The improved sequel that takes wrestling games to a whole new level of excitement.
THE GOOD
-Fun multiplayer
-Great selection of wrestlers
-Excellent variety of game modes
-Good control scheme
-Exciting audio
THE BAD
-Difficult to perform reversals
-Graphics are a little rough around the edges
OVERVIEW
WWF Raw is the improved sequel to WWF Royal Rumble. Raw is based on the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) TV show called Monday Night Raw. If you haven't already guessed, this game is wrestling themed. This game offers a wide selection of superstars like 1-2-3 Kid, Bam Bam Bigelow, Bret Hart, Diesel, Doink, Lex Luger, Luna Vachon, Owen Hart, Razor Ramon, Shawn Michaels, Undertaker and Yokozuna. Each wrestler plays a little differently based on four characteristics: Speed, Strength, Stamina, and Weight. Attributes play a vital role in how you attack your opponent; either with grapples or high flying kicks.
GAMEPLAY
Just like the TV show, this game offers a bunch of great events: One-on-one, Tag Team, Survivor Series, Bedlam, Royal Rumble and Raw Endurance Match. The winner is decided differently based on the game type. One-on-one puts two players in the ring for a good old grudge match. To win you must eliminate your opponent by pinfall, submission, count-out or disqualification. Tag Team and Survivor Series are similar in that you're on a team of two people. Only one person from each team can appear in the ring, however, you can "tag" your teammate in at any time. The Bedlam is sort of like a Tag Team match but the difference is that both players on a team can appear in the ring at the same time. The Raw Endurance Match is a test of skill in that you have to go up against six different wrestlers (one at a time) without gaining health between matches. The last and my personal favorite is the cutthroat Royal Rumble. Two superstars will start off in the ring and then more will enter as time progresses (up to six at a time). Pinfalls, submissions, count-outs and disqualifications won't eliminate your opponent here; instead you have to throw them over the top rope and out of the ring. With up to six people in the ring it can get pretty chaotic and a whole lot of fun.
You can play by yourself or with up to four friends, via the multi-tap. I would highly recommend playing with your friends, not that playing by yourself isn't fun (because it is), because it can get just as crazy and intense as the TV show. Computer players will fill in if you don't have friends to play with and you can select their difficulty.
The controls are both intuitive and easy to use. You only have six buttons on the controller but you can perform almost 15 different maneuvers. Grappling is pretty much your main form of attack. When you're in a grapple with an opponent, a gauge will appear above both characters and success comes from being able to press the buttons faster. Mashing on certain button will perform a specific move like a body slam, throw, or suplex. The first player to initiate a grapple typically ends up winning because the game gives that person a slight edge; this ends up being quite annoying for the other player because it's unfairly easy to dominate the match. Aside from the grapple there are punches, kicks, chokeholds and eye gouges that you can also use to your advantage in the ring. Also, once your foe's health bar reaches the red section you have the opportunity to perform a signature move like Brett Hart's Sharpshooter or Diesel's Powerbomb. These crowd pleasing moves are fun to execute and are a great way to end the match with bang.
GRAPHICS & SOUND
The graphics are mediocre for WWF Raw. The ring looks pretty good but the character design appears pixilated and rough around the edges.
The audio is absolutely fantastic from the bone crushing slams to the high flying elbow drops. Plus, the roar of the crowd makes it feel like you really are in the spotlight, center-stage. Another noteworthy tidbit is that each wrestler's theme music appears at the character selection screen.
CONCLUSION
WWF Raw is an improved game from its predecessor, WWF Royal Rumble, with more wrestlers, match types and 4-player capability. This game is really easy to pick up and play with your friends or by yourself. All the wrestling greats, for this time period, are here and you're bound to have some good mindless fun. I would recommend this game to WWF fanatics and others that enjoy fighting type games. Just like Monday Night Raw, this game is filled with bone crushing hits and gratifying slams.