WWE 12

In recent times the previously named Smackdown vs Raw series became stale and predictable, there wasn't much innovation except from the roster update, and this didn't go unnoticed, THQ made it clear in their marketing build up to this game that it would be a revolution and a new start, a different direction for the series  and fittingly they changed the name for the first time in since "WWE Smackdown Here Comes The Pain" back in 2003, so much was expected of this new iteration, but did it live up to the hype it garnered? 

In fact that is an hard question to answer because this game is so good in areas but so bad in others. Starting with the positives as ever, this game has gone out of its way to splinter itself from its predecessors, everything has changed, the user interface is different, the in-match camera angles have been changed and modified, and most importantly the fighting system has evolved into a fluid fast paced experience. 

CM Punk's new attire features in this game

The new combat system in this game is a major plus point, and has genuinely been redefined and modernised, gone are the days of each grapple being unbreakable, this simple addition to the grappling system adds so much more excitement to each match, for example if your setting some one up for a running finishing move such as the Brogue Kick as Sheamus begins to run you can run at him with another character and Spear him and score a pinfall, this is especially exciting in matches with more superstars on the highest difficulty. The way you enter the grapples has also been modified, you no longer use the right analogue stick to enter a grapple but instead us the (A) button which is a lot more intuitive and feels more natural to the player. 

Realism is a concept that runs through the blood of game, each aspect of WWE 12 has the main focus of making the game more realistic and more like real WWE matches, this is extended to even the new camera angles, they are dynamic and will act on what is happening in the ring (or on top of a cage) there are special camera effects and slowdowns for thing such as finishing moves, there is no better feeling than seeing Randy Orton's Punt Kick in slow motion, the fluid camera motion subliminally keeps the action flowing and ensures for a fast paced bout. 

An example of the new graphics 

One thing that ever gamer looks for in every game are the graphics and these too have been improved in this game, the superstar likeness is like no other WWE game, they have revamped each character to match exactly how they look, taking into consideration tattoos, scars and exact body shape. Each character also has the correct and up to date attire and more impressively have lifelike movement when walking to the ring and moving in the ring. In this game you do feel like the superstar that you are playing, if your playing as the Big Show you feel physically slower than a high flyer such as Rey Mysterio but on the flip side you can feel you superior strength with every move you hit.

The level of creativity is immense 

Creativity was pushed heavily during the marketing for this game and was the focus of many interviews by people associated with the game and rightly so because this game has taken creativity to the next level, the amount you achieve in such little time is scary (but in a good way). All the creations that have been retained from the previous game have been improved, creating a custom superstar is now more fun because there are more things you can do to make him/her unique to you, and you do feel when you finish making your superstar that he is something unique as special. Creating a move set for your new created superstar has also changed for the better and there are now new categories for moves such as Royal Rumble special moves and Ladder special moves.

These improvements continue throughout all the creative option so I will move on the what is new creativity wise and that is the ability to create your very own story. Anybody who grew watching the old WWF with the legends such as The Rock, Austin, Angle, Michaels, Guerrero, Hogan etc would have dreamed of making their own matches and story lines with their favourite wrestlers and in this game you can. You can have any modern day superstar enter into a story line against any other, you could have kane trying to take his brothers streak at Wrestlemania, or you can have John Cena turn heel a rebel against the fans who have booed him for so long by taking out superstars, the possibilities are endless in this regard. 

Many of the improvements I've mentioned in regards to this game have been technical, such as the camera angles or the fighting mechanics but where this game begins to fall down is not with the technicals but with the fundamentals and this brings me to the Road To Wrestlemania (RTW) mode, which for those of you who aren't family with WWE games is essentially the main story mode, it tends to pick certain superstars and play out a story with them which climaxes with a match at Wrestlemania for said character and this year isn't much different, except for one small change, they have completely ruined it. I will call the Road to Wrestlemania

Alternative 

Alternative

My verdict on this game is one that I found hard to come to, I mean how do you view a game that has such a bad fundamental problem but has so many great improvements, its like looking a new sports car, it has massive shiny rims, a neat body kit, 200mph on the clock but has no doors or steering wheel. I just can't overlook such a big issue and I promise to always be honest about every game I review so in my honest opinion the flaw in the story mode is too bigger obstacle to over look so I must say I'm disappointed in this game.


7.1/10                                Buy or Rent .... Rent