WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 (PS3)

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Editorial reviews

Product Description
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 upholds the franchise's commitment to delivering the definitive video game simulation of live WWE programming.

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Customer reviews

review by: SS date: 2008-11-12 rating:
Good Game
I must admit the game is quite similar to last years version however thq have made a lot of improvements such as the graphics, the roster and matches. Online is the same as last year poor connections (signals) so when you go into a match, the connection will stutter a lot. Road to wrestlemania is good and interesting, career mode is a bit boring because you easily win and finally the tag teams are very good, the tag teams have been a much needed improvement from previous games.

Overall i believe the game is enjoyable and can get boring after a while, if you are a true wwe fan like myself then you should buy this game

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review by: Critic Extraordinaire date: 2008-11-08 rating:
A Real Improvement.
The Smackdown game series since about Here Comes the Pain has been on a downward spiral. Many loyal fans of the series abandoning it because they felt like THQ were putting the minimal effort into the game, simply because they knew it would sell. In many ways they were justified for turning their back on the series as it gave THQ the wake up call they needed. This game seems like one of the very first games in the series that a hell of a lot of effort was put into it. With a massive roster, an easy to use yet detailed controlling system and a beefed up tag system this game was bound to be a success. First off THQ needs to reassure the abandoning fans that this is a very different game from the originals. One way in doing that is giving them one thing the fans have always wanted, a "create a finisher" mode. The very notion that you can now create your own finisher is something that the fans think will make a massive difference to such a game. Anyway, the modes are going to be discussed in a minute but in a nutshell this game is really good.

The Roster: This contains over 60 wrestlers, none of them legends but the sheer size of the roster itself is enough to allow you to effectively use the newly updated tag team system. The real gem for this particular installment is the announcement that in order to keep the rosters from becoming out dated, THQ are going to finally utilise the Playstation Network by allowing downloadable content. This will not only feature wrestlers but will allow other additions such as possible new storylines or looks for current superstars to match what is going on in TV land. The first announcement of the DLC is although there is not yet a date, superstars Evan Bourne and Ted DiBiase Jr. are confirmed to be a part of it along with a few other little things.

Game Modes: In exchange for the previous installments WWE 24/7 mode, we're now given Road to Wrestlemania and Career Mode. Road to Wrestlemania is essentially a shortened Season Mode starting from around the Royal Rumble and is tailor made for specific superstars. A drawback to this is that you can only play as either Triple H, CM Punk, Undertaker, John Cena, Chris Jericho or Batista & Rey Mysterio as part of a co-op RTW play. There's also a career mode which is basically a never ending thing with no story, it's just fight to earn a shot at a title, win, then fight for another title. You can do that with anyone.

There's also the new Create A Finisher which I haven't tried yet but will get around to eventually. I've never really been fan of the create a wrestler things so if you really want to know then I'd check out other reviews.

To wrap it up in 4 simple words? I Love This Game. It's fun, it's easy and it's packed. The only problem is that when I've managed to complete all the RTW's I can imagine becoming quite un-interested with it until we get the DLC anyway. Hopefully along with new superstars, THQ will be able to give us new RTW storylines and arenas to keep us occupied with the DLC until the next installment. This type of thing will also allow THQ to give us a lot more to the game with constant updates instead of trying to put as much on the disc as possible before release date.

I'm also praying that trophies will follow eventually although it's looking doubtful for this particular installment. I would highly recommend this to anyone and everyone who's a fan of wrestling.

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review by: date: 2008-11-07 rating:
Time for a change
Well after last years medicore ps3 version i was really looking forward to this game,now they understand the hardware better i was expecting something really good.
Unfortunately its not that great at all in fact it just appears to be getting rather stale.
No gm mode,no challenge mode,no hall of fame,no real season mode and very bland graphics.
Yes it certainly looks and plays smoother than last years version but apart from that it feels very watered down.
No legends this year as another game is due in march of next year so presumably they didn't put any in for that reason.
The main game mode this year is the road to wrestlemania mode with different storylines for different wrestlers,but you are limited to a certain few to use so if you dont like triple h,undertaker,cm punk etc you are going to be disappointed.
If you want to take your created wrestler through it then forget it because you cant and you will have to make do with the really poor career mode.
Yes you can take anyone through it but its just a case of fight the challengers that will give you enough stars to proceed,fight for the belt then move on to a different belt....etc,very tiresome indeed.
The much talked about create a finisher is really quite limited in what you can do with it and really doesn't add anything to the game.
It just appears they have run out of ideas.
Downloadable content won't save this either.
Nowhere near as good as here comes the pain which was perhaps the pinnacle of the series.and certainly no no mercy beater.
Time for a different company to get the licence i think.

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review by: date: 2008-11-04 rating:
Fantastic game and got my copy today :)
i ordered my copy on monday 3rd November from shopto.net and i got my copy today 4th November i have been playing it all day finished the road to wrestlemania with triple h it is amazing the game, controls and graphics are top quality, the gameplay is outstanding and i rate this game 5 stars from 5 i really don't think there is much missing apart from am idea i did have that was when it is a title match they should bring the title on the screen to show its a title match like they do on the TV but other than that it is sure gonna be a top seller for WWE fans :)


review by: dave(thepunkyone) date: 2008-10-27 rating:
Revitalizing the SD Series
I've just finished playing the demo of this game and I have to say this game will change the SmackDown series for the first positive in years.

While you can only do single or tag matches on the demo - tag matches are finally exciting and fun. The use of a single momentum bar for the tag team also means you don't have half the screen covered with health displays. The use of Tag finishers is finally in the game too (you can also do individual finishers in tag matches no problem) and the 'hot tag' system is fantastic - it can really change a match if your getting your butt handed to ya.

If the demo is anything to go by, this is going to be the game which levels with No Mercy (N64) or possibly surpasses it. DLC online as well means that unlike last years installment, this game is not going to get boring in a hurry!

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