Like most
portable gaming aficionados looking for a good wrestling title to take on that
long road trip, I do look forward to the latest SmackDown! Vs. Raw game.
Each year just a small number of features are added but neither one really
pushes anything new enough to get fans of the genre or franchise something to
really sink their teeth into enthusiastically. Last year’s game was acceptable
but still not quite worth the championship belt. Oh, but SmackDown! Vs. Raw
2009 is not a bad start despite a number of things that still remain
relatively the same.
Laying down
the smack … again
It’s still
quite impressive to see how many features from the console made the cut on the
PSP version with enough options and game modes that have made fans happy to have
a worthy portable version. Of course, the controls left much to be desired and
since the 2008 edition, the character movement was switch to the D-pad
instead of the PSP’s analog nub. The result left a rather bitter taste in some
fan’s mouths but it’s not to say that it made the game unplayable. Thankfully,
SmackDown! Vs. Raw 2009 tightens the controls enough to pull off some
complex moves a tad easier.
This year’s
edition also has a far more robust roster of Superstars and Divas … something
that was a slight disappointment with last year’s game. Like the last game, this
year’s edition brings back stars from the ECW brand as well so you’ll find
recognizable stars mixing it up with SmackDown! and Raw wrestlers. If that
wasn’t enough, there’s a new option to make changes to the roster so you can
change a grappler’s specialty move as well as create a fantasy dream team for
those tag team matches. Imagine having John Cena and the Undertaker teaming up
to take down known tag-team superstars. Speaking of creation options, the Create
features have extra options for creating characters as well as coming up with
your own Finisher. They’re not bad creation options at all but don’t expect the
same depth as the console version, though.
The best new
addition happens to be the game modes that include the return of a better Career
mode. This year’s Career mode allows you to take your favorite grappler or
created wrestler (a Superstar or Diva) through a lengthy career filled with WWE-styled
twists and elements that links the three brands. For those who miss 24/7 Mode or
GM Mode, Career mode has more than enough goodies worth checking out. The game
also brings back Tournament mode as well take your favorite wrestler through
familiar WWE events. You also have the option to create your own championship
with the ability to create the championship belt for said event.
The long and
sweaty road
Aside from a
great Career mode, the new Road to WrestleMania is one fans will truly love. In
this mode, you pick from five Superstars such as Triple H, John Cena, the
Undertaker, CM Punk and Chris Jericho. You’ll even have the option to pick the
awesome tag team of Rey Mysterio and Batista. This story-oriented game follows
one of these characters through 81 days of attempting to secure your place in
the next WrestleMania. The interesting part is that each wrestler has a
different story that caters to their personality. Playing as John Cena, for
example will touch upon interests such as his involvement with entertaining the
troops in Iraq down to keeping a close eye on the top contender. It’s a great
mode that isn’t too long but still loads of fun to play.
There are also
a number of fun one-on-one matches to be had here that are carried over from
last year as well as a new match called Inferno. In Inferno, you’ll go up
against a challenger in a setting where the edges are set ablaze. The flames and
temperatures rise as you wrestle and when the flames become more visible. Your
objective is to toss your opponent into the fire and thus setting their clothes
on fire.
As far as the
graphics are concerned, this year’s game is not bad at all when it comes to the
character models. It’s great to see the character animations mimic the real
Superstar and Diva’s signature moves and gestures. The clipping problems are
back and the crowds still look flat and unnatural so the visuals still could
have been better. At least the game’s sound works well and there’s some original
voice acting from the Superstars and the two-man commentary team. Each
wrestler’s entrance song is present and there’s a number of rock tunes found
throughout the game.
SmackDown!
Vs. Raw 2009 is not
a major leap forward for the series but this year’s edition is certainly off to
a great start in the game mode department. While there are some issues that are
still not perfected on the PSP, new game modes and a variety of gameplay options
ought to give wresting fans and portable gamers more than enough reason to want
to pick this one up. The fun Road to WrestleMania and Career mode alone are
worth the purchase price so if you’re looking for a decent wrestling game or
missed last year’s game then you might want to consider picking this one up.
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Gameplay: 7.5
The controls haven’t
really changed from last year’s game and that’s not such a bad thing or a good
one either and the camera is still not your friend. There’s a great roster,
though, and you can make changes to it to create your own dream teams. The star
of the show is Road to WrestleMania that offers up great storylines and fun
gameplay. Even the new matches are entertaining.
Graphics: 7.0
The game is not as
visually gorgeous as it could have been and there’s a lot of clipping to be
found on the PSP. Still, the Superstars and Divas are instantly recognizable
and, despite the fact that the audience looks like cardboard cutouts, the arenas
look good.
Sound: 7.5
The collection of
rock tunes featured in the game isn’t my cup of tea but it’s good to hear
everyone’s entrance music. You’ll find some decent arena sounds and there’s some
voice acting in this one thanks to Road to WrestleMania and Career mode.
Difficulty: Medium
The opponent AI
isn’t bad at all this year and you’ll be surprised to see how different
Superstars and Divas pull off their signature moves in all the right moments
during a match. This also makes single-player tag team matches far more
bearable.
Concept: 7.5
Road to WrestleMania
and Career Mode are this year’s winners and these modes will be the reason fans
will be playing this 2009 game for a long time. The Create features offer more
options this year and it’s a blast designing your own tournament. The roster is
better as well and fans will love the extra grapplers you can unlock.
Multiplayer: 7.0
No online play still
hurts like the Undertaker’s backhand slap but at least there’s some two-player
multiplayer fun to be had via Ad Hoc. The framerate takes a dip in multiplayer
but it’s not as bad as in past games in the series.
Overall: 7.5
While the 2009
edition feels much a bit like last year’s offering, SmackDown! Vs. Raw 2009
for the PSP does bring some refreshing changes to the ring. There are still
a few elements that still need a bit tweaking but, overall, wrestling fans will
find a good reason to lay the smack down once again.
