Full Review for WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006 by John Woodman

Introduction

Time to walk the ring one more time!

Here I am, to talk about another game about the WWE universe. But is that a good game? On a first look this game can be taken as an update of his predecessor, Smackdown! Vs RAW, but it offers more on every aspect, like gameplay and value that you will like it. Keep reading, if you want to know more.

Graphics

Every game they improve the graphic. Smackdown! Vs RAW 2006 is no exception, they scan the wrestler faces, and you can see the results with your own eyes. The only thing I don't like, it's a problem I see every WWE game. I am talking about the "create a wrestler" section. I know that a Playstation 2 has some power limits, but I hate when I see my creation almost perfect, and when it goes to ring is graphically downgraded to spare console power. It's simply frustrating (if you have a lot of created wrestlers like me.)

The arenas are detailed, well done... But they looks exactly like the last year arenas.

Another good addition to the graphic side are the entrances, this year they are very well detailed, and almost all of them are marvellous reproductions of real WWE superstars entrances. With some exceptions, of course (Batista and others).
The create an entrance section this year gives you more tools to prepare a better entrance, allowing you to choose lights, pyros and moves for every section of the stadium. That is a very good thing, but when I prepared my first entrance, it took almost one hour to check every single camera position!

Sound

This time you will hear a lot of voices from your favourite wrestlers, music are very good, and entrance music are reproduced very well, in an almost perfect way. This time is a professional work that won't disappoint you in any way. Unfortunately the commentary can't be described as above. It will give you a bad feeling of repetition, hearing all the times you do a finishing move the same words and phrases repeated over and over again.

Gameplay

Controls are well distributed on the gamepad, and they work fast. The only thing I never liked is the targeting system. Almost every time I try to target a different opponent I target my own partner, or the referee or even the wrong enemy. In a single match it's not a real problem, but on multi-opponent matches, like the Royal Rumble, it's a real pain.

Lastability

No doubt that Smackdown! Vs RAW 2006 is a really great game. So, why I gave only 8 points on gameplay? It's sad to say that, but... If you play that game alone, it's not too fun. The core of the entire game, the season, it's made by only a few episodes. You will play two episodes (not chosen randomly), the Royal Rumble episode, and then the Wrestlemania Episode (and not for all wrestlers, some of them won't be available for season play.) No more, no less. There are no plots like title defence or parties, like Here Comes the Pain (the best season of all WWE games). When I played the game for the first time I was really disappointed of that, and I think it will be the same for you.

The roster is pretty good, a huge selection of WWE superstars and divas like Trish Stratus, the Undertaker, Batista and John Cena. There is also a legend selection that includes Andre the Giant, three (yes, three) almost identical version of the legendary Hulk Hogan, and the usual "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and the Rock. I was disappointed to have three different version of the same wrestler, I think it's a waste of space than can be used for other wrestlers and legends.

Another bad thing it's the idea to put Jake "the Snake" Roberts in the game, but you have to connect your PS2 with a PSP with him unlocked in that, then transfer it to your PS2. Sincerely, I find all this stuff nothing more than a marketing manoeuvre to promote the PSP. Of course, if you have the old PS2 (not the slim version), you can't connect with a PSP, and it's very difficult you will ever see Jake Roberts on your machine.

If you play this game with at least a friend... This changes a lot. I have played with a multi-tap, and four friends, and I can assure you that I had the time of my life! We shouted, insulted each other... We really enjoyed that. Regarding the multiplayer option, I have the old PS2, and I can't play online, so I don't know how is this game online, but a lot of people said me that is slowed down.

There is also a new season type, called General mode. In that season you can arrange your brand by yourself, creating a roster, deciding all the matches every week. You decide your marketing strategies, creating feuds and interfering with the other show. The only thing I don't like is that you can't decide the match results by yourself, so, after all you don't have all the control on the brand you will have as a real General Manager.

Overall

If you want to play this game alone, I suggest you Here Comes the Pain or Smackdown! Vs RAW. But, if you will play this game with some friends, it will give you one of the most
Entertaining experience of your life, for you and all your friends. If you are a fan of the WWE games then you should absolutely try give game, it absolutely worth the effort.

Final Score: 90%