Fall is quickly approaching. The leaves are changing colors. The air is becoming brisk and chilly. And the smell of sweaty men in tights is once again about to fill the air. That’s right, it’s just about time for this year’s installment of pro-wrestling mayhem when WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 hits shelves on November 13th.
There are several new features that come with the 2008 edition of Smackdown vs. Raw, including updated rosters and arenas. While all the details on arenas is not yet known, we do know that Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 will bring 42 updated WWE superstars and divas in addition to eight unlockable legends ranging from Smackdown series veteran, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin to first timer, the Homicidal, Genocidal, Suicidal Sabu. While the roster is slightly outdated, with some notable emissions (no Shelton Benjamin, seriously?) and some characters who are no longer under WWE contract (see Cryme Tyme, Marcus Cor Von, et cetera), the roster is still very solid and offers a bevy of new characters to the series.
Also new this year is the promise of an “ECW Invasion.” Now that the brand has been in place for over a year, this year’s game promises to bring the feel of the old ECW shows to players as best as they can. By adding a new “Extreme Rules” match, players can now take their aggressions out in a most barbaric fashion never seen before in WWE games. Prior to starting “Extreme” matches, players are allowed to select two weapons they will bring to the ring with them. Once the match starts, anything goes. Players can beat each other up in the ring, in the crowd, and all over the arena. Fan interaction plays a crucial part in this new match type.
Trying to mimic the old days of ECW, players can interact with fans. If they choose, they can bring their opponents over next to the guard-rail where a fan may be holding a drink. Players will then toss their opponent over the rail, take a fans’ drink, and pour it over the opponent, leaving them cold, wet, and embarrassed. But how could I mention the “Extreme Rules” matches without adding in the coup de gras of the matches…the addition of fire. Once a “special” attack is stored up, players can then go back to the old ECW days of Tommy Dreamer and light a table on fire and then toss their opponent right through it. It may be brutal, but ECW fans would have it no other way.
In addition to these new tweaks, a revamped control scheme will make submission wrestling more than just mere button mashing. A pressure system will help you cause the most damage on your opponent. The addition of new moves to the game will help players create the superstars they long for. The promise of downloadable content, with rumors of downloadable superstars being made available, adds to the list of possible dream matches that players can have in Smackdown vs. Raw 2008. Plus a new “24/7” mode replaces the previous “Story” modes that have appeared in the game. Little is known as of now about “24/7” mode, but the possibility of it being a more in-depth career mode definitely is very exciting. Fans, get ready for what might be the most in-depth, exciting WWE game to date. |
