Get WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 Right Now!

After playing this year's brand new Smackdown v.s. Raw 2010 video game for the Xbox 360 for countless hours, I am happy to report that it is hands down the best wrestling game that THQ has put out in several years. All the new additions really make it seem like a totally different game and have added to it's appeal for fans that might have given up on the franchise in years past. I will breakdown my review into 3 sections, Controls, Graphics, and Fun Factor. I will also do a bonus section where I will discuss what I would like to see implemented into future installments of the Smackdown v.s. Raw series. We will start this review off with my thoughts on the Controls...

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Controls

This year's game has shown that with tweaking the controls you already know and love you can make it that much easier to pick up and play. One minor improvement is that they went from having a strike counter on one button and a grapple counter on another button to simply combining the two and mapping them on one button this year. They also toned down on being able to counter non stop like in previous years games so this year you need to pick and choose when you think you could be at risk for the most damage and try to reverse a strike or hold then. Also new this year is the new grappling system where you know can do side grapples which increases your wrestlers moveset up to 16 moves. With the nice streamlining that they have done this year the controls are still pretty simple and easy to master in my opinion. I would rate the controls a solid 4 out of 5.

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Graphics

Every year THQ goes through and does a hell of a job making the most accurate WWE video game product that we have ever seen and this year is no different. The arena's such as RAW and Wrestlemania are screaming authentic and the character models on the majority of the roster is nearly as close to life like as you could get. Since last year many superstars such as Randy Orton and Shelton Benjamin have added new Tattoos to their bodies and THQ once again has added them brilliantly even including the little details like the little splash of the color red on Ortons right arm sleeve tat. I always considered WWE to have the best sports game graphics of any game on the market including the overall favorite the NBA 2K series. We also have the new addition of being able to change the colors of the superstars attires in the "Superstars Threads" mode. If you decide that you think the Undertaker should be wearing all pink, then go change it to pink! This addition definately helps the series get back on track in the right direction. You can also create and design your own logos with the new "Paint Tool". I really can't say anything bad about the graphics other than the occasional annoying glitches that happen during the matches with the new ring ropes that are using the new Havok engine. Sometimes they kind of get tangled on your superstar and look really weird. I would rate the graphics a generous 4.5 out of 5.

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Fun Factor

This is the one catagory that will be lopsided. This years game is hands down the best Smackdown v.s. Raw game in the series so far in my opinion. I have spent so much time on this years game that I have all 1000 achievement points already. It is so much fun. There are so many new features this year that will keep you busy for a long time such as the Create A Story feature where you take control for up to 10 years worth of all WWE programming and PPV's to create your very own dream storylines complete with text, settings, actions and sound effects to accurately recreate whatever your heart desires. You can also still create your own finishers this year plus the added ablility to create a finisher off the top ropes too! Also new this year is the ablility to download or upload created finishers, wrestlers and storylines in the WWE Community feature. The only downside to that feature is that you would be unable to edit any created stars you download so you had better hope that the person that uploaded the CAW has the correct moveset and attire because thats the final product. We also have a huge and current roster of over 65 people including hidden unlockable legends in the Road to Wrestlemania modes. With the strong possiblilty of having some future DLC for the game we should end up with the most accurate roster ever seen on a SVR game. We also got over 20 new tag team moves that we were supposed to get in last years game along with close to 200 new moves overall in the create a move mode. Royal Rumble has been reinvented this year and now includes finishers designed only for the Rumble match. We got character specific Rumble entrances and moves, and all new mini games to conquer when we try to throw someone out of the ring. One of the last new features I want to touch on is the WWE Rivals deal. You can go in and change everyone on the rosters allies and rivals that will in turn affect when you play certain matches by allowing them to run in and try to alter the matches endings. Whether it's the Undertaker appearing in the ring to deliver a Tombstone or Triple H running in with a sledgehammer, you'll never know when these random attacks or assists will occur. All in all this years game is my personal favorite SVR of the franchises storied history. I will give the fun factor a top notch 5 out of 5.

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Overall

My finished score for this years game will amount to being a 4.5 out of 5 which I consider to be a MUST BUY! If you have any questions or comments regarding the game or my review, please be sure to sign up for the message boards and join in on the Smackdown v.s. Raw 2010 thread under WWE News. Also be sure to check out JG's new audio review of the game that just went up today over on ClubWWI.com .  That's all for this review, stay tuned for more coverage when THQ finally announces any DLC for the game in the near future but until then "Stay Classy!"

Get WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 Right Now!