Today IGN finished unveiling the entire WWE Allstars roster, including the first batch of DLC. Here are your wrestlers:
Legends:
Today IGN released an article detailing the first half of the roster for the upcoming WWE Allstars game. The currently confirmed wrestlers are:
Legends:
Current Superstars: Read More
I had given the game a rent when it first came out almost two years ago, and I gave it a pretty horrible review. I don’t mean horrible as in it is a horrible game, but horrible as in what I actually wrote was horrible. I was tempted to just delete it, but I would rather let it sit there to remind myself how far I’ve come with my writing. Also, in my defense, I think it came from my old website, and I had just copied and pasted it, since I didn’t take my old site as serious as this one. Anyway, I rented the game again from Gamefly for two reasons. First, I am getting really excited for WWE Allstars and wanted to play something that would be a little similar to whet my appetite until the game is released next month. Secondly, I was pretty darn close to getting the Platinum, so I decided to go back and get it. I may have given the demo some horrid reviews, but the game is in fact pretty enjoyable.
First off, the main draw of the game, which sets it apart from the Smackdown vs. Raw franchise, is the roster. Legends of WrestleMania lets you take control of one of thirty-eight WWE “legends” or your own CAW (create-a-wrestler) as you partake in a variety of matches and modes. The roster is full of old wrestlers I’m not familiar with, such as Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, Koko B. Ware, and Kamala. The biggest roster draw are probably the “classics”, such as Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, Andre the Giant, Bret Hart, Yokozuna, Jake The Snake Roberts, The Million Dollar Man, and The Road Warriors. There are also current or recent roster wrestlers, but they appear as they did early in their career. For example, Triple H appears as the Greenwich-blue blood Hunter Herst Helmsley, and is nowhere near as buff as he later became, Shawn Michaels rocks a mullet, and the Undertaker looks almost twenty years younger before he was completely covered in tattoos. The youngest wrestlers to appear in the game (in terms of when they first came to the WWE) are Stone Cold and The Rock, who are indeed legends. There are also four classic managers that appear in the game, including Paul Bearer and Bobby Heenan. The ability to take control of these classic wrestlers is definitely a lot of fun and will fill any WWF/WWE fan with a ton of nostalgia.
When I first heard about THQ’s upcoming WWE Allstars game, I wasn’t interested. It appeared to be unrealistic with over-the-top exaggerations of the wrestlers. It immediately reminded me of WWE Legends, which wasn’t a horrible game, but I preferred the realism and seriousness of the Smackdown vs. Raw series. Also, the fact that it was being hyped as an “online” game was quite unattractive, given the horrible SvR servers that THQ currently has. However, yesterday THQ released a ton of information, screenshots, and videos about the game, and after seeing it in action, I have to admit that my curiosity is quite peaked.
I managed to stumble across a review written by one of the guys over at IGN who got to spend some time with the game. What he had to say basically spells out that this could very well be the best installment of the series. One of the interesting things he mentions is about online play. He was able to play a six-player Royal Rumble match online, and all he had to say was good things…he didn’t mention anything about the game lagging. Anyone who has played any other version of SvR knows that the online matches are always plagued by lag, so if the servers dedicated to SvR 2011 are finally up to the task, this could be what really puts the game series on the maps. However, since he was playing an early version of the game, it could just so happen that there are simply very few people using the servers right now, and that once the game’s full release hits on October 26th, there could be more lag going on. I don’t think anyone will know for sure until later this month, but I will be one of the first to report on it!
Another fun-sounding feature is the Road to Wrestlemania. Not only will you take part in the story of the selected character, but you will also interact with other wrestlers backstage in-between matches. Doing these “side quests”, as the article refers to them, your wrestler will gain the ability to purchase upgrades that increase their stats. This goes for anyone, not just CAWs (create-a-wrestler), so that definitely adds in some fun features. However, what I’m really excited for is the Road to Wrestlemania storyline titled “Versus the Undertaker” where you can take one of the pro wrestlers or your CAW, and attempt to end the Undertaker’s undefeated Wrestlemania streak. That sounds like it will be a blast, and with the confirmation that Paul Bearer is in the game, that storyline is something that I’m really going to enjoy. Read More
As many of you know, I am an avid fan of the THQ game series WWE: Smackdown vs. Raw, despite the fact that I am not a wrestling fan. This game actually makes me a hyprocrit, as I will openly criticize people who purchase each year’s version of Madden, while at the same time I purchase each new edition of SvR. So last month I traded in my copy of SvR 2010, along with some other games, and got enough credit from Amazon to pre-order 2011. I’ve been reading up a lot on it, and I’m getting pretty excited on some of the new things they have to offer.
The most interesting is this concept of a “Universe” mode. When turned on, the game will keep track of who fights who and all wins and losses in exhibition mode. Then, the game will use this information to form alliances and enemies which will be used to enhance the feel of the exhibition mode, and make it feel more like a wrestling match. For example, if you are fighting someone else, and beat them up, chances are they may attack you during your next exhibition match. It can be done on your way to the ring, they can get you in the middle of your match, or they can wait until the match is over before they strike, interrupting your victory celebration in the ring. At the same time, it also means that if you have a tag team partner who you fight alongside frequently, there is a chance they will come to help you out during your singles matches. While all this has been attempted in previous games, it was always a very random and iffy thing, but it sounds like they are concentrating on getting it right this time. While all this has been attempted in previous games, it was always a very random and iffy thing, but it sounds like they are concentrating on getting it right this time. Read More
I went to a taping of WWE’s Smackdown show last night (Tuesday, August 31) at the Times Union Center in Albany (home of AHL hockey!!!), and enjoyed myself quite a bit. The arena about a twelve minute drive from my apartment, tickets were only $25, and the Undertaker was going to be there…all aspects which made me want to go, despite the fact that I haven’t sat down and watched wrestling since the very early 2000′s. I must say that it is a heck of a lot more fun when you’re there as opposed to watching from home.
Note: I did not bring my camera, since I assumed they would be searching and Shell was not around to hide it in her pocketbook. Turns out that cameras are encouraged, just no video cams, so I could have brought it, and if I had known, there would have been a lot more pics. Instead all I have are a few crappy ones I took with my cell phone.
Let me talk about the overall feel in the arena first. It was hot, sweaty, and stinky…I have to say that the stench was far worse than anything I had to endure at PAX East. But the slight discomforts made up for actually being there, surrounding by raving fans who probably believe that the WWE is the same as UFC and other MMAs, in that the fights are real. There were kids, teens, and full-grown adults walking around sporting various WWE shirts, signs, and even belts (professional and makeshift.) To hear the crowd react to the wrestlers in the ring was also pretty cool, from everyone shouting for a fan-fave to kick out of a pin or submission to the crowd booing at the heel when he flaunted to the stands. You could hear everyone say “oooh!” with each chest chop and dropkick that was received. The other mind-blowing reaction was when a wrestler’s theme music hit, indicating they were on their way to the ring. The people got so worked up to see their fan favorites, and it really did make the experience a fun and memorable one. Read More
As I previously mentioned, I snagged tickets to go to my first WWE match for Smackdown tonight. However, I assumed it was going to be a shortened, un-televised match, so I didn’t expect much to happen. As big a fan of the Undertaker as I am, I doubted that he would win the title from Kane simply because the show was going to be un-televised.
However, as I was doing some random searches on the internet, I discovered an interesting fact…Smackdown, when televised on Friday nights, is not a live show. I have always known that Raw was, so I always assumed that Smackdown was also live. Much to my surprise, I discovered that Smackdown is generally filmed on Tuesday nights, but airs on Fridays. That means that the show I see tonight is the show that will air on Friday, meaning that it is possible for the Undertaker to win the title tonight.
The fact that I’m going to a show that will eventually be aired, and am able to watch it three days before the vast majority of the WWE fans, is pretty cool. So if you happen to be a WWE fan and want some nice spoilers, tune in to my blog tomorrow and I’ll give you the juiciest news of what went down.
I first got hooked on WWF wrestling back in the late 90s, after I was introduced to it by “The Legend”, who was obsessed with wresting so much that he would draw wrestlers all the time in art class. After I was hooked on the show, I really got hooked on the games. Despite the fact that I haven’t sat down and watched wrestling in close to ten years, I still continue to love the games, and buy the newest edition each year (side note: I have $62 in Amazon credit from traded in games, and I will be ordering SvR 2011.) So despite my love of wrestling when I was in high school, I never got to see a live match.
Yesterday I was driving to Middletown to visit my dad and some friends, and I had the radio on. Eventually one of the commercials was advertising that Smackdown was coming to the Times Union Center on Tuesday. I said to myself “that would be cool.” Then the commercial went on to say that tickets were available for $15. I said to myself, “wow, that’s pretty cheap, and the Times Union Center is pretty small, so there really isn’t a bad seat in the house.” Then the commercial delivered the killing blow to me…it announced that the main event would be the Undertaker, challenging Kane for the Championship. This was what made me say “ZOMG I AM GOING TO THIS SHOW!” The Undertaker has forever been my wrestling hero, and to be able to see him live in a championship match sealed the deal, and I decided to go.
Thus on Tuesday, at 7:30pm, I will be attending my first wrestling match ever, either with a local friend or Shell. I have no idea who half the current wrestlers are, I have no clue as to what the current story lines are, but all I know is that I will sit through it all for a chance to see the Phenom challenge his brother for the Championship. I’m extremely psyched for this!
I always start off these reviews by saying this…I am no longer a fan of the WWE (I stopped following it in about 2001 or so, back when it was still the WWF). I do not watch it during the week, I don’t follow it online. All I know about whats going on in the WWE is based on each edition of Smackdown vs. Raw that comes out, so my knowledge is generally limited. That being said, I LOVE playing the Smackdown vs. Raw games (to hearby be referred to as SvR), and I tend to purchase the newest edition each year. Normally, there are some minor changes every year, but this years edition (2010) surpasses them all, and I think it is safe to say that SvR 2010 is the best wrestling game ever made.
I guess I will start with the actual in-ring gameplay. SvR 2010 now allows each wrestler to perform 16 strong grapples, as opposed to the old school 8, which means that each wrestler now has a move set that is twice as large. You use the right analog to perform a quick grapple, which is usually a cheesy weak move that wont do much damage, but is a great way to get in a cheap shot (usually a punch, kick, elbow, or quick takedown.) Then if you hold R1 while using the right analog, you will initiate a strong grapple. These are the big, devastating moves such as power bombs, choke slams, suplexes, DDTs, and all that other good stuff. Depending on the direction you push the right analog will result in different holds. For example, R1 and left on the analog will initiate a wrist hold, and R1 and up will start an up-close true wrestler grapple. Once the grapple is initiated, pushing the right analog in any of the four basic directions will result in a different move being performed. So that’s where you get your 16 moves from…four different grapple holds, and four moves for each grapple. You can assign which moves you want for each hold from a menu screen, and there are literally hundreds of moves to choose from. Oh, and lets not forget the grounded grapple moves. When an opponent is lying on the mat, you will be able to perform up to six different moves, depending on where you are standing (head, side, or legs), and if he is lying on his back or face-first.
Read More
I know I always say this, but I feel like I have the need to restate it constantly. I am not a wrestling fan. I havent watched wrestling since 2001 or so. However, I LOVE the WWE series of games. It is such a unique, fun, and interactive fighting game that I find myself constantly getting the most recent version each year. And this year was no exception. I got it in from Gamefly yesterday, and after spending a little under two hours with it, I was sold. I traded in some games to Gamefly and in return kept SvR2010.
The first thing you notice is the training mode. The main menu screen is actually a training mode, where you can do all kinds of moves to your opponent as the game prompts you to do particular ones. This is a great way to quickly get into the action if its your first time, and see what the game has to offer.
I used to love wrestling (the then-WWF) back in the day when I was in high school. It eventually got lame and I stopped following it, though I will occasionally pop it on from time to time to see who is still around and whatnot. Anywho, I wanted to see this movie not only because I liked wrestling, but also because I heard some good things about it.
The movie is about a washed-up, veteran wrestler (Mickey Rourke) who is coming upon the 20th anniversary of his huge title match at MSG. He is still able to wrestle at the amateur/local level, and thus is a bit broke. His family life is no better…he lives alone in a trailer, and has a estranged daughter who hates his guts because he ran out on her when she was little. He is also chasing a stripper (Marisa Tomei- who I was surprised to see decided to truly play a stripper and prance around naked), trying to get her to fall in love with him. He even temporarily gives up on wrestling to become a deli clerk, which was pretty funny.
So the demo came out last night for the new WWE game. Its made by THQ, who made the Smackdown vs. Raw games which I so love. So I thought this game would rock, since it was the same company, just with a very classic roster (ex- Hulk, Andre, Ultimate Warrior, etc.) The demo lets you play as either Hulk or Andre.
I wasnt very pleased with it. The controls suck. They are totally different from SvR, and dumbed down to something that reminds me of an old-school Sega WWF game. For example, you hit square to punch, and x to grapple, and the longer you hold the buttons, the stronger the move. The right analog isnt even used, and I didnt even see any taunts anywhere.
On the plus side, the graphics are improved, in my opinion. Of course, the roster itself is a big seller. However, the controls really turned me off.
I was originally contemplating picking this game up, but now I am avoiding it at all costs.
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