WWE '12

The problem with a game series that releases yearly titles is that the games tend to stagnate. The next game is generally just an update rather than a completely new and renovated title, a few minor tweaks packaged a something new and amazing.  So after 7 yearly updates to the Smackdown vs Raw franchise of games, it is well overdue for a revamp and a new look and hence we've ended up with WWE '12.

The new game from WWE game staples THQ and Yukes is being sold as 'Bigger, Badder, Better', and a chance to 'experience the new WWE'.  So does it live up to that hype, is this a totally new direction for the somewhat stale series and the answer is no.  At the end of it all the game is still created by the same companies that have been making wrestling games since the very first WWF Smackdown way back in 2000, so there are no completely new and fresh faces in the series.  But it is not all bad and same old, same old as there are a few nice little touches to the game that show that with pushes in the right direction the game series could go onto the next level.

The first of these new touches are the new camera system that recreates the TV world of the WWE in the most realistic way yet.  The new system removes the HUD, uses all the camera work & action shots that are used in the TV shows to make you feel more like you are watching a show, opposed to playing a video game.  The camera system accompanied by a more TV presentation style WWE Universe & Road to Wrestlemania story mode make the game fell more real and like a TV show.  This does however lead me to the RTWM game mode which I personally don't like.

The Road to Wrestlemania could have been so good but instead it is a game mode where you don't get to select your character, you do a bit of fighting, press a button when prompted and then the cinematics take over.  It is a mode that is cinematically driven and when you are playing what is essentially a fighting game, watching videos isn't what you want to be doing.  It is also rather infuriating when you beat down on an opponent and press the button when prompted only for the cinematic to cut in where your character then takes a beating and/or loses to a guy you have just destroyed in the ring.  This game mode could have been so much more and if they had spent a bit more time integrating this mode into the Universe mode then there could have been something truly amazing to kick this series revamp off with.

The control system is also not to far removed from the previous series and with a bit of time and even a control layout shake up you can make it feel even more like the previous games.  The controls are not really anything new or revolutionary in all honesty, the reversal system has been changed and can get take awhile to get used to but you'll either pick it up with no problem or spend most your matches infuriated with the game while getting your ass handed to you by your opponent.  The computer A.I. has also had a tweak and has a tendency to be too aggressive but then again how often do real wrestling stars stop during a match to look blankly at the other wrestling whilst waiting for a grapple or slap to the chops.  In general I think it can be said that the opponent A.I. has been developed to make it more realistic to a real match, now if only they could sort out the referee and the commentary then it would be an almost brilliant package.

There is also an extensive Creation mode where you can create a superstar, moveset, complete entrance, finisher, arena and storylines, all of which can be uploaded online for others to rate and download your creation.  There is everything here to create classic ECW arena's, storylines from old or current shows and play them out in your created arenas.  If you don't fancy the Smackdown show in the Universe mode then you can change the brand to something you have created.

In overview this game is not a completely new invention in the series of wrestling games but it has the potential to be something amazing if pushed in the right direction and providing the makers listen to the suggestions from the ever loyal fanbase.  If you like wrestling games and want a game that makes it feel like you are in the show and a game where have almost complete control over the world of WWE then this is the game for you.  You may have noticed that I have not mentioned the online aspect of the game and the reason for that is the server's are unavailable on such a regular basis that I don't feel it worth me talking about.