WWE (formerly known as WWF/WWE SmackDown! (2000-2004) and WWE SmackDown vs. Raw (2004-2010) is a series of games developed by Yuke’s and published by THQ. The game is based on a show called “wrestling”, namely wrestling federation WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). Until 2004, it carried only the name of one of the WWE brands – SmackDown !, since 2004, the second, which has become more important, brand – Raw has been included in the name. Since 2011, THQ has announced a new name for the games series – now, the line will be called WWE, and the first game in the line was WWE ’12.
The series began with WWF SmackDown! in 2000, and was developed exclusively for the Sony PlayStation line. Starting with WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw, released in 2004, has been developed for other home consoles including the PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS and Wii, as well as mobile platforms. In Japan, the game was released under the name Exciting Pro Wrestling until 2005. Since SmackDown vs. Raw 2006, THQ began publishing the game in Japan under a generic title.
The game was received quite warmly, and WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 was ranked #31 and #28 (on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 lists respectively) on IGN’s “Top 100 Games” list. WWE is one of the best-selling games, with 47 million copies sold in 2009.
Gameplay
With the release of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 saw the introduction of a new game mechanic, a new control and grip scheme called “Ultimate Control Moves”. Unlike previous games in the series, when the player needed only two buttons – capture and strike, in the new game, players were given the opportunity to choose the position for the capture and continue the capture with the attack, which depended on the position (for each position, several strikes and attacks were provided) . For example, a player could stand in position to conduct a suplex, and after that conduct any of several suplexes – the player chose it himself. Before the release of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008, the players demanded from the developers to develop the submission system. The developers heard the fans of the series, and the new game introduced a new submission system, in which the player needed to move the analog stick on the gamepad to force the opponent to submit, but the opponent will do everything possible to break free, or else force you to submit if he holds a submission hold .
In every game in the SmackDown vs. Raw, a human figure was displayed on the screen, which showed what injuries and in what parts of the body the wrestler received. The more damaged any part of the body, the more successful the pain grip on it will be. The color indicated how severe the damage was – yellow for minimal damage, orange for minor damage, and red for severe damage. On SmackDown vs. Raw 2010, this system was cut out, and damage could only be recognized by the type of wrestler – if something is damaged, he will hold on to it with his hand, or limp (in cases with leg injuries). In WWE ’12, the damage indicator system returned – when you press the right bumper of the controller next to the enemy, you can see damage to it, as well as hit the legs, arms or head. At the same time, you can see your damage only by the behavior of the fighter. There are four main ways to win a match in the game – hold, submission, knockout, win by countout; there is also a draw. With the appearance of the referee in the ring in WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It, there was an opportunity to win by disqualification. By the way, there are several modes in which you can win in other ways – ladder battles (they include Tables, Ladders and Chairs battles), where victory is awarded to the one who removes an object that can only be reached by stairs; a match with tables where you can win by throwing your opponent over the table; Inferno matches, where victory is given to the one who threw the opponent through the fire.
Release WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw allowed players to choose between face (the crowd’s favorite) and heal (the bad guy). Heal will get a bad reaction in the audience, while the face will be warmly received. Heal will try to do “dirty” tricks – attack the referee, use illegal objects (chairs, sticks). Face will fight honestly and raise his spirits at the expense of the audience. All this will lead to one thing – the ability to use your signature move. There are also differences here – the face will make an honest and beautiful reception, while the healer can hit between the legs, or try to strangle.
Release WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 introduced a stamina system to the game, which displayed a wrestler’s stamina as a bar on the screen. During the use of a complex move or when moving quickly, the stamina bar decreased. When the wrestler is in a “resting state” (standing or doing simple tricks), endurance accumulates. When a wrestler’s stamina is depleted, his actions are greatly slowed down. If the stamina is depleted, the wrestler falls to the floor from fatigue, and rises only when the stamina increases slightly. was cut and replaced with a standard one with the release of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008.
The new grapple system came with WWE ’12. Characters now use moves based on the enemy’s physical condition. There are new options for attacking an enemy lying on the floor. The hold system has been reworked – now it has become more difficult for a badly damaged wrestler to escape. The ability to “steal” finishing moves is back. “Return” system “Comeback” allowed the use of a set of certain actions, correctly performing which, the wrestler got the opportunity to use the signature and finishing moves. The system of submissions has changed again – now it has become easier to select a part of the body to perform a technique on it, and in order to get out of a hold or force an opponent to surrender, it has again become you need to quickly press the buttons (this system has become more realistic). Moments of “OMG!” were introduced in the new WWE ’13 – these include breaking the fences, the ring or the commentator’s table. Weight classes will also get an update – now lightweights (like Rey Mysterio) will not be able to lift heavyweights (like Big Show). Holds will now depend not only on the total damage to the wrestler’s body, but also on the strength of the hold.