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WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008

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PS3 boxart of SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 featuring (left to right) John Cena, The Undertaker, and Bobby Lashley.
Developer(s)Yuke's, Amaze Entertainment (DS)
Publisher(s)THQ
SeriesWWE SmackDown vs. Raw series
Platform(s)PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, Wii, Xbox 360, Mobile
ReleasePSP
Genre(s)Professional wrestling, Fighting
Mode(s)Single-player, Multiplayer, Multiplayer online

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008[2] (often shortened to WWE SvR 2008 or SvR '08), is a professional wrestling video game developed by YUKE's Future Media Creators and released on the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS video game consoles by THQ in November 2007.[3] Amaze Entertainment oversaw development for the Nintendo DS version.[4]

The game is the ninth edition of the long-running WWE SmackDown vs. Raw video game series based on the professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It is the sequel to 2006's WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 and is the first SmackDown game to include the promotion's ECW brand.[5] It is also the first WWE game to be available for all seventh generation game consoles. The game will be succeeded by WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 in the fall of 2008.[6]

Gameplay

File:WWE Raw 08 srnsot.jpg
The Undertaker giving Triple H a chokeslam off the cell (Hell in a Cell)

Each wrestler now has two fighting style categories, one primary and one secondary. Each fighting style has its advantages and disadvantages in each particular match type.[7] There are eight styles altogether: high-flyer, hardcore, submission artist, powerhouse, showman, brawler, dirty and technical.[8] [7] In addition, creative manager of THQ Cory Ledesma stated early in production that he planned on having numerous wrestler animations redone.[7]

A new "struggle submission system" has been introduced, incorporating more analog control into the game. The player executing the submission can now decide how much pressure is applied by moving the analog stick in a particular direction. Similarly, the player locked in a submission hold will have to power out also by using the analog stick.[7]

The game features the revived ECW brand, and it takes its place alongside the established Raw and SmackDown! brands. The official box art features the ECW logo prominently. The game's ECW branding has expanded the number of weapons available under the ring during gameplay. New weapons such as guitars are available and tables and barbed wire bats can be set on fire.[9] Despite the inclusion of the brand, the video game franchise will keep its SmackDown! vs. Raw name, although an early logo included "ECW Invasion" in the title. It has been changed, however, to "Featuring ECW" [10]

The game features several arenas that WWE held events at in 2006 and 2007. There are also arenas based on each WWE television show.

Modes

Elijah Burke making his ring entrance

The game allows several different game modes to be played, each with different goals and options. The Season and General Manager Modes of previous games have been merged into the new "WWE 24/7" mode, which takes its name from WWE's video on demand service. Players can choose to play one of the game's included superstars, a created superstar, or as a general manager of one of the brand. Playing as a wrestler, the goal is to take that wrestler and achieve "legend" status. In order to do so, the player has to win matches, team with and feud with other wrestlers, and gain popularity. At the same time, they must choose whether to train, exercise, relax, or take part in other activities when not wrestling, all with their own positive and negative effects.

Playing as a general manager is similar to the previous General Manager modes in the series, in which one has to choose a brand and act as its General Manager (Jonathan Coachman for Raw, Theodore Long for SmackDown!, Tommy Dreamer for ECW), draft a roster and make decisions to make it the most popular brand of the three. The General Manager is allowed to make staffing decisions, schedule workouts and events.[11] There is also an all-new Tournament Mode, which allows the player to control a superstar through the various stages of the WWE tournament, such as Beat The Clock Sprint and King of the Ring, as well as Money in the Bank tournament. The game also allows you to create your own tournament. (This is featured only on the PlayStation 2, Playstation Portable, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.) Like previous games in the series, the game also allows players to challenge for and defend championships.[12] The game includes championships used by the WWE in 2007, bringing back the branded championships from the previous game and for the first time, the ECW Championship.

Roster

SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 features actual superstars from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where, like in WWE, they are sorted by an assigned brand; Raw, ECW, SmackDown!, and the Legends program. Unlike previous editions of the game, the rosters vary according to the platform. The game also has fewer superstars than its predecessors. Many wrestlers are not present in the DS version. However, all versions feature many returning characters. Chris Benoit was announced for the game, but following the double murder-suicide that took place in June of that year, he was immediately removed, along with his taunts, entrance and signature moves such as the diving headbutt and Crippler Crossface.

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Raw

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SmackDown

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ECW


WWE Legends

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Non-Playable Characters

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  1. ^ These superstars are not included in the Nintendo DS version of the video game.
  2. ^ This superstar is exclusive to the Nintendo DS version of the video game.
  3. ^ These superstars are exclusive to the PlayStation Portable version of the video game.
  4. ^ These superstars aren't on GM Mode version of the video game.

Soundtrack

Artist Song
8Ball & MJG "Stand Up"
AM Conspiracy "Right on Time"
AM Conspiracy "Welt"
Chevelle "Well Enough Alone"
Hellyeah "You Wouldn't Know"
Nobody Famous "Go Hard"
Nonpoint "Everybody Down"
Project 86 "Evil (A Chorus of Resistance)"
Project 86 "Put Your Lips to the TV"
Puddle of Mudd "Famous"
Sevendust "Driven"
Sevendust "Feed"

Development

Kane wrestling Rey Mysterio (this was an early photo; in the game, Rey wears a black mask and pants.)

Version differences

The game differs significantly depending on the platform it is played on. These differences are seen first and foremost in the Nintendo DS version of the game. It makes use of the handheld's touch screen feature to control the wrestlers' in-ring actions. This version also includes wireless multiplayer gameplay, as well as training minigames.[13] However, the DS version features a roster of just 21 wrestlers[14] and retains the Season mode of past games rather than receiving the 24/7 or Main Event modes being introduced to other systems.[15] The Xbox 360's hard drive is utilized to allow custom music to be used in the game as entrance music.[16]. The PlayStation 3 version has a first-person view option during the wrestlers' entrances.[17] The Wii version takes advantage of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, using the motion-sensing capabilities to pull off various attacks. For instance, punches and chops are performed by slashing the Wii Remote in different directions. It also includes Mii integration, both on menu screens of Main Event mode and on the HUD during game play.[18]

In addition to exhibition matches and create-a-wrestler, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation versions have a 24/7 mode[11] as its version of a season mode. However, the Wii version has Main Event mode in place of 24/7 mode and does not contain a General Manager mode.

Reception

The game has received average reviews. GameRankings has scores of 82.6%,68.1%,77.0%,71.5%,76.3% and 79.6% respectively for these versions. The game received an 8/10 on Game Informer.

References

  1. ^ "EB Games Australia - PSP - WWE Smackdown Vs Raw 2008". EB Games. Retrieved 2007-10-30.
  2. ^ "THQ WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008". THQ. Retrieved 2007-07-22.
  3. ^ "The Number One Fighting Video Game Franchise Takes on Three New Platforms in WWE(R) SmackDown(R) vs. Raw(R) 2008". THQ. Retrieved 2007-03-31.
  4. ^ Casamassina, Matt (2007-06-09). "Pre-E3 2007: WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008". IGN.com. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  5. ^ "Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 Eyes-on". IGN. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
  6. ^ Miller, Greg (2008-03-27). "WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 is Official". IGN.com. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
  7. ^ a b c d Coleman, Bill. "First Interview: SmackDown vs. Raw 2008". IGN. Retrieved 2007-03-31.
  8. ^ Hunt, Jen. "SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 unveiled". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-31.
  9. ^ "THQ Wii information page". THQ. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
  10. ^ WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 interview. IGN.
  11. ^ a b "WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 24/7 Mode Report". IGN. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
  12. ^ IGN: WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 Image
  13. ^ "THQ Nintendo DS information page". THQ. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
  14. ^ "SmackDown vs. Raw '08 Roster (DS)". IGN. Retrieved September 3. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 First Look". IGN. Retrieved 2007-03-31.
  16. ^ "WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 Progress Report". IGN. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "First person Entrances for PS3 Only". IGN. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ "WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 (Wii) video page". IGN. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
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