WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2007 manages to get many things right, but also screws up some of the better ones.
Then there were a lot of expectations from the next in the series, and fortunately, it isnt a dissapointment. It boasts an all new analog control scheme, enviromental hotspots, a better season mode, and an overwhelming create-an-entrance.
PROS
- An all new analog scheme adds more ways to batter the opponent, though it takes time to master
- Environmental hotspots and the new crowd area makes matches more lively and dynamic.
- The all new create an entrance mode gives you many advanced options to create your fully customized entrance, allowing you to choose when fireworks and name plates appear. Also, it cuts off the loading time to preview the entrance by making it play in the background.
- Season mode has been enhanced with more storylines compared to last year's more linear ones, and allows voice mails and checking the website out.
- Killer soundtrack. Though different form last year, the hard rock theme really puts the feeling into the game featuring tracks by Nonpoint, Godsmack and Black Stone Cherry.
- Other additions like an 3d locker room, money in the bank match, and an improved create a wrestler mode.
CONS
- Perhaps the biggest dissapointment comes with the new General Manager mode. Though its is not without new additions like storylines, getting superstars into Heat and Velocity, and better promos, the actual gameplay is a step backwards. The presentation is below average for eg. in SVR 06 gm mode, while choosing superstars for a match one could actually see his pic, popularity, overall, and if he is used in another match or not. Here, its just bland list of player unless you click on 'info'. The rivalries are a pain to manage, and the match types like special referee are missing. One will get bored out of it in a couple hours, and will probably revert to last year's one.
- Loading times kill. This time, just like the psp version of SVR 06, the loading time has increased like anything. Any basic matchup takes 20 secs of one loading screen, and at time, it loads another one. This really tests your patience and perhaps takes the excitement out.
- A number of graphical glitches and bugs in character models and matched mar the visual experience.
- Out of date roster makes the game feel dated. Stars like Eugene and Paul London are out of the game, and King Booker is still Booker T, and some stars like Mark Henry and Kurt Angle not there anymore still remain.
- Weak and sometimes wrong commentary. Line used are identical to SVR 2006 but this time, errors are made. eg. in a John Cena and Kane match, Tazz starts talking about JBL, and when Kane does a Chokeslam, he screams 'Crippler Crossface!'.
FINAL VERDICT
WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2007 is a very enjoyable wrestling game on consoles, but missing elements exist and things need to be more polished to make the most out of this immensely popular wrestling franchise.