Took me days to decide whether to pick up the 2007 version or the 2008 version after going through numerous reviews.....
Turns out i bought 2007 for a really cheap price as well as the 2008 version just to compare as i couldn't decided by the mixed reviews of '08.
First of all, I was a fan of the WWF not (E)....and i've stopped following the program ever since early 2002. Let's face it, those times are over ever since they dropped the 'F'......
Mind you, i don't care about the ECW portion of this port as i have no interest in it so i can't really assist any of you in that department. This review will be based JUST on the core of wrestling and nothing more. So, this will be a very very short review as I'm just going to point out some pros and cons....
-----------------Graphics: 7.5/10
I've compared them to both 2007 to 2008. First of all they entirely similar, a lot are the same if not better. The only difference is that some wrestlers like Triple H, Kane etc have bulked up a bit but still hold truth to their real life counterparts.
Jeff hardy on the other hand was a major disappointment in its character model. From a distance he looks great, close up? not so much....he looks just as bland as the blurred apron logos, so that really sucked. Arena wise, they look much better and rich then last year's (better crowd, little details around the entrance of the arena). One thing i know some gamers failed to notice was the absence of the camera works projected on the Titantron. For some reason, in 24/7 or (season mode that is) or just regular exhibition matches, the RAW titantron appears to be blank or seen as a "grey screen". However, in the Smackdown arena everything was fine. When i had THE ROCK do the ppls elbow, you don't see your superstar on the titantron....its BLANK!!!. That just killed it for me right there.....no wonder the load times are much faster, cause they took that out!. Some Arenas that you get to choose just have the logos on the jtitantron instead of broadcasting your match ie) Judgement day logo on the titantron during gameplay. So your superstars introduction music video works, but when the match starts, u get the grey screen of death...
--------------Gameplay 8/10
- Innovative in a way, just takes patience to master and turns out to be just as fun as it would be in '07.
- the ANIMATION was what surprised me. Instead of walking in horizontal or vertical lines, you have no restrictions on your superstars movement in the ring, it just makes the whole thing visually realistic and smooth which is a BIG PLUS.
- The somewhat new controls which aren't really new, just switched the finisher move to the triangle button and running is by holding L and D pad is generally the difference between last years controls. BUT certain moves are bound to be absent from this game due to the refined controls.
YOu can expect a lot of the gameplay greatness experience of the 07 in the 08 port. Just fiddle around with some new changes and it becomes quite smooth.....its like playing Socom Fireteam Bravo 2 control scheme when you;re running around int he ring. IF you can master that then nothings gonna stop you. Players are tad bit slower adding to the realism of the game which is always a plus.
Season mode or 24/7 mode is a complete disaster, voice glitches, graphic glitches (expected) but the whole thing just doesnt seem to work out..
-----------------Sound 6.5/10
As good as 2007's....i just turn off the menu music and in game music as i just can't stand most of the no name bands. and theres no commentary....
Big disappointment in season mode, sometimes the sound is muted during cut scenes....
------------------Value 6.5/10
This game personally, i woul've given it an 8-8.5 ish.....knowing that they minimized the loading times by taking out certain camera works such as the in game Titantron broadcast....it ruined the entire arenas atmosphere.
If they had included the missing moves for certain stars, would've been perfect for me.....the major significant loss for putting this game aside and sticking with the 2007 version for me was the animation.....it was just soooo smooth and realistic. I guess we'll have to wait and see whether they'd combine the goodies in '08 to the '07 version for the 2009 title. If they do i'm definetley gettting it.......
My advice, stick with SVR 2007