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Fans of sweaty men and women fake hurting each other can finally get their hands on THQ’s latest edition of the most popular wrestling franchise this side of the squared-circle.  WWE Smackdown VS Raw 2009 has brought the focus back to Tag Team action, a brand new match type, the most detailed wrestler creator to date, and downloadable content.  Is this just a mere update or has the franchise been rejuvenated like a “face” seeking the crowds uproar to make his/her comeback?

The Next Big Thing

WWE’s recent push to enhance a stale Tag Team division has carried over to the virtual world.  The gameplay mechanics for Tag matches have been modified. Everything you expect from the entrances to double team moves is available.  Your partner does not stand there bored out of his mind while you carry the entire match.  He will distract the referee, run in to break the three count, pull the rope down when your opponent is running towards it, and even hit your opponent’s partner when you are about to make the cover.  For all you Miz and Morrison fans out there, you can play the heel role pretty well with all the mayhem you can cause.  Tag Team matches are definitely fun to play this year and the double team finishers are always exciting to watch. 

Another major addition to the franchise is the Inferno Match.  Players must increase the temperature of the flames by performing moves. The higher the impact, the hotter it gets.  When the in-ring temperature reaches 500 Degrees Fahrenheit, you can burn your opponent to a crisp ala Kane.  2009 also brings back Gauntlet Matches and Backstage Brawls. Unfortunately the game does not feature the Lumberjack Match or the Casket match, maybe next year “WWE Universe”. But everything from last year’s version makes its return with slight improvements and let’s not forget about the online play.

King of the Mountain

SVR 2009 has revamped the 24/7 mode into the all new Road to Wreslemania.  Players have the choice of five different wrestler storylines.  You can follow Triple H, The Undertaker, CM Punk, John Cena, Chris Jericho, as well as a cooperative story featuring Batista and Rey Mysterio in a long grueling schedule that leads to the grand daddy of them all.  The story is very well written and Road to Wrestlemania features authentic voice work.  As you progress through this mode, you will unlock wrestlers, alternate outfits, and other hidden items. This has to be one of the most entertaining wrestling games since THQ’s takeover of the WWE license. 

The career more has been modified completely.  Unlike Road to Wrestlemania, career mode will allow players to choose any wrestler, including their newly created ones.  The goal is to take your superstar and fight up the ladder, collecting every belt available from each brand.  As you continue up the ranks, your stats and your abilities will increase thus causing more damage to your opponents.   The higher the cards the more match types are unlocked as well.  There is no story in this mode, which is a bit of a downer. 

All Out Action

In regards to gameplay, everything remains the same, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.  Why break a working formula?  You can run, strike, grapple, tag, taunt, and use the ring along with the environment to your advantage.  There are only a few new changes that have been implemented to the system. One is the previously noted Tag Team gameplay.  Another addition is the signature moves, which provides each superstar with their own unique move to go along with the two finishing maneuvers. 

The last notable change is the auto targeting system.  Choosing who to strike in a 4-way dance or royal rumble match has always been somewhat troublesome.  In previous editions, players would have to press a button to switch targets.  This year’s version has dropped that for a new auto targeting system.  The new auto targeting system is a little bit of a disappointment.  The system is very flawed and does not work that well.  Even if you run towards your intended opponent, you end up attacking somebody else. 

New Superstar Initiative

The Smackdown VS Raw franchise has undoubtedly the best create a character mode in all of gaming and 2009 brings more to the table.  The Create-A-Superstar mode features a ridiculous amount of wrestling attire, color options, accessories, and body morphing to help recreate any whacky TV personality, superhero, past WWE legends, and everything in between.   Yes, even past rating drawing mat technicians such as Mantaur, Giant Gonzalez, and Bastion Booger can be relived in all their obscure glory. 

The creation process does not end there, you can fully customize your entrances from music, fan signage, all the way to how you strut down the isle and profile just like “Natche”.  Other options include the ability to edit rosters for the ECW, RAW, and Smackdown brands as well as create tag team stables.  If you are diehard wrestling fan, this will help you keep up with the ever changing rosters and storylines. 

The biggest feature in player customization is the ability to create your own finishing move.  The create-a-finisher provides you with an abundance of animations that interlink with each other to perform a brand new signature slam or submission.  After all is said and done, you will be given the opportunity to name your new move and assign it to a created wrestler or any of the WWE superstars.  This is a very innovative feature and even though it’s not that deep yet, it’s a welcome edition to the series. 

Stylin and Profilin'

The game features one of the biggest rosters ever.  Talent from ECW, Raw, and Smackdown are represented well from the high flying risk taker Jeff Hardy all the way to the Glamazon Beth Phoenix.  There are a few people on the roster that have been released by the WWE way before the game’s release; Big Daddy V, Lance Cade, and Paul London I’m looking at you.   But for the first time ever, Smackdown VS Raw will be offering downloadable wrestlers, alternate outfits to maintain, and other updates to keep the game fresh and up to date with the WWE. 

The presentation is solid. The graphics is a bit shinier and the wrestlers sweat profusely.  The crowd graphics and animations, though slightly improved, is still far away from being that of NBA 2K9.  The entrances are up to date, with long struts, fireworks, and those good ol WWE themes.  Each brand has their own commentating team as well, just like the real life counterpart.  However, the announcing gets very repetitive and their “witty” one liners age faster than HBK’s hairline.  Loading times are still a bit of an issue and there a few glitches, most notably when a wrestlers’ body part seeps through the mat.  The collision detection is also far from perfect, especially when running or attempting to do a move on an opponent picking himself up. 

The Lo-Down

There are many things to like about Smackdown VS Raw 2009.  Instead of just doing the occasional roster and storyline update while polishing some of the modes, Yukes introduced a lot of new features.  Road to Wrestlemania, Create-A-Finisher Mode, Inferno Match, Roster Editor, and downloadable content are all a great addition to the THQ franchise.  Everything from last year from graphics to gameplay has been polished and upgraded.  The roster is as big as ever with downloadable wrestlers coming your way.  However a few of last year’s flaws are evident in SVR 2009.  Loading times are still a bit too long, the commentary gets very repetitive, the crowds still look a little pixilated, and there are a few notable glitches and collision detection issues.  Though it’s not a masterpiece by any means, fans of fighting games and wrestling alike will be satisfied with depth and entertainment that Smackdown VS Raw 2009 brings to the tables, ladders, or chairs. 

Article written by: Albert Iskander