SmackDown Vs Raw 2008

I have to say that with this years installment of the WWE Smackdown series I am kind of disappointed as it displays a true step back in the progression of the overall series. Here are a few pro's and con's about the game that I think anyone should consider before buying the game.

Pro: They have overhauled the control system and fighting styles, for example if you're a high flyer like Rey Mysterio you can pull off some of his very spectacular moves with just a one button push simplifying it so anyone can play it like a pro. The hardcore fighting style also gives you an extensive controlling system when pulling off weapon offense, for example if you are a hardcore wrestler you can have a chair and do the classic pillmanizing move of placing an opponents ankle within the chair and stomping on it in an attempt to break your opponents ankle. Flaming tables have also made their debut and this is truly the best looking thing about it as when you're playing an ECW extreme rules match you can recreate some classic moments.

Con: The roster is very very disappointing this year with the exclusion of the former tag team champs London and Kendrick or Kevin Thorn to make room for lackluster diva's that let's be honest nobody will play as. This is always a major criticism I have every year with the WWE games as there are always big stars that you would naturally expect to be in but aren't. If you don't include DX which aren't playable from the very start you only actually have 1 tag team in Cryme Tyme which as I'm sure you can imagine if pretty stupid when you have 2 separate tag team championships.

Pro: The Legends roster. Where THQ let you down with the main roster they make it up to you with the legends roster as every year they take votes from fans as to which legends they would love to see in future games and this year shows that they haven't ignored the fans. Focusing a lot on ECW they have Foley, Terry Funk & Sabu as ECW legends (Rightly so). Then we have the returning Rock, Austin, Shane O Mac, Piper & Bret Hart and 2 new additions with "Ravishing" Rick Rude and the Returning Mr. McMahon.

Con: WWE 24/7 Mode. This is honestly a big disappointment for the game. THQ promised us a brand new mode that combined Season Mode and GM Mode, they also promised us it would be brilliant and exciting but all we got was repetition and boredom. There are however new additions to the mode that make it sort of interesting, they give you the option on your days off to do things like rest yourself up after a hard days work or do some promotional work like a press conference or commercials. You also have the option to star in a movie for a day (Honestly how many movies do you know that are filmed in a day?) Doing such things like resting yourself up to lower your fatigue however seriously damage your popularity, so to balance the both are extremely difficult.

All in all it is a good, entertaining game that is worth at least a purchase and a few rounds on your PS3. I haven't had much go of the online mode yet but the ranking system seems pretty easy to understand and simplistic so honestly get it and decide for yourself whether you want to keep it or not.

Let's face it, WWE Smackdown vs Raw is a tried and tested format. You get to play as your favourite wrestlers, get to create your own superstars and that's just about it. Sure they made it a little more interesting when they introduced the GM mode, but this soon lost its appeal. By the time I'd bought 2007, I was getting pretty fed up with it! But this latest offering is much better than its predessors.

For a start, it's been glammed up for PS3 and for WWE's first offering on the new console it's pretty impressive. The graphics are great with some fabulous lighting effects and special touches during the entrance sequences. Special detail has obviously been added to the major superstars such as Triple H, Undertaker and John Cena. But as far as graphics go, the movements are fluid and it does look quite realistic.

Gameplay is not that much different. The enfuriating stamina system rears its ugly head, but it can be disabled easily. You often find yourself getting very frustrated when controlling your character as it often appears as if they are trying to fight someone in the crowd instead of fight their opponent. Ultimate grapples and finishers can be performed much easier on this new game too.

You have several different modes to pick from. A much better career mode presents a much more in-depth and more realistic wrestler experience. However GM modes and the new tournament modes leave little to be desired. The introduction of ECW soon wears off, however the extreme rules matches are a little fun but become less interesting after a while.

Overall, this is a good offering from THQ and Jaks, but there's still room for improvement. Although it is a very good game if you're a wrestling fan, I wouldn't reccomend it to someone who isn't. It's not a PS3 essential, but it's a very good offering nonetheless and great fun for us wrestling fans.

this game is amazing i just loved it soo much and its worked perfectly thank you soo much i would love to do a business with you again in future thnx a lott