Smackdown Vs Raw 2007 like the commercial say you dont just play it you live it and what a way to live.
I tell you what your going to love it. In many ways S vs R 07 has improved over last years and in a slight few areas it has not, but for the most part its still a fabulous game. Assuming you like wrestling in the first place WWE's Strangle hold on the market should come as no suprise and the roster this year is great, much better than last year albiet they left a few superstars out ( Jake and Ted dibase last year and not here this year?) The roster this year is quite great and looking at the real life roster its no wonder. DX is back together, King booker reigns supreme, The Animal Batista is back, Team Extreme is reunited, The game comes well prepared for you to put together almost any tandem youd like. Lets start with gameplay. This year its tough to get use to, but its great once you have the new anolog system is useful and doesnt appear gimmicky or ever leaves you flat. The matches flow somewhat like real matches. Although I do like that last year your stamina was done with the select button. I must admit it is hard to lift or drag someone with the R3 button. Other than those things the system works out fine as you can now adjust and modify some of your move on the fly keeping your matches even more fresh and varied than before. Slingshot suplexes, fist strikes to the face, and walking and or running powerslams are all done beautifully with the right anolog stick. The hotspots are great, but some may never use them depending on what match types you like. I have to comment on the new ladder match controls. While the overall use of ladder are great the way in which you retrive your prize wither it be belt or briefcase is lame. You could jerk that thing all day and be pounding your opponent and wham one wrong move and your opponent could be at the top of the ladder reaping your rewards from a worn down meter. Which sucks and has had me screaming at the game in disgust (which is kinda good seeing as how I havent been made to do it in a long time) Still it sucks for you if youve done all that hard work just to fall or be pushed one good time.
Graphics-- Wonderful, For a PS2 game these, absolutely wonderful. Not much different than last years which was also great. All the moves are rendered well..I dont get the same clipping issues that GS talks about, the colision detection is off but no more than usual. The rings are great the announce area is great, the only bad part would be the fans, but who cares. There is one minor thing I wish they would have continued and thats the way the finishers were presented last year in slow motion grey screen which was really cool. It gave you that Oh crap feeling. Overall the graphics are just great.
The music -- This is always a mixed bag as usually these games are limited to theme music and sound effect coupled with commentation. The Menu music is good and doubles as entrance music for CAW's. Your fav themse and not so fav themes are all there too. The Commentation kinda no different than last year. Although you will catch the announcers comment on people who are in no way involved with your current match for no reason. Oh and why is Taz still calling the Action for smackdown as he departed like six months ago. The sound dept will leave you wanting somewhat and is the weakest area. Altough in season it becomes a strong suit as the sheer number of lines and situations spoken is staggering and very funny at times. Last years season lines were funnier, but this years situations lend more depth.
The Season-- Incredible depth, varied, and worth every minute. Different wrestlers have diffrent stories. For each story a different outcome depending on wether you win or lose. From comical situations like the boogeyman and edge teaming up to dealing with the legends. The replay value really sky rockets here. Although I think they could hav put more matches around the ones you have like they use to. When its all said and done its well worth your time to play the season mode.
The replay value on this sucker goes on for days wether your doing multiplayer elements, the excellent season mode, the challenge mode in the locker room, or just unlocking things in the shopzone its a wonderful ride and should be enjoyed by any WWE fan. Continue the great job Yukes... PEACE all.