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SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 Impressions

So we’re coming up on another holiday season which always means big games being released in a small timeframe. This also usually means that a gamer’s wallet is running pretty empty during this period, which is exactly why it is our responsibility to go to events like the Sony Holiday Preview event and let you know which games should make it into your budget planning.

While at the event, Our faithful Editor-in-Chief and I had the chance to try many of the games that will make it into our living rooms in the coming months. There was a tonne of great games to play, but there was one that surprised me more than just a little: WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009.

To set the backdrop, I was a HUGE fan of wrestling games growing up. The pseudo-sport has always been one of my guilty pleasures, and I always had to play the newest wrestler whether it was good or bad. Truth be told however, wrestling games and I have had a falling out over the past few years, and so you may understand why I was surprised when I sat down and got some hands-on time with the 2009 edition of SmackDown vs. Raw.

As I mentioned, I hadn’t played in a few years, so when I grabbed the controller and was thrown right into a tag team match I was a little worried that my skills had gathered a thick coat of rust. To my amazement this wasn’t the case, and as the rep was trying to explain how the intricacies of the new tag team gameplay enhancements worked, I was in the midst of delivering an first rate in-ring ass-whooping. When I finally settled myself, I did find a lot of great new tag team mechanics to enjoy. Instead of just waiting by the ropes to be tagged, the non-active player now has the freedom to do things like pull the ropes down, grab someone on the inside to set them up for some of the fantastic double-team manoeuvres, or taunt and cheer till their heart’s content. These additions are a welcome change, as I almost never played these types of games solo. It was always about destroying the competition with a friend for me.

Next up was a one-on-one match, me against the rep. At this point, I was able to see some of the great real-time entrances, which wowed me. It was scary how close to their real-life counterpart the character models were. As the opening bell rang, I think I surprised everyone when I came out of the gate relentlessly beating on the poor guy who was teaching Shaun and I how to play the game. All he could do was watch and be embarrassed while I piloted The Legend Killer Randy Orton to an easy victory over John Cena. Gameplay just seemed to flow so nicely, much better than the last time I had tried my hand at a wrestling game, a great surprise for someone who remembers the series getting a little too complicated for what it was.

Finally, we took a look at the huge number of game types that will be brought to the table. Literally any type of match that has ever taken place in the WWE can be played here, even the fairly new Inferno match which I’m ashamed to say I wasn’t all that familiar with. I didn’t get to see it but an extremely detailed create a finishing move will be available, as will a deep story mode for those who like their brawling solo.

I came away from my extensive time with SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 wanting more. Look for more coverage as we near its November 9th release.

Posted in Canada, Events, Features, PlayStation 3 |