"I expected more from the videogame"
First all, the system control is interesting but very difficult for learn it. Even if changing the A.I options is very hard control the wrestler and apply the grapples moves from one style and another.
I could kept the old control system (O bottom + up, down, lef, right) for experiment the game with the classic control style like "WWE SmackDown! vs Raw 2006 and 2007).
Secondly, the new Fight/Wrestling Styles isn't bad but limites the moveset of wrestler, specially if we have a created wrestler. I'm not understand the specials moves/abilities from every fighting system.
Those "abilities" can execute like a grapple move only push the correct botton combination but in this edition you need a fight style icon o be in a concrete situation. Very Poor.
Following, the roster from edition is very short. Stay the top superstars (HBK, HHH, Undertaker, Batista, Orton, Cena, Edge, Jeff Hardy, Mysterio) and the "second level" superstars (King Booker, Lashley, Finlay, Matt Hardy, Kane, Kennedy and many more), the divas group, the ECW Brand and the legends roster.
Sounds great but the roster is shorter in comparation with 2006 and 2007 rosters that arrived to 60 superstars. And this year the roster arrives to the same number like the first "WWE SmackDown! vs Raw". Why not added some superstars like Rob Van Dam, Eddie Guerrero (RIP) Shelton Benjamin, Charlie Haas, Lance Cade, Trevor Murdoch, The Miz, Big Daddy V and many others?
Next is the new 24/7 Mode that unites Season and General Manager modes. The objective is become a WWE Legend and be inductied in the Hall of Fame of the WWE.The Season Mode from this year is very, very longer. Specially if you play with a created wrestler. But calm, we can skip the dates in the calendary and only play in the WWE Shows (SD!, Raw, ECW) or in the PPV's.
The only hitch of the Season Mode is the activities and ability training. Is a time waste but already is important to increase abilities points us. I prefer the past Season Modes with this interesting storylines or incluse the Season Mode from "WWE SmackDown!: Here Comes the Pain" videogame.
Next point is the "Tournament mode". Here I very happy because THQ add the greatest wrestling tournament in WWE, the King of the Ring.
You can play the tournament and put a WWE Championship in the line or a created WWE Championship. Very Great! And secondly, the famous SmackDown! "Beat the Clock" is added in this game mode. Very Good.
From the others Tournament modes, I quit off from the game because are innecesary. with the KOTR and Beat the Clock modes the game can be selfsufficient.
Last, a thing that isn't very important in a videogame is the language. I from Barcelona, Spain, and the game have translated to spanish. I enjoy playing videogames but if a videogame, from my position, isn't perfect because the translation programmer haven't idea of translation. I play with the English language in some of my games for the translation errors. I hope that next SmackDown! game the translation will be better and the possibility to play in a different language.
Good Points
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- Create a Superstar (is the biggest point of the SD! games)
- King of the Ring and Beat the Clock modes added
Bad Points
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- 24/7 mode: Season Mode. It's very longer and left over some options.
- Hall of Fame mode.
- Tournament mode innecessary except KOTR and Beat the Clock.
- Grapple System and Control System
- Fight/Wrestling styles.
- Short WWE Roster. Misses some wrestlers.
- Wrestlers entrances. I forgive comment in the expanded review but the camera is innestable in some points. The entrances are good but miss something points like Edge wear his Leather Coat when comes to the ring.
- Main Menú.
- WWE Shop. Short stock for buy. The worst WWE Shop of the SD! Games.
- Wrestler selection screen. I prefer the 3D models and not the semi 3D-real portraits. Are ridiculous.
- Loading Screens. I prefer the superstars loading screens of past years and not the biography of every wrestler. If Maria isn't in the roster, why is she doing in the the loading screens.
- In the spanish version, the translation.
Missed Points
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- Classic system and grapple controls.
- Challenge Mode.
- Superstars.
- Exhibition mode matches (fullfill your Fantasy, Lumberjack, Bra and Panties, Backstage Brawl...)
- Stock from WWE Shop.
- Create a PPV.
- Online Mode.
- 3D personalizable Locker Room.
- Language selection.