We were recently invited out to THQ worldwide headquarters in Los Angeles, CA to preview their upcoming title, “WWE: Legends of Wrestlemania”. I must say that when I first heard about this game, I got giddy with nostalgia thinking about playing as my childhood heroes. Thankfully I can say that for the most part, “Legends” does not disappoint.
As most gamers know, THQ has done a fantastic job with their “Smackdown vs. Raw” series in the past few years. However, they kept getting feedback from fans requesting a game where you can play as the classic characters. And so Legends was born! Legends revisits the Wrestlemania 1-15 eras and allows gamers to play as their favourite wrestlers from back in the day.
How does it differ from “Smackdown vs. Raw”?
One of my first questions was how this game was different from the Smackdown vs. Raw series. It differs in a few key ways. A different development team worked on the game. This team decided to go with a look and feel that resembles those old arcade brawlers with larger than life wrestling “Superstars.” (Not cartoonish, just larger than life.) Also, just like the arcade brawlers of past, this game is a bit of a button smasher. But before you hardcore gamers write it off, it’s a button smasher with some depth! (More on this under the “control scheme”) Overall, the dev team was hoping to appeal to gamers who are looking to play a wrestling game but don’t want to read a manual just to figure out how to fight. While the developers explained the game to the media, the classic wrestler Sgt. Slaughter showed up to surprise us. This was the first video game Slaughter had ever played, EVER, and he picked it up pretty quick. So this is the kind of game you hardcore gamers can play with your dad or even your kid nephew. And they might kick your butt after a few rounds, which is probably good for you!
Storyline
The game designers give you several ways to play Legends. The three main modes are “Relive”, “Rewrite”, and “Redefine”.
In Relive, you play through several classic matches from past Wrestlemanias. In each match, you attempt to perform objectives that help you relive the match as it actually went down. You do not have to do the objectives to win the match, they only give you access to unlockables. The unlockables are not necessary to progress.
In Rewrite, you play through several different classic matches as the historical loser order to rewrite those matches as the winner. A similar objective system is also in place for this mode.
In Redefine, you play through several classic matches that are redefined. This means you can play them in cage matches or ladder matches, or various other schemes.
Another mode in the game is “Legend Killer” where you play the classic matches as your own custom-made Legend Character. The idea is to beat the legends and eventually become one.
There is also an exhibition mode where you can play one-off matches and other modes such as “Royal Rumble, Ladder Match, Cage Match, Triple Threat,” and several more.
Control Scheme and Game Play
Because the developers were going for the classic arcade brawler feel, the control scheme is fairly scaled down. You only use the left d-pad to control your character and the four face buttons for fighting. Although this sounds simplistic, the dev team actually developed a fair amount of depth with this set up. Legends takes the “Smash Bros.” approach to a fighting game.
Your main moves are “aggressive attack”, “body slam”, “grapple,” and “block”. Each character performs these actions using wrestling moves that they actually performed in real life when they wrestled. You can also get into an action move sequence where you have to press the correct button to perform the move. If you succeed, you take a lot of your opponent’s stamina away.
As you do better in a fight, your character levels up from 1 to 2 to 3. At stage 1 you perform basic moves, at stage 2 you perform more sensational and powerful moves, and at stage 3 your character’s finisher is unlocked. If you screw up your finisher or start getting the crap beat out of you, you level down.
As far as your health goes, your character has a stamina bar. When the bar hits empty you can still fight but you are vulnerable to being pinned. There are ways to get your stamina back up. Once you are pinned you can either tap buttons or hold them to try and get up. There is a meter that let’s you know how you are doing in this.
Multiplayer and Online Content
The game supports 2 players on a console or up to 4 players over Xbox Live.
Cool Features and Interesting Extras
Managers:
In old school wrestling, managers played a big part in the outcome of the match. In Legends, you can have one of four classic managers in your corner. The Managers run on an A.I. system and will help you out when you are in a crunch.
Playable Characters and Import Feature
There are at least 38 playable characters in the game. One very cool feature is that you can import the entire Smackdown VS. Raw roster into the Legends game. This feature brings your total Characters up to 110! The largest roster yet for a WWE title.
Over one hour of Classic Video Montage Footage
Each classic match begins with a video montage that shows you the rivalry leading up to the fight. This footage is VERY well edited and you will not want to skip through it (but you do have that option). In fact, some of this classic footage hasn’t been seen in over 20 years and is only available for the first time on this game. After you win a match, the video montage becomes available to re-view at any time.
Other Cool/Interesting Stuff.
-Everyone in the crowd is a unique 3D model, and they look great in the game!
-The create-a-legend feature has everything in past THQ wrestling games plus 100 new features.
-Game uses an old-school looking “W” that is similar to the old “WWF” logo with two inset W’s and the F coming out of the W. In the classic footage you see “WWF” but there are a couple times in the arenas where you see WWE.
-Classic announcer Howard Finkle does all the announcing. The current commentators are back in Legends with over 5000 calling lines.
-Finally, the Xbox360 vs. PS3 debate. Anecdotally, it appears that the PS3 version has quicker load times. However, the game controls lend themselves better to the 360 (in my opinion). Also, for any PS3 fanboys who happened upon this site, the game works with the Dual Shock 3 rumble features. Too bad the PS3 controls suck! ;)
Final Thoughts
My opinion from the preview event is that this is going to be an above average wrestling game. As an avid gamer who doesn’t have a ton of time to game and as a wrestling fan who stopped watching 10 years ago, I would purchase this game over Smackdown VS. Raw. It appeals to my nostalgic notions, and it is fun to play. For the hardcore wrestling fan, Legends is a must-have, especially considering the rare video montages. For the hardcore gamer, you are looking at an above average fighting game – it’s not smashing anyone’s mind – but it doesn’t have to. It’s comfortable being what it is – a classic arcade brawler built with some depth for this generation of gaming.
Preview By: Mark Strickland
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