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| Addiction Level | 9.4/10  |
|---|---|
| Graphics | 9.4/10 |
| Value for Money | 9.4/10 |
| Overall rating | 9.4/10 |
By dblock
on 27th Mar 2007
| Addiction Level | 7/10 |
|---|---|
| Graphics | 9/10 |
| Multi-player | Yes |
| Value for money | 7/10 |
| Overall value | 7/10 |
 dblock's recommendation | |
A great variety of game modes, wrestlers and challenges to choose from
A.I still relatively poor, other parts of the game stagnant.
Smackdown vs Raw 2007 was scheduled to be a release on the PS3, however due to the console being only slightly less delayed than Wembley Stadium, THQ decided that they would have to suffice with just the PS2 version of the game, something that will disappoint some fans. As a result you immediately feel they haven't unleashed all their ideas on this game and are saving them for the PS3 release. They have changed it enough to entice fans who can't wait, but a closer look at the game and you will see that virtually everything remains the same bar a few adjustments, additions and removals.
The main change introduced in the 2007 game is the control system. It has finally become fully analogue, so much so that the D-pad has been rendered close to useless. Having had a similar control format for many years, it is difficult at first to get used to the new style of playing and sometimes it does feel like you are repeating the same maneuvers over and over again. For a long term player of this game, this change may either be welcomed and a innovative new addition or like I feel, a needless complication in a part of the game that was already functioning very well.
As you can imagine, the few updates that have taken place concern the match types and the roster. One or two awful match types have been taken out and have been replaced by some slightly improved match types. Money in the bank is a new concept and the match differs from those that previous existed, but in effect is a rather updated version of a ladder match except that there are 6 opponents vying for one single suitcase of money hovering above the ring. I found this match very difficult to win, not because the opponents where difficult but the fact that out of the six opponents there was always one, who at any given time could stop you from climbing the ladder and reaching for the suitcase. The roster has once been updated, bringing a some new faces who have only recently been part of the WWE. On such person is the Great Khali, although his overall stats in the game seem to be pretty poor.
The ultimate control system, is a good new feature allowing you to choose from a number of complex moves all emanating from a strong grapple position. This includes suspending your opponent in mid-air for a few seconds before deciding to drop him at your will in a designated position. There is also a new 'crowd hotspot' where you can take your opponent and continue fighting in an environment full of weapons right next to where the fans are stood. This is not all too different from the end of the ramp fighting that existed in previous versions of the game but mysteriously got phased out. Also the disappearance of the backstage environments, such as the boiler room has been a mistake in my opinion, it at least provided a credible alternative to constantly fighting inside the ring.
The main queries with the older additions was the A.I of the opponents you were facing. You often felt that the computer controlled character was mind numbingly stupid on easy mode, an effective zombie, if you will. In contrast on the difficult mode, the opponent was like a ravenous robot and reversed out of every single attack you would throw at it. However the 2 middle modes, provided a happy medium of both. This in sense has remained true in the 2007 version of the game also. What really required improving was the how the opponent would react to different situations in a match. In some way THQ have progressed as they have included a smart reversal system whilst when you were holding a weapon. However there are numerous times when holding a weapon leads to no change in the strategy of the opponent and they are quite prepared to take a few chair blows to their head and be none the wiser the next time you chase after them with a ladder. Tag-team matches can be awfully infuriating at times also, the AI has not improved that much and means that I tend to stay away from such matches.
What they have incorporated is an extended season mode of the game and as this is what most players will spend their time doing, it is a good thing that a greater level of sophistication has been reached in season modes. No longer are you thrown into random matches with little or no say, the story lines are more developed but perhaps a bit extreme in their nature. GM mode was a new addition to the 2006 game and it generally very successful and a different dimension to the game. The GM game for 2007 has been improved and is now more strategic. You can't really complain about the types of matches you and the different challenges that you can play, it definitely is something that you can play for a long time, there is simply no question about that. For long term players, it is always what the game has done you feel, that is more important than what is. For a PS2 release though, THQ probably have taken this game as far as they can. Of course they could improve the game, however that development will take time and there are very few games which have in fact mastered A.I, in particular of a game such as this. For someone who has already purchased the 2006 version of the game, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this game to be on top of your wish list. However for someone who has little or no experience of the Smackdown vs Raw series of games then this purchase would be well worth your while.
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