WWE Smackdown: Here Comes The Pain (PS2)
Publisher: THQ Developer: Yuke's
The Smackdown series is back, and in full force. The game features tons of current wrestlers, as well as a handful of legends, some of which can to be unlocked through season mode. The fifth in the series, HCTP has more depth than any other Smackdown to date. Let's get right into specifics...
Gameplay: 9.5WWE Smackdown: Here Comes The Pain has excellent gameplay. The buttons are set up very well, and they've even made a few corrections from previous games. The previous Smackdown had a defense system where you had to literally guess which button the computer player was using to perform their move. You had to push square AND guess which direction they were using in order to effectively block the move. This resulted in the player being unable to block most of the moves. The game was pretty hard and frustrating. HCTP immediately corrected that by changing the defense buttons to L2 and R2. L2 blocks strike attacks, and R2 blocks grapple attacks. It's a pretty nice setup. Other than that, the controls in the Smackdown games have been pretty good. Everything is pretty simplistic and straight forward, and you don't have to remember any annoying button combinations. I like that. I just want to watch someone get Rock Bottomed without a lot of hassle. Smackdown makes it very easy.
Besides the in-game controls, the game has many deep options such as the create-a-wrestler feature. It's always been a nice feature, but they really keep outdoing themselves with every game. You can pick and choose every detail for the wrestler, right down to the tattoos and underwear. You can also choose every move the created wrestler can use, and these can be changed if you level up your character in season mode. The only flaw in the entire create-a-wrestler system is that they failed to include a fresh batch of entrances and entrance music. They have like 10 or 15 "original" tunes that can be used for entrance, but they're really just rehashed versions of the "original" songs from the previous Smackdown games.
There's a million gameplay modes including: Ladder Match, TLC, Slobberknocker, First Blood, Elimination Chamber (which is AWESOME), Hell in the Cell, Cage, Hardcore, Bra & Panties, and I Quit, just to name a few. The season mode is pretty fun, and the game takes a long time to get old.
Graphics: 9.5
The graphics are awesome in HTCP. All of the wrestlers look almost completely realistic, with a few minor exceptions. From the entrances, until the end of the match, the game looks almost like you're actually watching wrestling. These are simply the best graphics in a wrestling game to date.
Sound & Music: 8.5
The in-game music is typically annoying in the Smackdown series. Thankfully, they've included a volume adjustment to turn down (or off) the in-game music, while at the same time being able to fully experience the wrestler's entrance.
The commentary has been completely removed, and it is not missed. I did, however, miss the ring announcements as your character walks down the aisle. I wouldn't think that would have been a problem to stick in, but I guess you can't have everything.
The sound effects have really made a great improvement. Maybe I just didn't notice it before, but the effect of someone being slapped, hit with a chair, or slammed to the canvas really changes due to the loud sounds you'll hear (and feel) while playing. The sound effects have made an already good game that much better.
Story: 8
Smackdown: HCTP has an interesting story mode that seems to vary every time you play it. You simply choose a wrestler (or create one) and then choose whether you would like to be on Raw or Smackdown. Once you're there, you can form alliances, make enemies, fight for titles, and even switch shows. It's a slightly different storyline each time, and it adds to the replay factor. Also, playing Season Mode is the only way to unlock additional wrestlers, move sets, and arenas. It's definitely recommended.
Replay Value: 9.5
This game has lots of replay value. If you're tired of season mode, you can always create new (funny looking) wrestlers. If you've got a group of friends to play, you can't go wrong with a Royal Rumble. There's many different match modes, so there's always things you want to try again.
To buy or to rent?If you've never played a Smackdown game, I'd rent it first. If you're a fan of any of the previous games though, just buy it. They've improved on greatness.
Overall: 9.5
It's a great game, and loads of fun to play. It's fun alone, or with friends. Either way, you'll find yourself yelling at the TV. HCTP makes it easy to get wrapped up in the action, and you'll scream for more.
Additional Information:
Genre: Sports/Wrestling
Players: 1-6 (3 or more with Multi-Tap)
Memory Required: 250K
Rating: T (for Teen)
Extras: None
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