Here is my Smackdown VS. Raw 2011 review again. For Xbox 360. I thought I would post it up again in its three part entirety.
Games are continuing to change. The people who make them, developers, are always finding new ways to present them. With that, it is why in Smackdown VS. Raw 2011 you get straight in the ring as practice (once you get past all the load screens) then unlock 10g if you complete all the moves.
For those new to the WWE franchise, something like that is helpful. But experienced WWE gamers like myself could even find it helpful too.
Debuting in the 2010 update, the storyline creator, has not been dropped for 2011. Smackdown VS. Raw 2011 can apparently boast the largest roster compared to any WWE game before it. It could be 2014 until we can simulate an x-rated nude mud wrestling match between created superstars Mariah Carey and Beyonce Knowles for the Queen of Pop Diva title. Then, with the new 'WWE family first policy' - no chance!
The beauty of WWE games is any search online with the keywords, CAW smackdown raw xbox, you should find the games have created a community that helps you to go so far to create your dream matches. The information you need to create your characters to put inside the game are all there on those sites.
CAW means, create a wrestler. But, like almost everything else on this blog, its probably unreliable and wrong.
The default controls remain the same unless you change them. B and left stick for an Irish whip for instance. My first gripe is with the visuals. Figures really do look like something out of like Wallace and Gromit - unlike what they appeared in 2009 or 2010. The clayness of the characters make the simulation less realistic. I think though, unsuccessfully, realism is what they were trying to achieve.
"Why are you hitting yourself? Are you mad at yourself?"
The menu buttons look lame. But it is weird how I say that yet in 2009 the main options were just large bolded white text that gave an arcade feel. The other options are even more simpler in that version. The keep it simple stupid (KISS) idea must have worked.
Maybe there could be an ability to throw your opponent over the barrier then fight amongst the crowd? Also, new and unusual weapons in hardcore matches could jazz up the game. For now, I've created former WCW superstar Bill Goldberg. The muscle who had pretty much every other wrestler on the WCW roster job to him. Which if you know the business, means, give away wins for the credibility sake of your opponent by accepting the request of management to be defeated. Yes, the concept was have some former bald footballer dude come in, enter matches, spear, jackhammer then go away with the victory every one hundred and sixty or so times without being defeated once. It was brash, but it worked. Most matches only lasted under thirty seconds which made jobbing all the more obvious.
The nitty gritty of Smackdown VS. Raw 2011 would have to be an exhibition match. Playing what this game is all about though, feels lame and extremely awkward. The gameplay moves so quickly, it is not like a televised match on what is now called 'WWE HD', but like a film being fast forwarded without the ripples. What makes part of that description are the cameras that come in from all angles when you do a signature or finishing move. Combined with the play-doh wrestlers it is well, something else.
I really do think THQ must do this on purpose and that is fuck up a franchise that I thought was going strong until the 2009 game. There is a likelihood that the game may need more time to grow on me but at the date of this review? I strongly recommend purchasing the 2009 game and find out how better of a simulator it is compared to this.
Roid rage.
Official Xbox Magazine gave the game a six. I will join and stand by that.
Them fighting words?
I am glad that I said the things I said about Smackdown VS. Raw 2011, because upon more play - I can't believe how low Yuke's Media have taken the franchise.
What goes hand in hand with any WWE game is everything about the WWE. This too, has fallen to the bottom of the credibility ladder.
Again, you have characters that look like plastic figurines, the flow of every match is buggy as you could have, for instance, Maryse magically slide across the ring by herself when Eve is about to do her signature move. Triple H falling off a ladder, hitting the ropes, then in the next frame he has somehow found himself laying on the floor of the ring mat.
It appears Yuke's have decided to steal other game idea's such as the Street Fighter character selection menu and use it themselves. The thing is, it just doesn't wash. In matches, your characters will have strength bars below where they're positioned on the screen instead of fixed in the top corners. It is almost like a Final Fantasy game. I like the mechanics of how you play, I won't say more.
Plus, there is a glitch that if you delete your saved game but keep your created superstars, they go out the window too.
WWE Smackdown VS. Raw 2011 is poor in many aspects. OXM and GameInformer were too generous in their reviews. The game scored an eight. You've got to be fucking kidding me.
Get the 2009 release if you want a weighty wrestling simulator. If you can do without the latest roster and storyline creator then do so. If what the 2009 update had what the 2011 update has, it would be an awesome experience.
Maybe they'll make up for this lousy effort come this time next year.
I was harsh on the game the two times previously but I would like to elaborate on the physics engine, definitely a step up or two from WWE games in years gone by.
You can control your character to suplex ecetera in any direction you wish. Weapons can be used as more than just a chair shot to the head. You can put your opponents leg through one like a guillotine. So, there are new additions to the franchise this year that should be noted.
The WWF attitude era would have to be the best era in wrestling entertainment history. Also, the WCW/NWO period. What do we have now? It happens to be a daycare centre for little baby girls. WCW no longer is in formation but you can re-create them in the game - the rights to WCW must be good for something as you can select the logo as a team or alignment. Oh, don't forget ECW too.
I fucking hate this WWE universe addition, it's annoying. Every match you play especially if you only want to test your created superstars gets recorded down in the WWE universe. Which what the name might suggest to you, is a name to describe pretty much the entire game... everything that happens in Smackdown VS. Raw 2011 revolves around that except the storyline creator. It messes up the game as you would like to keep those contests separate like I do.
A money in the bank match.
The 2009 offering could have had everything good about the 2011 release. A theory I have is that Yuke's Media intentionally did some crap things this time round and will make up for it in 2012. Meanwhile, they're keeping the games alive and not pulling all their aces all at once. Do you know what I mean?
Layeth the smackdowneth.
