Now that I've had a chance to play . . .

[ringsyde]

. . . .the ne Smackdown versus Raw 2006 for PS2, I feel very comfortable with my final opinion and rating of the game. I'm curious if anyone else has played and what your thoughts on the finished product are. I wont make my normal bold statement just yet.

I will say that THQ's suggestion that Smackdown will soon be released on all systems (ala Madden football - Yukes and THQ want this to be the Madden of wrestling games) and their hint-dropping about an NJPW game for the X Box 360 (Yukes just bought the fed, and THQ is looking to cash in) are even more intriguing when taken with the quality of this game.

[thefamoustommyz]

So...it IS good?

[Big Bri]

I was hoping you WOULD make a bold statement here Rings. I have a big paper to write for school, so after I finish that (hopefully by this weekend), I'm going to reward myself by picking it up as well as start playing my EC fed again (been on a 3 week break).

So don't hold back. Let us know what's up...

[ringsyde]

In the words of Ron Burgandy . . . .

. . . . It's outta sight, my man!!

This game has ended any scehdule, regiment or plan of action I have for the next few days.

My only gripe so far is that you apparently have to get the PSP version and beat career mode, then copy it to a PS2 memory card to get Jake Roberts (too much work and a whole lot of B.S. for those who don't own a PSP). Otherwise, this is hands down the best wrestling game to come out in five years!!

Need a more bold statement? If I had to choose between the new Smackdown and the X Box 360 (and those of you who read my videogame posts know my opinion on that machine well), I'd likely choose this game.

[canadianpittbull]

Yeah I started playing the game yesterday and it is really good. I noticed that PSP bit with Jake and think that is the weakest attempt and lamest of lame ideas at trying to get people to buy your hand held. I hope that maybe there is a timed feature on Jake and that maybe in a year he will just unlock!

[kaz]

Do what? That is just F'N stupid.

[Shon Maxx]

How's the AI? It was absolutely horrible in the previous game. I created 2 submission wrestlers (all ground/submission styles, low taunt, and low turnbuckle climbing)...but the entire match, they kept climbing the turnbuckle...and taunting!

Also, how's the aiming? Last game also made that part horrible. Someone could smash you with a chair and you'd still be looking at the referee!

I just picked up Sw Battlefront 2 so I'd have to sell back a couple of games to get svr2.

Thanks for the quick review, though, RingYde, and any other info you could volunteer would be appreciated.

Take care,

Jay

[ringsyde]

Here's a perfect example of the AI

CARLITO versus HOGAN for the Intercontinental title:
Hogan slaps Carlito around the ring for the better part of five minutes. Carlito senses Hogan's stamina depletion (you either need to be inactive or hold the "select" button until the stamina bar replinishes, otherwise your stamina drains). Carltio launches a mad comeback attack - until Hogan starts to Hulk up (this is the God's honest truth), wave the finger and block Carlito's punch. Hogan decks him, the finisher icon buzzes, and Carlito . . . slides out of the ring and walks around until Hogan's momentum subsides!!

Even more impressive, Carlito, sensing his reign about to end, later goes for the DQ by bringing a chair into the ring and blasting me with it!!

Of all the matches I had lastnight (I have PS2 controller blisters - what's that tell you?), the best was Charlie Haas versus Chris Masters. Haas would actually try to out-power Masters when Masters' stamina was low, then he'd switch to holds and submissions to drain the restored stamina.

Finally, after a 20 minute (real time!!) match (with excellent commentary by JR and the King, by the way), Haas popped an Exploder that Masters was too tired to escape from due to the numerous running clotheslines I laid on earlier and because Haas used a series of headlocks to get some rest and restore his stamina.

This game is God's gift to wrestling fans (the Jake Roberts BS notwithstanding), and I will truly have to be convinced of otherwise. The AI is spot on, and the momentum shifts make sense.

NOTE: I have not yet begun a career or GM mode, so my impression may change if I notice something therein. That said, this game is light years ahead of every wrestling game on the market this side of FirePro.

NOTE#2: Check out the sample created characters. Aside from being infinately better than previous sample characters, the guys there are almost perfect representations of Brock Lesnar, Daniel Puder, Molly Holly and other recent stars.

NOTE #3: did I mention this game is fan-frickin-tastic?!!

[canadianpittbull]

Here are some spoilers from when I played Hogan in season mode and is well is was rather um....


There is a point where Undertaker starts taking out a few wrestlers and some think that Hogan is controlling the UNdertaker. Later on it is revealed that Eddie Guerrero has Takers urn and is using Taker to win his matches. At one of the PPV's I end up having to fight Taker in a Buried Alive match. At the end of it after I won....Eddie comes over to the casket and it opens and Taker chokeslams Eddie into the casket and slams the coffin shut!

In lieu of this weeks past events I just cringed at the imagery. With Eddie's passing so fresh in ones mind and then to see this was rather disturbing. I kinda watched uncomfortably and then Hogan gives Taker the urn so that he can have his own free will. Still I think had the sudden loss of Eddie not happened this imagery would not have had the impact it has had. I wonder if that is something that might be taken out of future copies? Consider being in Eddie's family and seeing that storyline footage hit the screen, yikes!

As far as the aiming thing it is still annoying as I lost 4 matches due to being targeted on the ref! But they give you 3 choices for your aiming annoyance.

The Ai can be changed and modified to your likes or dislikes and is rather indepth.

I have been running through the GM mode and it is pretty interesting and neat. I went through Season mode with Hogan and only made it to Royal Rumble and got screwed and that ended my season so going to go through with Austin next. Don't want to give anything away but this is definately No Mercy worthy as far as the WWE THQ franchise.

[lordrahl]

Well, you guys sold me! I'm putting on my shoes and out the door! I'll play it for awhile and post my thoughts.(If I'm not too drunk, I like to drink Vodka when I play video games)

Keep the Faith

[ringsyde]

Vodka?!!

Well, as long as you go get the game, drink whatever you like. I think you'll have a really good time.

Just wait until you're sober to post a response.

[neil]

drink it at home buddy.

[Shon Maxx]

I just picked it up today (sold a few games to do so). So far, not bad. I'm watching 2 CAW's I created go at it in an US match (Throen from Egypt and Dan Severn). So far, a good match. They're actually doing what they're supposed to!

take care,

Jay

[thefamoustommyz]

neil said:

drink it at home buddy.

Best.

Post.

Ever.

[lordrahl]

I almost always drink at home and if I don't I have a driver. I don't drive at all because I like to have a little too much fun. I had a 3 hour walk to go get SDvR2k6(there and back). I don't play my video games much so when I do I take a shot for a win.(kids don't try this at home, unless you're 21)

Anyways, this game rocks! In my first match I used Hassan vs. Triple H. I was beating him down, but forgot about the new stamina feature(I didn't have a drink yet for those of you who are wondering). HHH killed me because I was so low on stamina and he wouldn't let up. I felt like I was actually watching a match! I then started a season with Hassan, very, very fun! I'm so glad than Muhammad was included in the game(mark!). Only 2 complaints are, I unlocked Andre and fought vs. Benoit and was hit with the triple germans? C'mon, no way! Engine still needs work for huge characters. The new mo-meter is better than any of the previous games, but I hate the fact that reversals happen every other move. Still, besides it's flaws it's one of the best wrestling games in years!

RingsYde and nhl thanx for the concern and caring! Time for more wrestling and Vodka!(Remember only drink if you're 21 or older and if you're not going to be behind the wheel!)

Keep the Faith, Lose the Hate

[gamemaster]

I am a open hater of the Smackdown series and diehard No Mercy fan but this game has so much in it that makes it pretty fun. I agree it kinda feels like your watching a show and not playing but its still pretty fun. It reminds me of a wrestling mario party because everything u do is a little mini game. Submissions, the opening taunts, and special matches all have different things for you to press. Its n where near as slow or deep as the aki games but its still pretty cool. The gm mode alone is worth picking this up for. You get to draft your entire roster by taking turns and you have a budget of how much money you can spend on superstars.You then book each week and pay-per-views. Playing enough GWF this is no problem at all and I watched my show like it was the Raw of my dreams. The best part is the Ross report that gives you your shows ratings, highlights, and comparisons to the other show. Kinda like a franchise mode but with wrestling.

[gamemaster]

About the Jake Roberts psp thing you shoud go to gamefaqs because there seems to be a way to unlock him in the gm mode but some people say its fake. I dont know for sure because I just got it yesterday and have not tried. Its in the codes and secrets section though. The message boered was pretty funny though because half of the people say its real and the other half cant get it to work.Theres like 36 pages of arguement.

[Big Bri]

I saw it in Blockbuster last night up for rent already, so I looked at the back cover. I had no idea they were putting a GM mode in. That's awesome. Since I create all the COTG guys on the SD games anyway, I can run my fed visually (and see how much money I can make!) as well as rolling the dice.

I hope I get this stupid paper done soon so I can go get this thing!

[Talison]

Was playing last night. I was Chris Masters against the incomperable Nature Boy Ric Flair (as JR would say). I owned the match from the outset, useing power moves and strikes to ware Flair down. But this game is just to realistic. Cause no matter how hard I beat and bloodied him, Flair wouldn't stay down. He kicked out of everything. He survived the Masterlock 3 times. He also survived several attempts in the new sleeperhold system and a couple of bear hugs. Flair's damage was red everywhere, but he wouldn't give in. And every so often he hit a eye poke or low blow and managed to mount an offence for a bit.

Finally after 20 minutes I uncerimoniously pinned Flair after we both basically were unable to regain any stamina and my power won out.

I personally was exhausted and my fingers were sore. Man this game is great.

[canadianpittbull]

As far as the Jake The Snake bit in the GM mode I am close to my second year so if he is in there I will grab him up and see what happens. I really hope this is true.