WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011
NTSC box art cover for WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 featuring (left to right), Big Show, John Cena and The Miz
Developer(s)	Yuke's
Publisher(s)	THQ
Series	WWE SmackDown vs. Raw
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2 PlayStation 3 PlayStation Portable Wii Xbox 360
Release	NA: October 26, 2010 AU: October 28, 2010 UK: October 29, 2010
Genre(s)	Professional wrestling Fighting
Mode(s)	Single player Multiplayer Multiplayer online

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 (also shortened to WWE SvR 2011) is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by THQ for the PlayStation 2 (PS2), PlayStation 3 (PS3), PlayStation Portable (PSP), Wii and Xbox 360 systems. It is the twelfth game in the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw series, and is the sequel to WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010. It was released on October 26, 2010 in North America, October 28, 2010 in Australia and October 29, 2010 in Europe. The game is based on the two brands of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Raw and SmackDown.

Gameplay

Rey Mysterio vs. Drew Mcintyre vs. John Cena vs. Randy Orton in a TLC Match. The Tables, Ladders and Chairs match features new ways to use and break objects.

One of the main changes in the game is the incorporation of a new physics system that allows objects to be used more realistically, such as objects involved in the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match. Tables now break differently depending on the impact placed upon them. Inside and outside the ring, ladders can now be rested onto the ring ropes and be broken into pieces. For the first time since the original WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw game, chairs can be thrown at the player's opponents.

The Hell in a Cell match was revamped with expanded cell walls, weapons underneath the ring, steel steps near the poles, and the removal of the cell door. In addition, new ways to exit the cell were introduced, such as barreling through the cage wall.

For the first time since WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth, the player can roam freely around the backstage areas in the game's primary story mode, though the ability to roam during matches has not returned to the series. Moves and controls are modified to incorporate new options to perform during and after a move is executed. The strong grapple modifier has been revamped to allow the player to perform more powerful moves on the opponent as the player progresses into the match and wears down the opponent. There are new announce table moves like a moonsault from the ring to the prone opponent.

Roster

Raw Roster

• Alicia Fox
• Batista
• Brie Bella
• Chris Jericho
• David Hart Smith
• Edge
• Evan Bourne
• Eve Torres
• Ezekiel Jackson
• Gail Kim
• Goldust
• John Cena
• John Morrison
• Mark Henry
• Maryse
• Melina
• The Miz
• Natalya
• Nikki Bella
• Primo
• R-Truth
• Randy Orton
• Santino Marella
• Shawn Michaels
• Sheamus
• Ted DiBiase
• Triple H
• Tyson Kidd
• Vladimir Kozlov
• William Regal
• Yoshi Tatsu
• Zack Ryder

SmackDown Roster

• Beth Phoenix
• Big Show
• Chavo Guerrero
• Christian
• CM Punk
• Cody Rhodes
• Dolph Ziggler
• Drew McIntyre
• Finlay
• Hornswoggle
• Jack Swagger
• JTG
• Kane
• Kelly Kelly
• Kofi Kingston
• Luke Gallows
• Matt Hardy
• Michelle McCool
• Mickie James
• Mike Knox
• MVP
• Paul Bearer
• Rey Mysterio
• Shad Gaspard
• Shelton Benjamin
• Undertaker
• Vance Archer

Modes

The game's new "WWE Universe" mode replaces the career mode from previous games. The mode builds storylines, and integrates cut scenes and rivalries between wrestlers based on the matches that are wrestled. These cut scenes appear randomly before, during and even after the match.

Road to WrestleMania mode has been modified to include new features such as backstage roaming, mini-quests, and further interaction with other Superstars. Playable storylines involve Rey Mysterio, John Cena, Christian,and Chris Jericho. Along with that is the new storyline in which players choose Kofi Kingston, John Morrison, Dolph Ziggler, R-Truth, or a created superstar in a quest to end The Undertaker's undefeated WrestleMania streak. Create A Superstar mode now includes pre-loaded attribute points for created superstars, while in Create A Finisher mode, a new finisher position is the "Corner" , in which finishers can be created in corner position (Cannot be used during the Royal Rumble match) . Also attributes such as speed and trajectory can now be modified by single increments rather than 25% increments. The number of available created finishers has been expanded to 130 as well. Online mode also returns - each new copy of the game contains an Online Pass allowing one user to play the game online for free. Players who rent or purchase the game used will obtain a trial of Online Pass.

A new feature called "Match Creator" allows players to create new match types. In addition, Story Designer mode now has new cutscenes, usable sound clips from announcers and wrestler entrance music, support for up to fifteen created superstars, 'branching' story paths depending on which character won the match and the ability to include championship belts in cutscenes and event triggers based on a wrestler reaching a certain state.

Development

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 was first announced along with WWE All Stars at E3 in June 2010 by THQ. A playable demo was featured at E3 with Randy Orton, The Undertaker, Chris Jericho and The Miz as playable characters. It is the first game in the series since WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 not to be released for the Nintendo DS.

Special editions of the game featuring The Undertaker, Bret Hart and Randy Orton were released, each offering exclusive in-game content, an art book and DVD relating to each wrestler. Various retailers offered in-game bonuses to those who pre-ordered the game including a playable Bret Hart, The Undertaker's alternate Ministry of Darkness attire, three alternate outfits for Randy Orton and the WWE Tribute to the Troops arena.

Three downloadable content packs have been confirmed. The first pack, "Online Axxess" was available at release and adds playable character Chris Masters, Halloween-themed attires for Kelly Kelly and Rey Mysterio and online multiplayer mode. The second pack was released in North America and United Kingdom on December 21, 2010. This pack contains the playable characters British Bulldog, Lex Luger, Nexus members Wade Barrett, David Otunga, Justin Gabriel, as well as Layla along with alternate attires for Shad Gaspard and Shawn Michaels and the NXT Arena. The third pack includes alternate attires for John Cena, The Undertaker, Sheamus and CM Punk as well as the WCW Nitro Arena. THQ has offered players a package deal called "Fan Axxess" to purchase the last two content packs beforehand.

On January 25th 2011, Bret Hart was made available as a downloadable character for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 versions. He had been excluded from THQ's "Fan Axxess" package.

Reception

Greg Miller of IGN gave the PS3 and Xbox 360 version of the game an eight out of ten. He praised the game's Universe Mode and the wrestler animations, but criticized the limitations of Road to WrestleMania mode and the inaccurate commentary. In addition, he stated that the grappling system could be "frustrating at times." GameSpot's Chris Watters rated the Xbox 360 version a seven out of ten, lauding the game's customization options, while finding fault with the game's collision detection and the lag during online multiplayer games. He also claimed that the series was starting to "show its age."

GameZone's William Haley criticized the game for not progressing much beyond its predecessors, claiming that the game targeted the "lowest common denominator." He called the WWE Universe feature, online multiplayer mode and creation tools "compelling", but also wrote that "the foundation upon which they are built is so decrepit that it completely invalidates the meager value this game has to offer."

External links

• Official website
• WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 at THQ.com