Post by think on Jul 27, 2007 8:09:39 GMT -5
US, July 26, 2007 - About a week before E3 began THQ had us over to its LA office to play a little SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 on Wii, 360, and DS. We dropped in for an afternoon, played a while on each of the builds, ate a delicious lunch, and went about or Pre-E3 madness. Now that E3 is dead and gone (we can only hope forever) and Comic-Con is upon us we had a chance to drop everything, sit down with SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 once again, and really take some time to dive into the demo. And while it may not have left us with any huge revelation about the game, the DS version has us considerably interested for more.
During our original demo we didn't have a ton of time to really take in everything the DS version of WWE's next installment had to offer; that was not the case this time around. The demo kicked off with the same battle as before - Triple H vs. John Cena - and we took to the ring. For starters the animation is pretty impressive for a DS game, moving each of the wrester's 3D counterpart with the mannerisms and overall style that the pros have in real life. The models look great in the world, and DS runs the 3D action flawlessly. Each intro is complete with the music and animation set for that wrestler, and once in the ring the semi turn-based action begins.
Since SmackDown vs. Raw is all about strategy and "direct control" this year it took a few minutes for us to really find our wrestling groove with the game. Sure a simple click and drag will initiate moves, but the first few jabs, kicks, and slams were really chalked up to a quick re-learning experience, as the DS version is anything but ordinary. After a few short minutes, however, we were into the game's strategy, exchanging quick jabs to counter huge power moves by the opponent and using offense to navigate the ring, moving our competitor against the turnbuckle for mounted punches or high-risk powerslams. Overall the control works great, but it does leave you with a bit of a mini-game feel in the process. You'll physically draw circles to apply hold pressure, or flick the stylus up and down to perform a lift and slam, and it takes a mix of strategy and quick execution to do it right.
As an interesting note, we knew weapons were in the game, but didn't personally get to use them. This time around the weapon icon showed up on screen, and we were able to slide out of the ring, grab a chair, and beat the hell out of Cena with it. Granted he reciprocated by leaving the ring and entering shortly after with a 2X4, but how can we blame him? We were giving him quite the beating.
In general SmackDown vs. Raw is what it was a month or so ago, but with a bit more time to play it we've reassured ourselves that the game is less of a gimmick, and more of an innovative take on sports entertainment. Whether or not the game has enough legs to stand on for the long run is still to be seen, and we wish there was still a bit more control over the characters themselves as far as ring mobility goes, but all in all SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 is an innovative, simplistic brawler that adds both fun and visual flair to a platform that has been without a wrestling game for years.
We'll have more on SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 as we near its fall release. Until then, be sure to keep checking back to IGN DS for the latest in media, news, and general WWE coverage, and don't forget to check out our media gallery below.
uk.ds.ign.com/articles/808/808209p1.html
During our original demo we didn't have a ton of time to really take in everything the DS version of WWE's next installment had to offer; that was not the case this time around. The demo kicked off with the same battle as before - Triple H vs. John Cena - and we took to the ring. For starters the animation is pretty impressive for a DS game, moving each of the wrester's 3D counterpart with the mannerisms and overall style that the pros have in real life. The models look great in the world, and DS runs the 3D action flawlessly. Each intro is complete with the music and animation set for that wrestler, and once in the ring the semi turn-based action begins.
Since SmackDown vs. Raw is all about strategy and "direct control" this year it took a few minutes for us to really find our wrestling groove with the game. Sure a simple click and drag will initiate moves, but the first few jabs, kicks, and slams were really chalked up to a quick re-learning experience, as the DS version is anything but ordinary. After a few short minutes, however, we were into the game's strategy, exchanging quick jabs to counter huge power moves by the opponent and using offense to navigate the ring, moving our competitor against the turnbuckle for mounted punches or high-risk powerslams. Overall the control works great, but it does leave you with a bit of a mini-game feel in the process. You'll physically draw circles to apply hold pressure, or flick the stylus up and down to perform a lift and slam, and it takes a mix of strategy and quick execution to do it right.
As an interesting note, we knew weapons were in the game, but didn't personally get to use them. This time around the weapon icon showed up on screen, and we were able to slide out of the ring, grab a chair, and beat the hell out of Cena with it. Granted he reciprocated by leaving the ring and entering shortly after with a 2X4, but how can we blame him? We were giving him quite the beating.
In general SmackDown vs. Raw is what it was a month or so ago, but with a bit more time to play it we've reassured ourselves that the game is less of a gimmick, and more of an innovative take on sports entertainment. Whether or not the game has enough legs to stand on for the long run is still to be seen, and we wish there was still a bit more control over the characters themselves as far as ring mobility goes, but all in all SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 is an innovative, simplistic brawler that adds both fun and visual flair to a platform that has been without a wrestling game for years.
We'll have more on SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 as we near its fall release. Until then, be sure to keep checking back to IGN DS for the latest in media, news, and general WWE coverage, and don't forget to check out our media gallery below.
uk.ds.ign.com/articles/808/808209p1.html
