure it would've been the same thing). As for the superstars, in my opinion the current stars that WWE have on the roster right now are very boring and okay at best. CM punk seems to to be the only interesting superstar they have going on nowadays, but even his showmanship isn't the greatest. The stories are also pretty shallow and uncreative, playing with Booker T should tell you how lame that is lol. The wrestlers you get to choose from really aren't like anything of the truly charismatic originals from past wwe rosters. Even though some of them (and a bunch of other goodies) are available to unlock. But would you spend over 40 hrs playing a monotonous wrestling game to do it?, you decide.
  
  Then comes the matches that involve more than one opponent. This is one thing that really pissed me off. Instead of having a button you can press to switch over to the person you want to fight, you have to walk over to your opponent and have it switch over automatically. Only when 3 other opponents are attacking you it makes it pretty impossible not to get hit or injured to the point where it takes you forever to recover. To sum it up, in my opinion this game makes smackdown:know your role title seem like a 5 star in comparison, and i think im being pretty generous when i say that lol. The only reason why im giving this two stars is because of the create and tournament mode. These are about the only things this game truly has going for it; or if you like hearing the same s**tty commercial rock played over and over again in the menus til you wanna puke, thats up to you. I'm glad i decided to rent this one before i thought to buy it. If you really want to play a fun and easy to digest wrestling game, Id highly recommend sticking with the older titles. You would be much better off.
  
  

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