TNA iMPACT!

E3 2008 Preview

Last we saw TNA iMPACT was at Midway’s Gamer’s Day in Las Vegas some months ago. Now, the game was on display at this year’s E3 trade show in LA, showcasing more of the title’s gameplay elements in the regular modes of play. All in all, the game is progressing quite nicely, offering a much faster pace than other titles in the pro-wrestling genre, while keeping the depth and complex reversals that TNA is known for. TNA iMPACT should be a title that TNA fans will enjoy as well as newcomers.

While many wrestling titles prove to be unwieldy endeavors, TNA iMPACT is actually quite easy to get the hang of. The face buttons allow you to punch, kick, and grapple with your foes, and you’re able to modify your attacks using the left bumper. The right bumper is your reversal/block button, allowing you to turn around your opponent’s attacks on them. Basically every move in the game can be reversed, and matches can go on for quite a while if two skilled players are going at it.

Aside from the smooth gameplay mechanics, great lengths were taken to make sure that the wrestlers themselves were accurate. The details of the wrestlers were rendered down to individual pores on their skin, and their animations and ring entrances were done down to a T to make sure that they captured every nuance. The game is poised to have 25 characters, not including unlockable ones and those available through downloadable content.

TNA iMPACT is turning out to be quite an impressive wrestler, offering a faster pace and smoother controls than competing titles in the genre. Look for it to release this September.

For All E3 2008 GZ Previews