Review for Smackdown vs Raw 2011 (PS3)

I have a love/hate relationship with the Smackdown franchise. It seemed that every game since Here Comes The Pain has been a severe disappointment. Sure, some have been great (Last year's game being a wonderful return to form), but most after a few months have either been left to gather dust or been traded in.

This year? THQ hit this game out of the park!

As I say, last year's edition was a return to form with a mass of longevity and a wonderful overhaul and simplification of the controls (which had been my biggest hate of the games over the passed few years). My worry about this game was the hype. THQ seemed to be making a lot of bold promises; promises that I felt would be broken with the usual 'Not enough time. Maybe next time'. However, this year they did not disappoint.

Graphics and Sound
I will start with what I call 'The Garnish'. The fact is, it doesn't matter how good this game or sounds if the game doesn't play well. Sure, it helps that John Cena looks like Cena and that the familiar theme tunes are recreated, but they are not what makes a great game. Arena looks immense and impressive and a lot of the effects, fire in inferno matches particularly look great. I will of course say that hair is still a big issue, particularly on the Divas who all look like they are wearing a wig that cannot move. There hasn't been that much of an overhaul of anything, but there's no denying how good it all looks.

Playing Modes and Longevity
One of my biggest issues with the Smackdown games has always been the lack of longevity. I used to love the fact that I could play Here Comes The Pain over and over again and hated the linear storylines that the Smackdown games became lumbered with. Last year they helped with the multiple arcing stories and this year it is made even better. Universe mode is almost like that game with you able to play through a whole year of WWE (i.e. Wrestlemania to Wrestlemania) over and over again, storylines weave in and out of weeks of Raw, Smackdown and Superstars with you building up your status and as you do qualifying for title matches and so on, so if you finish only on the Intercontinental title in your first year, you can carry on into the next and see if you can improve to the WWE or World title. This is a great way of doing things and as you play, you also get to unlock new arenas and characters.

So you played that to death? What's next? Well you have Road to Wrestlemania which are the linear storylines featuring Rey Mysterio, John Cena, Chris Jericho and Christian or one with the goal being to end The Undertaker's Undefeated Streak at Wrestlemania using John Morrison, Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, R-Truth or a Create a Superstar. These, being linear, do suffer in their replayability, but as an added bonus, these are great little modes to play.

After that? Seriously? It would take you a good few weeks to play every variation of the matches available and the extensive Create a Superstar section means that you could literally create yourself, your friends or anyone who you think deserves to be in this game.

Multiplayer and Controls
I have to admit that last years' game had a wonderful set of controls and the thought that THQ would change it in any way filled me with dread. Thankfully they haven't. I was able to pick up this game and play straight away, without having to spend an hour reading the instruction manual (Which is pretty good and extensive for those who didn't play the last one). The upshot of this, is that if you do have some friends who have played the last game it will be a lot easier to invite them over for a Smackdown session, without having to spend the first few plays getting to grips of controls and calling each other cheats for knowing how to do a particular move. With six player action and multiple modes on offer, this is a great game for just the one or six players to enjoy.

Online Play
Now, although I didn't spend a lot of time here, due to my internet connection never being too good, I did enjoy this mode. For me, the online play was a lot smoother and the options have been vastly improved with a new Royal Rumble mode that allows twelve players to take part at any one time. I only tried this once and found there to be a lot of lagging in the movements (probably due to my connection more than anything), but in one on one matches, this is some of the best online gaming I've played in a Smackdown game.

Overall
Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 is a perfect wrestling game and possibly the best and most satisfying wrestling-based game I have played in a long while. Those people who complain about how there hasn't been that much of an update from the last version need to realise that THQ built on the great stuff that was in that game and with those extra bells and whistles made a game that could easily see me through until the release of Smackdown vs. Raw 2012 and it has been a long time since I have been able to say that!

Final Thoughts
As close to perfection as you can get in a wrestling game. If you are a wrestling fan, go out and buy it and if you're not… still go out and buy it!