Matches are great but the lack of Match types and game modes is dissapointing
From the moment this game was announced for the Wii I was excited. Just thinking about pulling off moves using the Wii remote was cool. It just seemed to get better and better... until it was released. From then on it just got blasted for a lack of match types, hardly any replayability and simple gameplay.
I decided to get it anyway and while it does lack a lot of stuff, it's still a great game.
First off, yes, there are only 5 match types, Single, Hardcore, Tag Team, Triple Threat and Knock Out. There's also only 3 gameplay modes, Exhibition, Main Event and Tournament. All the match types are pretty self explanatory if you know even the basics of wrestling. One thing I will say about the Hardcore match though, which is something you've probably heard anyway is that the only weapons avilable are two steel chairs. This doesn't present much variety but if you use you imagination - and the announce tables - you can do some pretty entertaining matches. Really, the only way you can fully enjoy this game is by making the most out of what little you have.
So, Exhibition gives you the option to play from any of these match types and lets you use any match modifiers made in the options menu, like having rope breaks, give ups and K.O.'s on or off. You can also choose from a wide range of different arenas to fight in. These include the standard Smackdown, Raw and ECW arenas, PPV arenas for each brand as well as arenas for the smaller shows like Heat.
In Main Event mode you pick a wrestler - either from the original roster or from created wrestlers - and fight your way from Jobber to Main Eventer. You pick the show you want to start on and whether you are a good guy or bad guy and compete in your first match. After this match, whether you win or lose, you'll have the ability to increase your stats, get massages - which will boost your stamina - and set up matches.
There's a decent variety of things you can do when it comes to matches. Each week you be challenged by other wrestlers. You can choose to accept these challenges or offer a challenge to another wrestler. Yoo're also able to set up Triple Threat and Tag matches. If you compete in a few Tag matches using the same partner you can form an alliance which will let you wrestle for the Tag Team Championships once you reach a certain rating. If you fight any one wrestler multiple times you will begin a feud with him. This means that you'll get challenged by this particular wrestler more than others.
Overall, the Main Event mode is put together pretty well and doesn't really get repetitive, as long as you vary your opponents and matches.
The main benefit of Main Event mode is unlocking other wrestlers and arenas but it's also the onlyway to get your created wrestlers stats up.
Tournament mode is decent enough although I haven't played it much. You have the basic single elimination tournaments where you fight various opponents in different rounds. If you lose a match you are eliminated from the tournament. If you win you advance to the next round.
There is also a beat the clock tournament. In this you must beat your opponent faster than other wrestlers beat their opponents. If you beat the time limit, you advance, if not, you are eliminated.
Aside from these modes there is also a surprisingly good create a wrestler mode. Here you can create your own original Wrestler or Diva or make real life wrestlers who aren't in the game. The CAW system is similar to previous installments although it seems less complex this time around but still retains the depth and customisation options to create great looking CAWs. The only complaint I have with the CAW mode is the lack of good hair styles. Apart from that it's pretty much perfect.
Another mode is the Create a Move set, which is incredibly simple and quick this year - on the Wii atleast - due to the Wii version having stripped down movestes. Here you pick an overall fighting style, like Technical, Brawler, Striker, etc, Then pick Signature moves, finishers and taunts and that's it, it's done. While I'm a little annoyed that the wrestlers have smaller movesets in the Wii version, I'm also glad because now it doesn't take forever to make a decent moveset for your own created wresler. You can also customise the moves of the wrestlers already in the game which is a decent feature, although it's been in pretty much every other Smackdown game.
Now on to the actual matches. When you first start playing you'll probably be surprised at how simple everything is compared to 2006 or 2007. In fact, The matches play out in a similar fashion to the original Smackdown game. That's not a bad thing really, it just takes some getting used to. If you want to win as quick as possible and you're fairly used to the controls it shouldn't take more that around 45 seconds to win a match. Basically, each wrestler has a sort of energy bar similar to a lot of fighting games. The more damage you take, the shorter the bar gets and it changes colour from blue to yellow, to red until it's eventually flashing red. When it's flashing, you're pretty much one move away from getting pinned unless you get real lucky and hit a couple of moves and build your energy back up by taunting your opponent.
As you might expect, punches and kicks are done by swinging or just flicking the Wii remote in different directions. Swinging the remote while standing away from you opponent will do a running strike, or a running grapple can be done by holding the A or B button. To perform basic grapples, like arm drags and headlock takedowns, just hold down the A button while swinging. Holding down the B button while swinging let's you do interactive grapples. For example, If you held the B button and swung left, you'd lift your opponent in to a suplex position. From here you can walk around the ring for a small amount of time and you're given a choice of directions to swing the remote to perform different moves. So if you swing down you'll do a vertical suplex, if you swing right you'll do a front face suplex. These interactive grapples work for a bunch of different situations like Powerbombs, Backbreakers, DDTs and others.
Each wrestler has signature moves for different situations, too. Holding both A and B while swinging the remote pulls off these moves.
There are various situations for these signature moves like standing, ground, turnbuckle, running and flying.
Swinging the remote while holding A and B also lets you do your finisher. Each wrestler has two finishers which can only be done when your stamina meter is flashing.
other moves like regular flying moves, springboard moves and ground attacks are done by swinging the remote.
One of the best control features is the taunting. Pressing the C button will set your wrestler up for his taunt. All you do then is hold C while moving the Wii remote and/or Nunchuck in the correct way. For example, to do Triple H's "Suck it" taunt, just hold C and do a crotch chop. With the Sandman you'd just Hold C and raise the Wii remote. Some taunts are a little awkard to pull off but are great to do while you're against another player rather than a CPU opponent.
There are certain environment grapples which are done by holding B and swing the Wii remote when in a certain Hotspot. These include ring ropes, Announce tables, Steel Steps and the Barricades at ringside.
As well as taunts, the Nunchuck is used for picking an opponent up from the ground and doing an Irish whip. The control stick on the Nunchuck is used for moving and the Z button is to drop Items and pin your opponent. The control stick is also used for picking up chairs, leaving and entering the ring and climbing the turnbuckles as you simply walk in to the Items and areas instead of pressing a button.
When it comes to graphics, the game is a mixed bag. The wrestlers themselves look great, overall the arenas are decent but the crowd looks like crap. Overall the game seems on par with the PS2 version although with a clearer picture, especially when using component cables.
The overall presentation is great. Menus are simpler and more vibrant than on the other versions. The animations are pretty decent although some Interactive Grapples can look a little twitchy.
The sound is also hit an miss. The soundtrack is pretty crappy although it depends on what music you like. If you're in to generally cliche'd, commerical rock you'll love it but it's really not my thing. Commentary is also pretty rubbish. A lot of it is recycled from previous games and some of the lines are the same as previous games but said by someone else which is annoying especially when it sounds even worse than the original. The effects are great though and seem to have more of an impact than in some of the previous games.
Overall, while Smackdown vs Raw 2008 does lack a lot of stuff, there is a lot of fun to be had with what's there. The Main Event mode is a great feature that, while being simple provides a good challenge. The controls work well although the nunchuck could've been implemented better. The sound could've been a lot better as well but you can always turn the music off. If you hate the idea of 5 match types and a lack of modes overall, then stay away. If you want a more involving wrestling game with some fun multiplayer then this is a great purchase.