WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2008

As John Cena is flying through the air with his arms extended and that look of total determination on his face, I found myself wondering why I continue to fall in love with a franchise that doesn’t fully evolve into something altogether new. After all, we’ve followed the franchise on the original PlayStation, loved it on the PS2 and now we’re in a new generation of gaming consoles. Still, the yearly editions seldom change but boy is it still entertaining enough that I will continue to love watching my favorite grappler leap off the turnbuckle to fly through the air. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 delivers yet another Irish Whip and actually makes it good enough to keep the fans happy.

“You lied to me! You said your famous Flower-scented Face Massage doesn’t hurt!”

John Cena isn’t the only wrestler with killer moves in this game; you’ll encounter a number of up-to-date SmackDown and a number of Raw superstars in the lineup but this year they’re joined by the ECW stable. That means you’ll be sharing a ring with The Undertaker as well as CM Punk or Carlito going up against the likes of Terry Funk. The ECW franchise makes its presence known in other events (the ECW Extreme Rules match, for instance) including game modes like 24/7 Mode as well so we’re looking at a healthy stable of opponents and favorites to play. You can even unlock a number of legends that range from Sergeant Slaughter, Stone Cold, The Rock and Rowdy Roddy Piper, to name a few. Of course, you can always include your own created Superstar or Diva to a match and, in the case of 24/7 Mode you can take your created wannabe superstar through an entire career.

Speaking of 24/7 Mode, nothing has really changed in this department and that’s both good or bad depending on how much you loved it in the 2007 game. Once again you can play the game as a General Manager, taking over every aspect of your Raw, SmackDown or ECW franchise and make GM decisions that include setting up Pay-Per-View events to getting a major Superstar to sign up with your franchise. You can also play the game as a Superstar, following a star of your choice through a season and making career decisions for him. Finally, 24/7 Mode even allows you to take your own created Superstar (sorry, once again, this doesn’t include your created Diva but if should) and start as an amateur and work your way to being a superstar or a legend. This mode even has you training your created character to build up his individual physical strengths as well as learn how to showboat using a microphone. You will also make decisions such as starring as a villain in a Hollywood blockbuster or signing autographs at the local mall.

Of course, you will also find the usual assortment of game matches; those who love a good Ladder match or a tough Steel Cage match will find them among the growing list of matches and events. The great thing about past versions is that THQ managed to include conditions as well so those simple one-on-one matches now include managers of your choosing, handicaps and matches that take place outside the ring and out among the fans. Speaking of battles that take place out of the mat, you’ll be taking the fight outside where you can literally destroy objects around you. You can even play WWE styled pay-per-view events or create your own in Create mode.

Surprisingly, this year’s game feels a tad easier than last year’s game but, make no mistake, you will still find plenty of challenges whether they come from powerhouses like Rey Mysterio or Shawn Michaels. It felt a bit odd that I easily beat Melinda in a Woman’s Title match using a weak created Diva and thus stealing the belt from her. I suppose you can blame it on the solid PS3 controls and the few new moves that allow you to perform reversals a bit more quickly or even use the referee as a sort of human shield. The Struggle Submission System also helps since you can use the right analog stick to apply just the right pressure to make body specific injuries. 24/7 Mode actually features injuries that are a result of the type of damage you inflict on your opponent so if your submission move resulted a wrist injury to Stone Cold‘s left arm, you’ll find that he won’t be available to challenge you until he’s fully recovered.

 
Ouch.

The controls even allow you to pull off some interesting moves far easier so if you went through the tutorial you can really get to some great finishing moves and unique brawler moves such as Fists of Fury. Depending on your style, you can even perform dirty moves, remove the turnbuckle (sadly, not like George “the Animal” Steel) and make some really great reversals that will get you out of some dangerous jams. The SIXAXIS control is also implemented but only to turn the intro views from third-person view to first-person view.

On the graphics front, the 2008 game looks decent enough although not as nearly as gorgeous as it could have been on the PS3. You will still find the same old visual glitches such as awful clipping problems (hands going right through their opponent’s body or long hair that phases right through your grappler’s own back). Still, these things pale compared to the fact that all the superstars resemble their real-life counterparts and not just in the introductions. Even your own created wrestler looks amazing in the ring as the crowd of fans pump their fists. Overall, the visuals are good but they really could have been better.

“This will teach you to interrupt my long-winded and poorly-acted soliloquy!”

The game’s sound, on the other hand, definitely needs a helping hand. The voice work is simply awful in this game and that’s even with most of the Superstars supplying their vocal talents. Worst yet is the commentary team that really rambles on without really making any observations about the match that unfolds before them. They seldom even show their enthusiasm for a championship bout so unless it involves a Diva you’ll rarely hear Jerry “the King” Lawler make a lively comment or two. The soundtrack is only so-so if you love the hard rock tunes or each wrestler’s individual intro song.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 for the PlayStation 3 feels like more of the same but that doesn’t mean you won’t have a good time and with a few new additions this is a title good enough for fans to appreciate. Sure, there are changes we fans would like to see but this still remains one fun and hardcore wrestling game with a lot to offer.

Gameplay: 7.5
New submission moves and neat out-of-ring events that do a good job of mimicking televised events are at the top of the list of great new features but everything remains the same including the 24/7 Mode. Still, wrestling fans will like the return of all the usual match types and adding the ECW franchise doesn’t hurt things either. 

Graphics: 8.0
The game doesn’t exactly take advantage of the PS3 graphics power but what we see here is actually not bad at all. Each Superstar looks exactly the way they do in real life and their stylish moves come off excellently, but there are still some heavy clipping problems.

Sound: 6.5
There are a collection of tunes in the game and they’re mostly of the hard rock variety so if you’re looking for diversity in the music you are in for a disappointment. Still, there are some decent arena sounds and sound effects that correspond with a particular superstar. The voice work is atrocious this year and so is the two-man commentary team.

Difficulty: Medium
The game somehow feels a bit easier this year but there are some hardcore grapplers who will give your thumbs quite a workout. Superstars like King Booker T and even Vince McMahon himself will not fail to have you working hard in the ring.

Concept: 7.5
The events haven’t changed and neither have the venues but this year brings the ECW lineup to the SmackDown and Raw stable of grapplers and there are some decent new moves like the Struggle Submission System. The lineup of legends is great if you love Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock. This girl does love that hunky Bret “The Hitman” Hart fellow.

Multiplayer: 7.0
Nothing says multiplayer like a six-man Last Man Standing event or any championship that has multiple opponents battling it out in the ring for a title match. There’s online multiplayer action for up to four players depending on the event but - once again - voice chat is left out. THQ, please, the PS3 is capable of handling voice chat so here’s hoping we see it in the 2009 edition.

Overall: 7.5
While the original formula remains the same year after year, WWE SmackDown Vs. Raw 2008 is still a fun game that does manage to pull off some new moves on the PS3. It would have been great to see something uniquely next-gen for this year’s edition but it’s still a good time for any wrestling fan out there.