WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2008

Standing in one corner of the ring, a masculine fighter raises his arm to acknowledge his fans. Cheers erupt through the arena, proving that when joined together, the human voice is more powerful than any man-made speaker. Music blasts in the background, signifying the arrival of a champ or champ-in-the-making. It’s WWE, world’s largest wrestling organization. And that guy in the spotlight – he didn’t come to play, he came to win.

Then the next wrestler comes out. Male or female, the routine rolls on. Big lights, loud cheers, and a star looking to put on a show. WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw, the wrestling federation conglomerate game from THQ, has come for another November of heart-stopping intensity.

This year’s edition has been hyped with the development of eight fighting styles: Powerhouse, Technical, Brawler, Submission, Dirty, Showman, High-Flyer, and Hardcore. It only takes two buttons to activate one of these styles: R1+triangle. Their power can be quite devastating. The pain and damage level of Submission moves grows more intense when the Submission style is being used. Likewise, once a Hardcore fighter is on the loose, he’s more capable of inflicting pain – even if he must hurt himself in the process.

These style moves are great, however, they don’t change the battles as much as I had hoped. Smackdown Vs. Raw 2008 plays well for a game that hasn’t evolved much this year. But while the Nintendo Wii version features some new (if not a little odd) motion controls, and while the Nintendo DS version offers a nice selection of touch and draw-based moves, the PS2 version doesn’t have any new control mechanics to share.

In addition to the 24/7 mode, covered next, Smackdown Vs. Raw 2008 contains a Hall of Fame mode with challenges that range from January 22, 1995 to June 12, 2006. Using the Undertaker, take on Mick Foley in a Hell in a Cell match on Legend (difficulty setting). Or defeat Matt Hardy, Edge, Finlay and Jeff Hardy in a Money in the Bank match using any Superstar, also on Legend. These and other objectives provide an extra set of challenges to overcome.

Didn’t Sleep a Wink

Hardcore hits or hardworking actors? Real-world drama or real-world injuries? Wrestling is often a question mark regarding what’s real and what’s not. You can tell that some of the feuds were born on paper, but when someone ends up in the hospital, it’s doubtful that those doctors are acting.

Smackdown Vs. Raw 2008 takes a look at some of those issues with the 24/7 mode. As a general manager, you’ll contract storyline writers to amplify the drama. Need higher ratings? Want to create an enemy within the league? Perhaps the rivalries aren’t enough and you’re looking to spark some controversy. Money will get you what you’re looking for, with an increase in areas like “injury revenge” and “cheating girlfriend.”

Managers also have to keep an eye on health and progress reports, rosters, and propose any trades. Fan support is another consideration. The three main areas, however, are squarely directed on the wrestlers. Training Exercises are just what they sound like, but without the mini-game nonsense that’s usually found in this kind of a mode. To increase a stat (strength, speed, stamina, technical, durability, submission, hardcore, or charisma) of a particular wrestler, players must take that wrestler into the ring for a timed battle. The goal is not to pin your opponent or beat him into submission. Instead, you must execute the moves required for the stat you wish to strengthen.

The second area of gameplay, Skill Development, enhances your skills with a microphone (for press conference appearances), how well you perform on camera, the ability to manage pain, how to become a fan favorite or fan loathed, and the best way to endure the hardships of wrestling.

Lastly, you may tell a wrestler to participate in special events. These are not the competitions that pull in the big bucks and earn the general manager a nice bonus. Instead, they are used to promote those competitions and increase the popularity and financial status of the wrestler involved. To be a part of this hoopla, get your wrestlers to sign autographs, attend press conferences, charity events and photo shoots, conduct interviews with online publications, star in a movie (as a hero or villain), or make a public appearance with an attractive woman on each side. You can also let your wrestlers take off work for a day to relax.

As a wrestler (or more specifically, a Superstar), players will face the common list of season mode battles. Events may be simulated but only by skipping forward to a certain point. There is no way to intervene during the simulation process – once a day has been skipped, you won’t be going back. If several days are scheduled for automation, you can hit the X button before the sim finishes to manually participate in some of those matches.

Wrestling simulations have their obvious downsides, but it’s not a good idea for managers to do it either. In the GM mode, contract deadlines are of major concern and come up early on in the game. If you miss the deadline because you were busy letting the AI do your job for you, no announcement will follow. The only way you’ll know what happened is when you go to enter a match. “Uhh, what’s going on? I don’t have any Superstars.” Check your phone and you’ll see a large list of messages regarding the contracts that are about to expire, and likely have by this time. Looks like some rookies or free agents are about to get a call.

With much of the 24/7 mode content being pulled over from previous versions, and most of the gameplay having been experienced before, WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2008 doesn’t feel fresh on PlayStation 2 anymore. This was to be expected now that the game is coming to not one, but three next-gen consoles, as well as PSP and Nintendo DS.

On the bright side, the series has yet to die on the current generation. Series veterans will enjoy it – they just won’t find it as satisfying as some of the previous iterations.

Gameplay: 7.0
The gameplay is still exciting and engaging. You’ll want to play solo or multiplayer matches even if the other modes have lost their lure.

Graphics: 7.0
No better than last year’s game.

Sound: 7.0
The cheesy voice acting can be somewhat overlooked thanks to a hard-hitting rock soundtrack. 

Difficulty: Easy/Medium
Smackdown Vs. Raw 2008 isn’t the hardest wrestling game ever made, but its Hall of Fame mode will test your endurance.

Concept: 7.0
The application of fighting styles and their player-specific nature improve the overall package. Unfortunately, that’s the only improvement to speak of – the rest of the game feels like a revised Smackdown Vs. Raw 2007.

Multiplayer: 7.5
There’s still no better way to play Smackdown than with a friend.

Overall: 7.0
A good rental for most and a decent buy for the super-hardcore wrestling fanatic, WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2008 doesn’t push the series forward. But with the next-gen consoles in full swing, it doesn’t seem like there is much room for the game to grow without jumping ship. Play this one if you love its prequels, and plan moving to PS3 or Xbox 360 for Smackdown Vs. Raw 2009.