WWE Day of Reckoning
Short overview sentence that summarizes the review goes here.
Introduction
Fans who thought Wrestlemania XIX sucked, will rejoice in the gaming perfection that is WWE Day Of Reckoning (DOR). DOR comes packed with an updated Create-A-Wrestler (CAW) section, licensed music, new roster, extended entrance creation, new moves, new arenas, smoother graphics, improved gameplay and a story-line that is more enthralling then the recent excuse for entertainment I have seen on TV.
DOR boasts many new features that make it the best wrestling game on the market but most notable is the School of Hard Knocks. The School of Hard Knocks is THQ’s answer to the traditional story-mode. It cleverly lets you create a wrestler and then take that wrestler all the way from wrestling development school with the coach to prime-time programming on the brand of your choice, Smackdown or RAW. You cannot take rostered superstars on the same path, however DOR forces gamers to learn and understand how to properly create wrestlers, which is a necessary skill for all new-age wrestling gamers.
DOR takes pointers from every single popular wrestling game on the market and adds small elements of gameplay that make the game as realistic as possible. For example, the submission system has now changed and incorporates a button-mashing fest that allows both wrestlers to tap the A button furiously in an attempt to either make the other submit or to simply escape the hold. Allow your fingers may receive a pounding and your hand may ache for a day or two, it’s still worth it.
Graphics
DOR has a much closer camera angle this time round that brings you closer to the action. This angle also enforces the need for THQ to improve the graphics because the wrestlers appear a whole lot larger and in your face this time around. The wrestlers themselves appear a whole lot smoother and the size ratios are a lot more realistic. For example, if John Cena wanted to lift the Big Show, he would have to tap the ‘A’ button furiously to raise the momentum lift bar. The graphics are so good that THQ includes no real pictures of any of the wrestlers, even in the character menu, instead opting for snapshots of the character’s animated faces. Although some gamers would enjoy seeing real pictures and movies of their favourite wrestlers, THQ has deliberately taken these out to allow created wrestlers to have their face in the character selection menu by zooming in and taking snapshots; there is even an option that allows you to change the facial expression and lighting of the wrestler’s face during the snapshot.
The entrance creation aspect has been drastically improved since its birth in Wrestlemania XIX. It now allows you to create the most realistic looking original entrances ever before seen in any wrestling game. Not to mention how mind-blowing the character’s entrances are. I was particularly impressed with fireworks and lighting. The firework and smoke effects are much more plentiful this time around and I was amazed to see the entire ramp go up in realistic flames as my CAW strolled down towards the ring. Character entrances are captured superbly and look exactly like they do on TV.
DOR boasts 12 massive authentic WWE arenas. Some arenas even hold Easter eggs that true wrestling fans will appreciate, like the nicely detailed ambulance that appears in the Survivor Series arena. Each arena has been built to perfection and is modelled from all the recent WWE events. The graphics are all smooth scrolling and once the match is underway there is absolutely zero load-time. You can’t go backstage, but the stage itself is nicely detailed with ramps and various drops that make the out-of-ring experience that much more enjoyable. The Hell In A Cell match comes complete with a roof that actually bends and breaks when you perform powerful moves on it. The crowd backgrounds have also been improved and now the people actually look 3D; their signs and hand movements have also been altered to make the audience seem a bit more dynamic as they cheer you on to glory.
The quality of the story-mode videos isn’t too crash hot, but the animations do allow for your created wrestlers to interact with superstars backstage in amusing situations. It does seem chunky at times, but that’s to be expected when the game inserts your CAW into the scheme of things.
Sound
DOR now comes with actual licensed music. Finally, the wait is over and we can now cause havoc in the ring whilst listening to some decent tunes like ‘Bring The Noise’ by Anthrax & Chuck D and an awesome new song by Breaking Benjamin called ‘Firefly’. These tunes add a whole new fierce side to wrestling and are actually less annoying then the generic rock beats found in previous games. You can also choose these tracks as your CAW’s entrance theme, which is a cool change.
Even though I bagged out Wrestlemania XIX for not having small voice overs, THQ didn’t listen and left them out in this game as well. I can’t see how difficult it is to have the superstars say a few lines when they taunt, for example, I want to hear Ric Flair when he belts out a ‘Wooooo’.
The traditional theme songs are there, minus a few like Randy Orton’s new theme. The in-game sound effects that THQ are known for are back, plus there are a heap of new crowd chants that really create a realistic atmosphere, like the good old ‘You Suck’ chant. The hidden character of ‘Andre The Giant’ even comes with his old chant, which is a bonus.
Gameplay
Like most wrestling games these days, DOR comes with the usual line-up of WWE matches like TLC, Hell In A Cell, Cage, Ladder, Fatal-4-Way, Triple Threat, Hardcore, Tag-Team and Single. The Elimination Chamber match is sadly not there, however it appears in other games on different systems, so I guess THQ have some explaining to do. The most notable match-type is the long-awaited bra-and-panties match that sees you choose 2 female wrestlers and then button-mash to see who can tear each other’s clothes off the quickest. This match is really lots of fun and the female wrestlers look fine, every detail from the frilly underwear to Trish’s cleavage has been included, so get ready for good times. It plays really well and if you get some friends over, the button-mashing side of things is up there with the multiplayer fun of Athens 2004.
The gameplay inside the matches has changed dramatically, it’s like THQ are trialling a new way of wrestling. Every single time you get knocked down you must button-mash the ‘A’ button if you wish to get up. The gamer must also button-mash the ‘A’ button if they want to break from submissions, escape holds and do all sorts of things. The ‘A’ button gets a mighty thumping and after a good hour of gruelling battles, you will definitely feel the pain in your hand and wrist, let me tell you. I think this new aspect of wrestling is a step in the wrong direction for wrestling games; I don’t want to have to nurse my hand in ice after playing DOR with friends. Its fun for the first few matches, but the repetition is what hurts you.
The story mode is brilliant. I think the downfall of Wrestlemania XIX’s story mode meant that THQ needed to come up with something special if they were to keep Gamecube fans interested. This time around you are required to create a CAW and then take him/her through the WWE, in an attempt to become the champion of either RAW or Smackdown. It is long enough to take even the best of gamers at least 3-4 hours to complete, each time they play it. Each storyline is different, depending on what brand you choose, so in order to get the most out of DOR you need to at least play both brands; things are unlocked along the way too, so its worth the effort. The Smackdown brand choice sees you interact with the New Ministry and deal with superstars like The Undertaker and Big Show. The RAW brand choice sees you interact with the Evolution and meet superstars like HHH and Ric Flair. Both story modes are as good as each other, but the RAW brand is probably the easier of the 2 and should be attempted first.
As your CAW progresses through the story mode you are required to perform certain missions based on each wrestling match. For example, during WWE developmental school, The Coach might demand that in your next match you perform at least 2 high flying moves and 1 submission. Failure to complete these missions will result in a restart of the match. These missions to make for exciting gameplay as you often have to work hard to complete them, especially in the later matches leading up to winning the championship belt. How your CAW performs in each of these matches is also important because you are judged on how well you perform your moves and how many times you counter the other wrestlers. When you are judged you are given a score that determines how you went in the match; attribute points and cash are then awarded to allow you to build your CAW as you progress. It is impossible to get 100% attributes because you cannot perform perfectly in every match. Therefore, the days of having super-unbeatable CAW’s is well and truly over.
There is a wider move set this time around and fans will impressed with the inclusion of nearly every move imaginable, even some moves from Asian superstars are included. Wrestlers can now use the ‘A’ button when they have a weapon to perform weapon grapples, which makes it a hell of a lot easier to get people on top of tables. The commentator’s box can once again be smashed through and when this occurs, the 2 chairs behind the box become available to be picked up.
Countering moves has become one of the main gameplay aspects in this game. So much so that you can even alter the counter sensitivity in the game settings. Each wrestler has an attribute rating to show how good they are at countering, which is also new. The countering system is replicated from Wrestlemania XIX but it is now really easy to counter moves and you will find that other wrestlers will counter you nearly every second or third move, which can become really annoying. I think THQ have gone slightly overboard in the countering system and I much prefer the old days of No Mercy when reversing moves wasn’t so common.
Lastability
DOR does have a lot of features that make it far superior then any other wrestling game on the Gamecube, but there is still a lot of room for improvement. The gameplay is similar to that of Wrestlemania XIX and if you are still playing XIX with your friends then there really isn’t much need to go out and purchase DOR immediately, because there isn’t a great deal of difference. If you want to experience the bra and panties match, improved CAW mode or the new story mode, then it’s worth the money.
DOR allows the gamer to save about 20 created wrestlers and even gives you heaps of templates to create classic superstars in seconds, like Stone Cold and Hulk Hogan. Once you have completed story mode twice, there is no need to complete it again; as you unlock the ability to give new CAW’s enough attribute points to make them strong enough to compete with the superstars.
The different types of matches and new gameplay features should keep any wrestling fan amused for at least 2-3 week. New fans of the genre are in luck because DOR comes packed with training tutorials and lectures that can bring new gamers up to speed in a matter of hours. Completing the training will also unlock something special.
Creating new wrestlers from beginning to end will take on average about 5 hours. DOR takes creating wrestlers very seriously and allows the gamer to perfectly create everything from the entrance to the menu screen facial shot. Some gamers might find this boring, but if you’re the type of artistic gamer that enjoys building things and putting effort into creation, then DOR is certainly the game for you.
Overall
Although I expected a whole lot more from this game, it still suffices as a solid wrestling game that is bound to keep me entertained for weeks to come. DOR does come at a reasonable price and it is definitely worth the money, especially if you want an up-to-date wrestling game with all new superstars and arenas.
DOR includes an awesome new gameplay aspect this is worth one final mention. The new ‘Momentum Shift’ allows a wrestler to immediately turn the tables and go from being a beaten mess to a super-charged fighter. If your wrestler is suffering a deadly beating, DOR will allow you to use one ‘Momentum Shift’ per match, which allows you to grapple the opponent in the same fashion as a special move. Performing one of these will swap the spirit of both wrestlers involved. This creates a whole new atmosphere that is exactly like the stuff you see on TV.
There are better wrestling games on the market on other systems, but if you’re a hardcore Gamecube fan and don’t mind a bit of wrestling, then DOR is definitely worth a purchase or even just a rent. DOR is a multi-player, button-mashing, fun-fest that is bound to be the gaming hit of any party, so if your friends love a bit of wrestling, then don’t pass this one up.
FINAL SCORE
86 %
