A huge step from the previous Smackdown games
User Rating: 9.6 | Exciting Pro Wrestling 5 (Limited Edition) PS2
WWE Smackdown: Here Comes the Pain delivers yet another exciting and fun-filled wrestling game. It has come a long way from SYM with a lot of improvements and new content. However, like any other game there are flaws that THQ should take account for. Among the vast improvements is the grappling system. THQ developed a rather remarkable grappling system that allows a player 16 different grapples to choose from, compared to SYM's 12. In this game, the grappling system is a two step process rather than one. Each directional button with circle initiates a grapple type. There are 4 types in all, which include signature, submission, power, and quick. The style that the wrestler grapples the opponent with is nicely animated and more realistic than previous games. Also, the fact that each wrestler has signature grapples and signature styles of moves adds more uniqueness to the character, giving each character a diverse style, rather than just a character with most of the same moves like everyone else. For instance, Goldberg may do his suplex a differently than brock lesnar. Such factors like these spice up the game's variety. The next addition is match types. The elimination chamber and bra and panties have been added to the game. The elimination chamber is very similar to the real thing. The chambers themselves are interactive, allowing players to break the glass and climb them to do various arial moves. The chamber looks identical to the real life one. It would also be nice to break the opponent through glass in other ways rather than just irish whipping them into it. Overall, the elimination chamber delivers everything THQ said it would so I am generally satisfied with it. The bra and panties match is not as great as it is hyped up to be, it is mainly a sex factor used to attract the male audience into the game. It is worth checking out, but it's nothing worth talking about. Also, THQ finally made many people's dream come true, by allowing a triple threat tornado tag ladder match. This match type allows 3 tag teams all at once in a ladder match, very similar to wrestlemania's tlc match. It is definitely the funnest type of the ladder matches. Finally, the triple threat matches and fatal four ways allow players to go outside the ring. SYM made all the action in the ring. However, 5 way and 6 way battle royals still do not allow the player to exit the ring. The next improvement is the season mode. Though it only lasts one year, it has original and classic storylines that really make the game original and diversified. From DX reforming to Shawn Michaels sky rider entrance, the storylines definitely make the season mode the best so far any wrestling game of recent years. The next big thing is the roster. HBK, Austin, Steiner, Batista, Nash, Goldberg, all in the same game. People used to dream of a game with such magnitude, now those dreams have become reality. The top talent of the WWE are all in what could be the greatest selection of wrestlers of all time. Each wrestler is up to date with gimmicks and all. Gameplay has improved significantly, The damage system allows a player to concentrate on certain parts of the body, causing the opponent to be weak in a certain area after taking damage in that area. Also, a new weight detection system has been added to provide a more realistic atmosphere. No more Mysterio chokeslamming Big Show. Finally, a new edition to the game is blood. This is the first smackdown game to feature blood, and boy was it worth the wait. The blood is very convincing. It generally takes a while for the wrestler to bleed, but the fun begins when they do. Blood runs down the face convincingly and it also splatters when hit again with a chair, etc. Blood also makes way for a new match type, first blood. Overall, the blood looks great. I must now move onto flaws. The first is repetition. Moves with the ladder and table and other weapons are 100% identical to those of SYM. It is nice to see new things added on these aspects. All grapples from the ladder are the same. No new moves have been added. Also, the CAW is basically the exact same thing. Actually, it has fallen short for the most part. With only 3 new original entrance themes and missing entrance moves, all the parts are the same, with some even missing. The engine works the same and morphing and building is exactly like SYM. Overall, the CAW is just not groundbreaking like it should have been. The next con is the entrances. They are simply not long enough. Some entrances need to be extended. And most of all the entrance themes need to be of their entirety, rather than just being cut off. Though they are little longer than SYM, they are simply not long enough. The final problem of the game is the legends. Don't get me wrong, the idea of legends is remarkable. But that's just have the deal, the other half is fulfilling such a job. The roster is horrible. No hogan, no warrior, no bret, instead we get george steele and hillbilly jim. I know what you're saying, who? What an insult to the wrestling world to have a legends roster without hogan or warrior, I mean come on. And worst of all, the do not have their original themes or entrance moves. Part of what made most wrestlers legends was their awesome entrances. Overall, the game met most of my expectations. Once again the game came a long way from SYM. It has new wrestlers, blood, new match types, better season, and a new grappling system. However it has too much repetition and flaws. It is definitely worth buying, but THQ needs to wise up with the next Smackdown. 
