| WWE - Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 A Second Look |
|
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw! 2009 Tampa Bay Launch Party
Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 releases on November 9th in North America and THQ asked MSXBOX-WORLD to visit them at the Florida Champion Wrestling in Tampa Bay to get a second look at how the game has progressed since we last saw it at their headquarters in California. A special treat, WWE superstar Randy Orton was also in attendance at the event promoting the FCW and of course, the upcoming Smackdown vs Raw 2009.
It was really neat to get to hear from an honest to god WWE Superstar and for him to share his thoughts on the game. Randy essentially stated that when he gets injured there is nothing he likes better than to kick back and get some serious gaming time in particularly with his favorite series Smackdown vs. Raw. Randy felt that the series has come a long way and is very reflective of what actually goes on during matches and superstar entrances.
Randy said he was struck by how accurately the game portrays even his minute characteristic eyebrow raises, and accurately models even the way he walks. I could tell Randy was being honest as well .. this wasn't just bogus PR for the game. This certainly raised my expectations as to what the final product will look like when it appears at retail on the 9th of November.
As some of you may recall we released a detailed article several weeks ago outlining the game's many varied features. Unfortunately at the time, we were viewing an early build of the title and THQ therefore asked us to refrain from reporting on the game's loading times, which were atrociously slow. Cory Ledesma Senior Creative Manager on the title, claimed that these loading times would not only be sped up but would be even faster than last year's edition of Smackdown vs. Raw! Having seen the game in action just yesterday his proud boasts proved 100 percent true.
At the event in Florida members of the gaming and wrestling enthusiast press were treated to a hour long presentation outlining the game's features. During the presentation we watched a side by side comparison of Smackdown vs. Raw 2008's loading times during an entrance scene versus Smackdown vs. Raw 2009's loading times. It was pretty impressive to see how much they have managed to cut down the loading bar and get players into the match. 2009 is now not just faster in terms of loading, it is blazingly fast. 2009 would have players into the match, while 2008 was still in the middle of the entrance sequence. Associate Game Designer Dan Ryan stated that the loading times have been increased by as much as 62% and MSXBOX-WORLD can tell you this is not just developer hyperbole. We've seen the proof.
Not just limited to entrance scenes the developing team on the game has improved loading times in every possible way. For example in Smackdown vs. Raw! 2008 players would be forced to go through agonizingly long loading times when restarting a match. In Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 restarting a match is basically instantaneous , with a loading time consisting of about 1 second.
Loading times aside, the actual game itself is shaping up to be what looks to be a stellar edition to the franchise. The developers have listened to their fanatical fans and improved on the core gameplay, making tweaks where necessary but still somehow managing to create a title that welcomes newcomers while maintaining the strategic depth that has always been so important to the series.
The game features over 60 playable characters with over 100 different match types. Story mode can now be played with your buddies thanks to co-op tag team options. Players will have the option to rip music for playback in game, as well as the new option of uploading their own creative content online.
THQ put up a chart that compared the game to other fighting titles such as Soul Calibur IV and TNA Impact:
While I'm not sure that the genre match is completely accurate (particularly in Soul Calibur IV's case), I do think THQ makes a good point. Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 really does pack a huge amount of options, features and playable characters into the game when compared with other fighter type titles. With so many great games coming out this fall it's important to get good value for your dollar in a game and Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 is definitely going to deliver.
We mentioned this in our last article however it's worth mentioning again. The WWE fan base is a fanatically loyal group. MSXBOX-WORLD believes that the ability to be able to share creative content online will go a long way creating and retaining an active social scene within the game. We fully expect to see amazing things done with the online player created promo reels and we expect to see players creating their own epic WWE storylines, or emulate what they see on television.
This will be helped by the players ability to create their own custom finishers. As Superstars in real life evolve and develop new special moves players will be able to emulate those moves through the custom finisher. The custom finisher allows for up to 10 different combinations within each individual finisher meaning we are going to see a wildly different variety of moves created online and shared with friends.
None of this would matter though if the gameplay wasn’t up to par. We're pleased to report that not only is the gameplay a ton of fun, it's looking like 2009 will be a defining version of the Smackdown vs. Raw series. THQ has gone all out in this edition with not only more of everything in terms of match types and game types, but improving the game graphically as well as loading times. The technical performance of the game alone will make the title a day 1 purchase for any fan of the series, as well as a serious consideration for anyone that's looking for a good fighting title.
When we talk about technical performance it's not necessarily big things but many of the little things that have been improved. Everything from better load times and dynamic lighting to better motion capture resulting in fluidity of fighter moves (yes even the custom finishers). I was amazed at how realistic the title looked while still maintaining that all important fun factor.
With so many great games on the horizon gamers are going to have a lot to consider as to what games they should pick out. Unlike the multitude of first person shooters, RPGs and racers about to hit, there is really no other game that will compete with Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 within the fighting gene. This fact alone might be enough to propel a purchase, but the longevity factor within the title's varied multiplayer modes is a deal sealer.
Currently there is a demo for the game available on the Playstation Network, if you own a PS3 I highly suggest checking it out! Hopefully we'll see a demo on Xbox Live soon. The game is a ton of fun and we think may just possibly end up being a title that ends up in your collection even if you never had any plan to purchase it before.
Posted By: Scott Strickland
Date: 2008-11-04
|
|
