WWE Raw 2
Score: 70% ESRB: Teen Publisher: THQ Developer: THQ Media: DVD/1 Players: 1 - 4 Genre: Sports/ Fighting
Graphics & Sound: Once again, Raw serves up a serious can of whoop-ass in the graphical department with the second WWE (or WWF, if you're old-school) game for the Xbox. It's uncanny how closely player models resemble their real-life counterparts. Both inside the ring and out, you'll be able to stare down your favorite male and female wrestlers, then rock their world. Even the fans have gotten a facelift. Instead of sprites, they have finally joined the real world and become 3D. And then there was audio, or the lack thereof. Sure, inside the squared circle you'll hear the roar of the crowd. But that aside, WWE Raw 2 has a terrible time with everything else that is auditory. Starting with the menu system, hearing the same song over and over; then delving into the text-only Story mode ... it's enough to drive a person insane. Seriously though, with the amazing graphics and outstanding wrestler-specific moves, you'd think that THQ would hook up with World Wrestling Entertainment and create a Story mode that has wrestlers which actually talk (yes, please). On a positive note, you can enter your own Custom Soundtracks in Raw 2, which means that you can not only create a wrestler, but add your own music to boot! Can anyone sing I am a real American for Hulk Hogan!?
Gameplay: Ahhh... Raw 2 is nothing if it isn't a rollercoaster of ups and downs. First off, THQ heard your cries. Raw 2 offers a lot more match types than the last pitiful attempt they had. Now you'll be able to enjoy everything from Singles and Tag Team matches, to specialty matches like the King of the Ring and the Royal Rumble. Does this all matter? Sure it does, because it will help break up the monotony of the boring gameplay. If you take Raw from the last time it was released, and you add more match types, a much better Story mode, and a slightly better wrestling setup, but keep the slow, tiring gameplay, you'd have this year's Raw 2. For a game that is only being released on the Xbox, it sure doesn't use the power of the console. The matches you'll face are so incredibly slow and drawn out that you'll be begging someone to lay you out with a table, ladder, or chair. Fortunately, Raw 2's Season mode shows a lot of promise. It isn't polished yet, but given time, this could compete with, or even topple, the Story mode of THQ's PS2 wrestler, Smackdown!. You will be able to take your wrestler through his or her career, all the while developing your personality by the things that you do. You will be given the opportunity to decide what you want your wrestler to do during each of the matches you're not involved in for each night. This means anything from setting up traps for players you don't like, or encouraging those you do. If you really want to get someone's attention, you can also interfere with their matches, or call them out in front of a sold out arena. Sound's great on paper, doesn't it?!?!?! Unfortunately, it doesn't implement that well. Don't get me wrong, it is a bit addictive trying to manipulate fellow WWE Superstars, but eventually it is just the same old story replaying in your mind and on the screen. Oh, did I mention that you can play up to 4 players (at any time!) during the Season Mode??? Well, you can, which makes for another fun addition.
Difficulty: There are three difficulty settings in Raw 2, but whichever you choose, you'll see that your match outcome will truly be based on one thing, and one thing only... technique. If you figure out the intricate moves for each wrestler, you'll be able to do well. On the other hand, Raw 2 is based on wrestling, which has its own surprises in unbelievable comebacks. Because of this, it does get a bit frustrating when you're pummeling the computer and it all of a sudden kicks your ass and gets the one-two-three.
Game Mechanics: Raw 2 has definitely improved over its predecessor. However, the controls in Raw 2 just don't seem to flow like other wrestling titles out there. The problem may very well be that the game is just too slow, but whatever the case, controlling your wrestlers seems a bit clunky. One thing I do love about Raw 2's matches is the random referee. Some will count fast, some will count slow, who you'll get, nobody knows. It will be interesting to see where the Raw series goes from here. There is a ton of potential, and with some serious tweaks, the franchise could take off. But one thing is for sure: The gameplay needs to be sped up tenfold. It is just too slow to be as fun as Smackdown!. If you have a choice, you'll definitely enjoy wrestling on your PlayStation 2 much more.
-Woody, GameVortex Communications AKA Shane Wodele
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