WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008

First Glance:

This years wrestling title, I picked it up used which made it even a better buy. If you like instant action and great multiplayer fun while having a few brews with the guys and gals, this makes a great addition to the busygamer collection.

The Short Story:

I don’t religiously follow the wrestling franchises, but that’s what makes me like this game alot – the character creation is great, so it puts me and my friends actually in the game! Awesome! You can choose any superstar to go through the story mode, or make your own. You follow each day of the year with training, team ups, matches, making money to purchase moves and legendary characters while upgrading your abilities. The plot varies with which you side join, RAW or Smackdown. Both are still kinda shallow in story content, not unlike the real deal, haha – so it’s about par with all previous versions.

The Score:

I am giving this a busy gamer rating of 5. Although you can spend hours in story mode, you can actually just simulate a year or two and you end up pretty much in the same place. Leaving open the option of instantly jumping into the jam and slam or roleplaying some of the story here and there.

Body of review:

For years now I have always been a fan of these games. All the way back to the N64 I recall countless evenings of ranting and raving with roomies, battling till the wee hours of the am, being able to hold the coveted “random obscene word” titled belt of the house.  This fun continues here in this 360 version. The moves and combos were a bit sketchy at first, but after surpassing the learing curve I don’t have much trouble coming back to the game after a week break, being able to kick some computer butt in total chair bashing fashion.

The moves are bigger better and harder than ever. Plus blood! Real dripping on the mat blood action that makes the matches more realistic and rewarding. Lots of weapons that combine with your special moves make nice suprises for your staggered and swaggered opponent.

The character customization is great, I have as much fun making my friends for on screen bashing as I do with actually the bashing part, which sometimes goes in their favor anyhow. Layers are pretty endless with tons of intros and options. You can even add your own song from your hardrive (this is a must and plus for custom junkies like myself). I wish I would have gotten this game sooner, with 2009 coming out I hope they keep all the good stuff in this game plus maybe a better story mode (rumors are that it will be co op!).

In conclusion this makes a great addition to a busy gamer lifestyle, replay is great, graphics are pretty much the best they have ever been, and I see me going back to this quite a bit till I pick up next years. Or even if I dont I still will keep battling friends over my custom texas tag team title belt. It’s mine dammit.

Crutchboy – Out

www.busygamer.com